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Director Of Production Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Skyways

Director of Production

Austin, TX · On-site

We are looking for a Director of Production to take us from low-rate builds to a true production system. This role owns everything required to make aircraft that don't just fly once, but fly every ...

Shield AI

Director of Production (R4782)

Dallas, TX · On-site

$190K - $290K/yr

Shield AI is seeking a Director of Production to lead our U.S.-based manufacturing operations and help scale the future of autonomous defense systems. You'll drive execution across factory floor ...

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Director Of Production information

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How much do director of production jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of production in the United States is $107,478.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,000.00 and $129,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Director Of Production vs Production Manager?

AspectDirector Of ProductionProduction Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire production department, strategic planning, and high-level decision makingManages daily production operations, schedules, and team coordination
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in related field, experience in production roles, leadership skillsBachelor's degree or equivalent, experience in production management, technical skills
Work EnvironmentExecutive offices, production facilities, cross-department collaborationFactory or studio floor, production sites, team supervision

The main difference between a Director Of Production and a Production Manager lies in scope and strategic involvement. The Director Of Production focuses on high-level planning and overseeing multiple projects or departments, while the Production Manager handles daily operations and team management. Both roles require relevant experience and technical knowledge, but the Director's role is more strategic and leadership-oriented.

What are the main challenges a director of production faces when managing large-scale projects across multiple teams?

A Director of Production often navigates complex challenges such as balancing tight production schedules, coordinating resources across diverse departments, and ensuring consistent communication between creative, technical, and operational teams. Managing shifting priorities and unforeseen issues—like supply chain delays or last-minute changes—requires strong problem-solving and leadership skills. Additionally, fostering collaboration and maintaining high morale among team members are key to delivering successful projects on time and within budget.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of production, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director Of Production, you need strong leadership, project management, and operational expertise, often supported by a relevant bachelor’s degree and substantial industry experience. Familiarity with production planning software, ERP systems, and lean manufacturing methodologies is typically required. Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and team-building skills help drive efficiency and foster a positive work environment. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring seamless production processes, meeting business goals, and maintaining high-quality standards.

What does a director of production do?

A Director of Production oversees all aspects of the production process within an organization, ensuring that products or projects are completed efficiently, on time, and within budget. They manage production teams, coordinate schedules, and implement quality control standards. Additionally, they work closely with other departments such as logistics, procurement, and engineering to optimize workflow and address any issues that arise during production. Their leadership is critical to maintaining high production standards and meeting organizational goals.
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What cities are hiring for Director Of Production jobs? Cities with the most Director Of Production job openings:
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What states have the most Director Of Production jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Of Production jobs include:
Director Of Production jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Production job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,478 per year, or $51.7 per hour.

Director of Production

Skyways

Austin, TX • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

Skyways designs, builds, and operates fully autonomous long-range cargo aircraft. Founded in 2017, the company has spent the last eight years developing and deploying autonomous logistics systems for real-world operations.

Our V2 aircraft carries 30 lbs up to 500 miles, while our next-generation V3 carries 100 lbs over 1,000+ miles with 20+ hours of endurance. Both use a hybrid-electric architecture that takes off like a helicopter and cruises like a plane, enabling long-range autonomous delivery without traditional runway infrastructure.

Today, Skyways aircraft operate across three continents in controlled national airspace under FAA oversight and in support of U.S. military operations. We are transitioning from prototype development to full-rate production and scaling toward large autonomous cargo fleets.

Backed by Y Combinator and a $37M AFWERX STRATFI award from the U.S. Air Force, Skyways is creating a new form of transportation to advance our civilization from Austin, Texas.

The Opportunity

Skyways is building autonomous aircraft that are already flying real missions. The next challenge is not proving it works. It’s building it reliably, repeatedly, and at scale.

We are looking for a Director of Production to take us from low-rate builds to a true production system. This role owns everything required to make aircraft that don’t just fly once, but fly every time.

You will build the production system, not inherit one. That includes the factory, the processes, the team, and the operating cadence. This is a hands-on leadership role where execution matters more than strategy slides.

What You’ll Do:

  • Take aircraft from low-rate builds to repeatable, scalable production

  • Stand up manufacturing systems that actually run under real conditions

  • Build, staff, and lead production, manufacturing engineering, and quality as one organization, including hiring, development, and the management layer beneath you

  • Own headcount planning and budget for the production function

  • Work side-by-side with engineering to close the gap between design and build

  • Drive daily execution on the floor. Identify what's breaking and fix it fast

  • Own throughput, yield, cost, and schedule. Be accountable when they miss

  • Build supply chain that can support aggressive production targets, not just prototypes

  • Reduce BOM cost without compromising reliability

  • Establish a production cadence that increases speed without losing control

  • Ensure compliance with ITAR, safety, and quality requirements without slowing the team down

  • Represent production on the leadership team and in board, customer, and investor conversations

What You’ll Bring:

  • You have personally led a production ramp for a complex hardware system

  • You have built and led production organizations, including hiring and developing managers, not just engineers

  • You have owned a function's headcount and budget and made the tradeoffs that come with it

  • You have built manufacturing processes that were used daily, not just designed on paper

  • You have been accountable for output. Throughput, yield, cost, and delivery

  • You have worked in environments where things were unclear and still moved them forward

  • You are comfortable on the floor, in the build, and in the details when needed

  • You can push engineering, supply chain, and operations to align and deliver

  • You know how to move fast without letting quality collapse

Bonus Points:

  • Built a factory or production line from scratch

  • Experience in regulated environments (FAA, DoD, etc.)

  • Deep experience with DFM, yield improvement, and reliability in the field

  • You thrive in ambiguity and love solving problems no one has solved before

Want to join our mission? Apply to learn more!

Due to U.S. government contract requirements, this role is limited to U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or candidates from specific countries authorized under applicable export control regulations.

Skyways is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other factor protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.