Prototype Supervisor
Job Summary:
A Prototype Supervisor will support and guide manufacturing operations by coordinating team activities, ensuring production efficiency, assembling components, and upholding quality and safety standards. This is aworking leadposition, combining hands-on Prototype and Pre-Production responsibilities with team leadership and oversight. The ideal candidate willdemonstratestrong technical skills, leadership capability, and the ability to drive team performance in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Responsibilities and Duties:
- Lead a small cross-functional team of Engineering Technicians, providing hands-on daily support to develop and mentor team members.
- Host daily stand-up meetings to ensure goals are communicated clearly to technician team
- Daily reporting of manufacturing status and goals to key stakeholders, including Program Management and Prototype Manager
- Work with Prototype Manager and Program Manager to schedule overtime as required to ensure program needs are met
- Conduct annual performance reviews for direct reports.
- Approve timecards and ensure compliance with break and lunch regulations.
- Partner with HR to manage employee performance, including disciplinary actions and recognition programs.
- Awareness and ownership of build schedule and product completion status throughout lifecycle
- Ensure team has necessary raw materials, tools, consumables, and equipment to meet daily deliverables.
- Track training and skill development within the team tomaintainrequired levels of skillset redundancy across programs.
- Identify and escalate roadblocks, production or material issues, acting as a liaison between the Engineering Technicians, Prototype Manager, Engineering Build Manager and the Program Manager.
- Work with Prototype Manager to escalate Engineering Technician resource needs across projects to ensure schedule adherence
- Ensure team follows written work instructions to assemble and document thebuildof each assembly, following AS9100 standards and Project requirements
- Help create and review update process specific builddocumentation and provide engineering feedback to ensure future manufacturability of assemblies
- Ensure team adheres to safety requirements and promote a safety-first culture
- Support engineering with Prototype and Pre-LRIP manufacturing redlines and updates to technical drawings and provide design feedback as required
- Lead by example, promote and maintain a culture of trust and respect for all ESAero employees
- Support other functions of the company depending on skills, workload and prioritization
Required Qualifications and Skills:
- 5+ years of hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment or equivalent.
- Proven track record leading cross functional teams, resource allocation and management
- Strong technical aptitude, includingproficiencyin wiring, soldering, parts fabrication, and assembly.
- Ability to interpret and follow written instructions, schematics, and technical documentation.
- Strong collaboration skills with the ability toremain calm andprofessional in a fast-paced environment.
- Self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple tasks and work with minimal supervision.
- Strong work ethic, reliability, and ability to meet daily manufacturing goals.
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Ability to work onsite asrequired.
DesiredQualifications and Skills:
- 6-10+ years of industry experience, including leading small manufacturing teams
- 6-10+ years of experience in a dynamic, fast-paced manufacturingenvironment
- Experienceoperatingin an ISO 9001 or AS9100 quality environment
- Excellent aptitude for critical thinking and problem solving, with a strong attention to detail
- Excellent communication skills with an ability to collaborate and remain professional in a fast-paced environment
- Self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple tasks and work with minimal supervision.
- Excellent work ethic and attendance
- Ability to flex work schedule and support overtime to accommodate project needs
- Technical writing experience
Comprehensive Benefits & Perks:
- Health & Wellness:Choose from three health, dental, and vision plans - including a100% employer-paid optioncovering both employees and their families.
- Paid Time Off:Enjoy120 hours of PTO, 80 hoursaccruedplus anadditional40 hours of holiday break payin addition to Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day off.
- Life Insurance:$25,000 employer-paid life insurance policy, with theoptiontopurchaseadditionalcoverage for employees and their families.
- Supplemental Coverage:Access optional benefits such as Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, and Critical Illness with Skin Cancer coverage.
- Health Savings Account (HSA):Take advantage of a tax-advantaged HSA to manage medical expenses.
- Retirement Savings:401(k) with a company matchto support your financial future.
- Paid Holidays:Enjoy 9paid holidays throughout the year.
- Work Environment:A casual dress code, complimentary snacks,and a welcoming company culture.
- Ideal Location:Work in an area that offers an outstanding quality of life -a perfect place to live, work, and play!
Company Overview
Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc (ESAero) is a leader in aerospace engineering, product development, and manufacturing, dedicated to delivering high-quality, innovative, and cost-effective solutions to the industry. We specialize incutting-edgesystem design, rapid product development, precision manufacturing, comprehensive testing, and technology demonstrations to support the evolving needs of the aerospace community. Committed to excellence, on-time delivery, and continuous growth, we invest in infrastructure to expand our manufacturing and aftermarket capabilities whilemaintainingthe highest standards of engineering services.
At ESAero, wedon'tjust build products, we engineer solutions that propel
the aerospace industry forward.
**This position is fully on-site at ESAero in San Luis Obispo, CA**
ESAerois an equal opportunity employer.
E-Verify participationrequiredfor employment.
All ESAero positions require US citizenship or US resident status.
Must be able to pass background checkand drug test.
Hiring Range:$80k-94k Salary/Exempt