Senior Technical Director, Advanced Manufacturing

Voyager is an innovative defense, national security and space technology company committed to advancing and delivering transformative, mission-critical solutions. We tackle the most complex challenges to unlock new frontiers for human progress, fortify national security, and protect critical assets to lead in the race for technological and operational superiority from ground to space.

Forge the Future: Join Voyager Technologies

The future belongs to those who build it. At Voyager Technologies, we’re building technologies that protect lives, expand frontiers and prepare us for what’s next. And we’re doing that with people who are wired to solve, build, adapt and lead. These roles are not for the faint of heart. 

You’ll help lay the foundation for humanity's future. Join a culture where innovation thrives, curiosity is rewarded, and impact is real. We’re a company of doers, thinkers and builders, united by purpose and grounded in reality.

If you want to put your skills to work where the stakes are real and the mission is bigger than any one person, forge the future with Voyager.

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Job Summary:

We are seeking a Senior Technical Director, Advanced Manufacturing to pioneer the "Factory of the Future" for Voyager Technologies. In this role, you will not just optimize existing production lines; you will conceptualize and build entirely new manufacturing paradigms that leverage modern AI, automation, and data-driven feedback loops.

We are seeking a visionary leader who can define the future of advanced manufacturing across Voyager's diverse engineering disciplines, specifically focusing on Mission Critical Electronics, Propulsion Systems, and Critical Chemicals. The ideal individual is tired of legacy aerospace manufacturing processes and is eager to embrace modern AI tooling, robotics, and intelligent automation to define entirely new systems for manufacturing and production.

This position represents a shift from traditional "Operations" to "Manufacturing Strategy & Engineering." It requires a leader who views the manufacturing system as a product itself—one that must be architected, iterated upon, and scaled using software-defined principles to reduce cost and increase velocity.

You will be joining the Advanced Technology Development team, a specialized unit within our Strategic Growth and Technology Organization. This team is responsible for defining and developing Voyager's future technologies, with a relentless focus on high-impact, high-ROI technology and product research and development. Our technology portfolio spans the totality of Voyager's capabilities and beyond—we are tasked with creating both leap-ahead capabilities in existing technology areas and strategically moving into and developing foundational technology in new, uncharted areas.

Responsibilities:

• Architect Future Manufacturing Systems: Define the strategic roadmap for Voyager’s next-generation manufacturing capabilities. You will lead the design of automated, AI-enabled production environments that can seamlessly switch between high-mix/low-volume prototypes and scaled production.

• Drive AI & Automation Integration: Lead the implementation of modern AI tooling to revolutionize production. This includes deploying computer vision for automated quality assurance, using ML for predictive maintenance on propulsion production lines, and utilizing generative design for tooling and fixturing.

• Cross-Disciplinary Unification: Create a unified manufacturing strategy that spans vastly different domains—from the clean-room precision required for mission-critical electronics to the safety and chemical engineering rigor required for propulsion and energetics.

• Bridge R&D to Production: Influence the design phase (DFM/DFA) to ensure that technologies developed in the lab (TRL 3-6) have a viable, scalable path to mass manufacturing, specifically for complex chemical and mechanical systems.

• Digital Thread Implementation: Champion the development of a robust "digital thread" that connects engineering CAD/PLM data directly to shop floor automation and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), ensuring real-time visibility and traceability.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.

• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a US Government clearance (requires US citizenship)

• Advanced Manufacturing Leadership: 10+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering or operations leadership within high-complexity hardware industries (Aerospace, Defense, Automotive, or Semiconductor).

• Multi-Disciplinary Technical Depth: Proven experience managing diverse manufacturing processes, specifically including at least one of the following: electronics assembly (PCBA/Box build), chemical processing/energetics, or precision mechanical assembly.

• Automation & Robotics: Demonstrated experience deploying automated manufacturing cells, robotics, or software-defined manufacturing systems. You understand how to balance manual tradecraft with automated efficiency.

• Modern Tech Stack Familiarity: Experience with modern manufacturing software stacks (MES, PLM, ERP) and an understanding of how data engineering and AI/ML can be applied to solve production bottlenecks.

• Strategic Process Development: Proven ability to develop new manufacturing processes from scratch for novel technologies where no standard process previously existed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.

• Experience productizing advanced R&D into monetizable commercial motions.

• Active U.S. Top Secret Security Clearance.

• Willingness to travel up to 25% to manufacturing sites and supplier facilities.

Voyager offers a comprehensive, total compensation package, which includes competitive salary, a discretionary annual bonus plan, paid time off (PTO), a comprehensive health benefit package, retirement savings, wellness program, and various other benefits. When you join our team, you’re not just an employee; you become part of a dynamic community dedicated to innovation and excellence.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Voyager is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. 

Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran

The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general content and requirements for performance of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work within the framework of this job description at any time without prior notice.

California pay range
$225,000—$275,000 USD

Washington DC pay range
$225,000—$275,000 USD

Washington pay range
$225,000—$275,000 USD