Director of Production

Who we are

Helsing develops artificial intelligence-enabled capabilities to protect and defend democracies.  We are growing our US operations, cultivating an ambitio u s and committed team of mission-driven professionals to apply their skills to solve challenging problems.  

The role

You will serve as the operational architect during a pivotal growth phase — standing up and scaling US-based production capabilities, driving manufacturing excellence, and partnering directly with executive leadership to deliver AI-enabled defense products to the warfighter. This is more than managing assembly lines;  it's  an opportunity to make a tangible impact in the Defense Tech space while building production infrastructure from the ground up and navigating the unique complexities of manufacturing and AI. If you thrive in fast-paced, high-stakes environments where your work directly enables breakthrough technologies for the warfighter, we want to hear from you.  

The day-to-day

• Lead the stand-up and scaling of US manufacturing operations, establishing production lines, workflows, quality systems, and facility infrastructure  

• Develop and execute the production strategy aligned with program milestones, government contract deliverables, and company growth objectives  

• Implement production processes for AI-enabled hardware systems, ensuring repeatability, quality, and compliance with defense manufacturing standards  

• Build, mentor, and scale a high-performing production team — including manufacturing engineers, technicians, quality inspectors, and production planners — capable of supporting rapid growth  

• Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Supply Chain, Program Management, Contracts, and Finance to ensure production alignment on government contracts  

• Establish and manage quality management systems (QMS) compliant with AS9100, ISO 9001, and applicable DoD manufacturing requirements  

• Own production KPIs and reporting, including yield, throughput, cost-per-unit, on-time delivery, and defect rates, and present board-level updates that drive executive decision-making  

• Collaborate with the supply chain and procurement teams to design cost-efficient sourcing strategies that satisfy federal and/or state procurement requirements, including managing tariff exposure on imported goods and materials   

• Ensure full compliance with SSA governance requirements, maintaining appropriate separation protocols while optimizing production operations across the organization   

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies to reduce waste, improve cycle times, and increase production capacity  

• Manage relationships with contract manufacturers, tooling vendors, and facility partners to supplement and scale internal production capabilities  

• Support CAPEX planning and facility buildout in partnership with Finance, ensuring sound investment frameworks for equipment, tooling, and infrastructure   

• Ensure workplace safety and regulatory compliance across all production environments, including OSHA, environmental, and cleared facility requirements  

You should apply if you

• You have 10+ years of progressive manufacturing/production experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership role overseeing production operations  

• You've operated within the Automotive, Aerospace, Defense, or National Security technology sector and understand the nuances of government contract deliverables, ITAR/EAR, and defense manufacturing requirements  

• You've built or scaled production functions at a startup or high-growth company and know how to balance scrappiness with rigor   

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