Software Engineering Manager Jobs in Kalispell, MT

Nomad Global Communication Solutions (Nomad GCS) is a leading provider of communication and response products serving a wide variety of customers. Our purpose is to be the solution when every minute matters. We seek a candidate that is self-inspired to learn and demonstrates a high degree of customer service while positively contributing to our team.

The Industrial Engineers (IEs) at Nomad GCS are responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing scalable production systems that support Nomad’s primary vehicle/product assembly operations. This includes the development of main vehicle assembly lines, creation of feeder cells that support those lines, and the continuous improvement of material flow, labor utilization, and production efficiency. IEs focus on system-level production architecture — ensuring that the right work happens at the right station, at the right time, with the right resources. Being able to learn on-the-fly is required. All solutions must adhere to or exceed Nomad’s standards of safety, efficiency, quality, and scalability.

Career Growth: Advancement is based on measurable improvements to throughput, cost, scalability, and production stability. Industrial Engineers progress through five levels based on demonstrated capability in:

• Feeder cell integration
• Capacity modeling
• Production flow architecture
• Lean implementation
• Leadership and organizational impact

Organizational Structure: Nomad Engineering is organized into Teams and Disciplines within the Innovative Solutions Division.

• Teams:
  • Team 1 - Standards and Modularity: Builds and maintains engineering standards, modules, templates, and rules enabling repeatability and scale.
  • Team 2 - Design: Executes project-level engineering using established standards and less complex custom configurations.
  • Team 3 - Advanced: Develops novel systems and resolves first-of-kind engineering challenges.
  • Team 4 - Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering: Ensures manufacturability, safety, engineering intent, efficiency, and continuous improvement throughout Production.
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Software Engineering
• Manufacturing (MFE) & Industrial Engineering (IE) (where this role is located)

Industrial Engineers operate primarily within Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering (Team 4), collaborating closely with:

• ISG - Standards & Modularity (Team 1)
• Supply Chain
• Quality Assurance
• Program Management

Team 4 contains both IEs and MFEs. These roles are differentiated in that the IEs are to focus on how we build it efficiently and at scale, whereas the MFEs are to focus on how we build the product correctly and repeatably.

Basic Knowledge Desired – All Levels:

• Industrial engineering principles (time studies, work measurement, line balancing, takt time analysis) .
• Facility layout and material flow optimization .
• Capacity planning and production modeling .
• ERP/MRP systems .
• Data analysis (Excel required, others encouraged) .
• Production economics and cost analysis .
• Understanding of fabrication, welding, mechanical assembly processes .
• Strong cross-functional communication skills .
• Demonstrated alignment with Nomad Core Values .

Core Responsibilities – All Levels:

• Design and implement scalable vehicle/product assembly lines .
• Develop feeder cells to support main line flow .
• Perform line balancing based on takt time and demand forecasts .
• Conduct time studies and labor utilization analysis .
• Optimize material presentation and flow to point-of-use .
• Analyze and improve production capacity constraints .
• Support layout redesigns to improve throughput and safety .
• Analyze production data to identify bottlenecks .
• Support new product introductions with line integration planning .
• Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineers to ensure manufacturable designs .
• Travel as needed .
• Perform additional duties as assigned .

Industrial Engineer – Entry / Developing

• Assist in time studies and line balance analysis .
• Participate in layout planning and workstation design .
• Learn takt-based production planning .
• Support feeder cell documentation and setup .
• Exposure to multiple vehicle full-build cycles (at least 5) .
• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering or related field OR 0–2 years ’ experience .

Primary Focus: Learning production flow fundamentals
Progression Signal: Accurately collects and analyzes production data and supports measurable improvements

Industrial Engineer ll – Independent Contributor

• Independently conduct time studies and labor analysis .
• Develop line balancing models based on takt time .
• Design and optimize feeder cells supporting main assembly line .
• Create and maintain documentation for Line/Flow functions
• Support capacity planning for mid-term production forecasts .
• 2–5 years industrial/manufacturing engineering experience

Primary Focus: Reliable line optimization and execution

Progression Signal: Improves line efficiency, reduces imbalance, and supports stable throughput

Industrial Engineer lll – Advanced / System-Level

• Lead development of full vehicle assembly lines .
• Architect feeder cell integration strategy .
• Perform facility layout redesigns to improve flow .
• Identify and eliminate production bottlenecks .
• Develop scalable production models supporting growth .
• Conduct cost-per-unit analysis and labor optimization modeling .
• 5–8 years industrial/manufacturing engineering experience

Primary Focus: System-level production architecture
Progression Signal: Designs lines that run predictably at planned takt with reduced disruption

Industrial Engineer I l V – Senior / Technical Lead

• Own production flow strategy across multiple vehicle platforms .
• Define standard methodology for line and feeder cell design .
• Lead capacity expansion initiatives .
• Drive automation feasibility analysis .
• Influence facility layout planning and capital investment decisions .
• Coach and mentor industrial engineering team .
• 8–12+ years industrial engineering leadership experience .

Primary Focus: Platform-level scalability and architecture
Progression Signal: Delivers sustainable throughput improvements across departments

Industrial Engineer V – Principal / Strategic Leader

• Develop scalable line strategies for multi-year growth .
• Drive automation, modular production, and digital manufacturing adoption .
• Translate business demand forecasts into facility and staffing strategies .
• Influence capital allocation and expansion strategy .
• Mentor senior leaders and engineers .
• 12+ years organizational-level industrial engineering leadership .

Primary Focus: Enterprise-level production strategy
Progression Signal: Shapes how Nomad builds at scale

Basic Knowledge Progression:

• Level I: Foundational time studies and standard work
• Level ll : Line balancing and feeder cell execution
• Level lll : System-level flow and bottleneck elimination
• Level IV: Platform-level scalability and capital planning
• Level V: Enterprise-level production strategy and growth architecture

Visual Progression Ladder:

Level

Scope

Authority

I

Workstation-Level

Improves task consistency

II

Independent analysis

III

Full Line-Level

System architect

Eliminates bottlenecks

IV

Multi-Line / Platform-Level

Technical leader

V

Enterprise-Level

Strategic authority

Physical Demands:

• Ability to stand and sit for extended periods
• Occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Manual dexterity to operate office and manufacturing equipment
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally
  • Ability to speak and hear
  • Vision requirements include close and distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception
  • Ability to work in office, shop, and vehicle environments as needed
  • Ability to work safely around energized systems when required
  • Must be able to travel as needed on occasion
• Combination of office, production floor, vehicle-based, and exterior environments
• Exposure to manufacturing noise, electrical equipment, and testing environments
• PPE required when entering production or testing areas
• Exposure to household and commercial chemicals
• Everyday workwear must be business casual/smart casual, appropriate for the office environment, including when traveling and working off-site

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering or related field – ABET accredited preferred
• Equivalent education and experience may be considered
• Experience with production system design
• Experience conducting time studies and line balancing
• Proficiency in software for modeling (mathematical and physical) as required for this position
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems
• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race,color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy,genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicablefederal, state, and local laws.

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