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Head of Manufacturing

JetZero · Greensboro, NC

Apply on JetZero ↗
Level
Director+
Team
Manufacturing
Base pay
$270k–$300k
Experience asked
15+ years
Industry
Aerospace & defense
Posted
30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A director-level manufacturing role at JetZero (aerospace & defense) in Greensboro, NC. Implement a quality management system and support processes which will enable JetZero to receive FAA Production Certification concurrent with FAA Type Certification of the production aircraft.

They ask for
15+ years
Tools it names
Lean, AS9100, Automation, Capacity planning, Tooling, EHS / safety
Base pay
$270k–$300k
Day to day
some off-shift / weekend coverage

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026

Manufacturing Engineer roles in North Carolina: typical posted base $128k–$150k. This one lists $270k–$300k.

Median of the low and high ends of 14 live postings that list pay, out of 43 manufacturing engineer openings in North Carolina, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

North Carolina plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 42 other live manufacturing postings in North Carolina.

Base pay
About 138% above similar roles

Typical $97k–$143k, from 12 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
More than usual (15+ vs 4+)

Similar roles usually ask 4+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ Tooling 49%
  • ✓ Lean 37%
  • Root cause 30%
  • New product launch 30%
  • Team leadership 28%
  • ✓ Automation 26%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for Capacity planning, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 15+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coverage

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

  1. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at JetZero

    Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.

  2. 2

    Send a short, curious note

    One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.

  3. 3

    Turn a reply into a short call

    Questions worth asking about this team:

    • What does a normal week look like on your team?
    • Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
    • How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
    • How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
    • How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 4

    Apply with someone vouching for you

    If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.

  5. 5

    Bring proof to the interview

    One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

Full description from JetZeroAs posted on their careers site.Show

Preferred Skills & Experience

  • ✓Experience with composite structures, large-scale assembly.
  • ✓Prior leadership in a startup or early-stage industrial environment.
  • ✓Familiarity with digital twin and model-based manufacturing systems.
Show full description ↓

What is JetZero ?

Today’s aircraft contribute around 4% of global CO2 emissions, equivalent to the emissions of 200 million cars. This is only going to increase: Air travel is forecasted to double by 2050, while meaningful efficiency gains using current airplanes have hit a wall.

JetZero is developing a b lended - wing body (BWB) aircraft . It uses up to 50% less fuel and will be built to accommodate zero-emission hydrogen propulsion. JetZero is the inevitable solution to sustainable air travel.

The JetZero Team

We are experienced aerospace professionals and engineers, excited about the future. That future will only be possible if we share our vision and what it means to people’s lives: carbon-free flight that ' i s better for both passengers and airlines around the world .

The Head of Manufacturing & Quality will be responsible for leading all aspects of production operations at JetZero. This senior leadership role will establish the manufacturing strategy, oversee facility ramp-up, and drive the transition from prototype to full-scale production. The ideal candidate combines deep aerospace manufacturing experience with a passion for innovation, operational excellence, and team leadership. The candidate will have successfully demonstrated the ability to create and implement a high-performance aerospace manufacturing organization and production system leveraging advanced manufacturing technologies.

This role reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer and will be based onsite in Greensboro, NC.

Strategic Leadership

  • •Develop and execute the manufacturing strategy for JetZero’s blended wing aircraft program, including production planning, quality, safety, and cost efficiency.
  • •Build a world-class manufacturing organization, recruiting and developing top talent across production, maintenance, and engineering disciplines.
  • •Create and champion a culture of operational excellence throughout all aspects of JetZero.
  • •Partner with executive leadership on capacity planning, factory layout, and long-term operational scalability.

Operations & Execution

  • •Lead startup and ramp-up of the Greensboro production facilities, including commissioning of production lines, tooling, and automation systems.
  • •Implement lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement systems to maximize throughput, yield, and reliability.
  • •Oversee manufacturing engineering, supply chain integration, materials management, and logistics to ensure seamless operations.
  • •Ensure regulatory compliance with FAA, OSHA, and environmental standards.
  • •Implement a quality management system and support processes which will enable JetZero to receive FAA Production Certification concurrent with FAA Type Certification of the production aircraft.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • •Work closely with Design, Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to ensure manufacturability and design-to-cost alignment.
  • •Drive integration between digital manufacturing systems, ERP, and quality management tools.
  • •Serve as a key liaison with local and state stakeholders to support workforce development and community engagement in partnership with JetZero’s Government Affairs and HR.
  • •Responsible for budgetary performance of all manufacturing operations including capital expenditures associated with bringing the production facilities on-line in collaboration with Corporate Finance.

What You Bring

  • •15+ years of experience in aerospace or advanced manufacturing, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
  • •Proven record of leading greenfield manufacturing site development and high-rate production ramp-ups.
  • •Expertise in lean production, advanced manufacturing technologies, and automation systems.
  • •Strong understanding of aerospace quality systems (AS9100, FAA Part 21, etc.).
  • •Demonstrated ability to build and scale large, cross-disciplinary teams.

Benefits

  • •Generous PTO
  • •12 paid holidays
  • •401(k)
  • •Medical, Dental, Vision
  • •Disability Insurance
  • •Life Insurance
  • •Equity tax advisory services
  • •Supportive work culture

Pay Range

$270,000 — $300,000 USD

The Interview Process

We want our interview process to be a true reflection of our culture: transparent and collaborative. Throughout the interview process, your recruiter will guide you through the next steps and ensure you feel prepared every step of the way.

  • •Our First Chat: During this first conversation, you’ll meet with a recruiter or hiring team member to chat through your background, what you could bring to our team, what you are looking for in your next role, and who we are.
  • •The Hiring Manager Interview : You will meet with your potential future boss to really dive into the role, the team, expectations, and what success means at JetZero. This is your chance to really nerd out with someone in your field.
  • •The Panel : Learn more about the team, responsibilities, and workflows. You should be prepared to speak about past projects, how you collaborate and communicate with others, and how you live our values. Depending on the team and role you are interviewing for, you may meet with several teammates as well as cross-functional partners.
  • •The Executive Review : A chance to meet an executive and view JetZero from a different lens. Be prepared to ask well-thought-out questions about the company, culture, and more.

Depending on the position you are interviewing for, there may also be a

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