Manufacturing Training Manager I/II

Job description

At Zone 5 Technologies, we're redefining what's possible in unmanned aircraft systems. Our team of engineers and innovators is developing cutting-edge autonomous solutions that push the boundaries of UAS technology - solving complex challenges that matter. We're building the future of UAS capabilities, and we're looking for exceptional talent to join us. If you're driven by hard problems, energized by rapid innovation, and ready to make an impact on next-generation flight systems, you belong here. Manufacturing Training Manager I: The Manufacturing Training Manager I leads the Manufacturing Training & Readiness function and owns the execution and continuous improvement of Zone5 Foundations, our standardized manufacturing onboarding and production-readiness program. This role is responsible for building a consistent and scalable approach to manufacturing onboarding, technical training, on-the-job training (OJT), employee qualification, cross-training, skill matrices, and workforce readiness. The Manufacturing Training Manager partners closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, MES, EHS, HR, and Operations to ensure employees are prepared to safely and effectively support aerospace production across multiple programs, value streams, and shifts. The role will also support implementation of Zone5 Foundations and standardized training practices at designated partner or additional manufacturing sites. Key Responsibilities: • Lead the Manufacturing Training & Readiness team, including Training Supervisors and Training Specialists as applicable. • Own the execution, standardization, and continuous improvement of Zone5 Foundations. • Develop and maintain structured manufacturing onboarding, OJT, qualification, cross-training, and retraining practices. • Establish role-based training and readiness requirements for manufacturing personnel. • Ensure training content remains aligned with current manufacturing processes, work instructions, quality requirements, MES workflows, and safety expectations. • Maintain effective training records, qualification documentation, skill matrices, and workforce-readiness reporting. • Partner with Production and Engineering teams to support NPI, production ramp, new processes, additional shifts, and workforce expansion. • Establish train-the-trainer practices and develop manufacturing employees and SMEs who support OJT. • Use training and production data to identify workforce capability gaps and drive continuous improvement. • Ensure training practices support AS9100, customer, safety, and internal audit-readiness requirements. Qualifications: • 7+ years of relevant experience in aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, manufacturing operations, engineering, quality, technical training, or a related environment. • 3+ years of leadership experience managing employees, technical teams, training programs, or manufacturing functions. • Experience with manufacturing training, technical qualification, OJT, workforce development, or production-readiness programs. • Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, work instructions, documentation, traceability, MES, and production systems. • Strong leadership, communication, organization, and cross-functional collaboration skills. • Ability to manage multiple priorities across programs, production areas, and stakeholders. Preferred Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations, Business, Education/Training, Organizational Development, or related field; equivalent experience considered. • Aerospace or defense manufacturing experience. • Familiarity with AS9100, IPC, ESD, FOD, Lean Manufacturing, and regulated manufacturing environments. • Experience supporting NPI, production ramp, multi-shift operations, or manufacturing-site growth. • Familiarity with instructional design, adult-learning principles, LMS platforms, or competency-based qualification systems. Manufacturing Training Manager II: The Manufacturing Training Manager II is the senior leader responsible for the strategy, standardization, scalability, and deployment of the Zone5 Manufacturing Training & Readiness system. This role owns Zone5 Foundations as the standard manufacturing onboarding and qualification framework and ensures training practices can be consistently deployed across Zone5 operations, new manufacturing locations, and designated partner sites. The Manufacturing Training Manager II establishes manufacturing training standards, qualification frameworks, train-the-trainer practices, workforce capability strategies, and performance measures supporting production growth, new product introduction, production transfers, and manufacturing partnerships. Key Responsibilities: • Lead the strategy and direction of the Manufacturing Training & Readiness organization. • Serve as functional owner for Zone5 Foundations and the broader manufacturing training and qualification system. • Establish standardized requirements for onboarding, OJT, employee qualification, cross-training, retraining, and trainer authorization. • Lead and develop Manufacturing Training Managers, Supervisors, Training Specialists, and distributed training resources as applicable. • Establish scalable training practices supporting multiple programs, value streams, shifts, manufacturing sites, and partner organizations. • Lead deployment of Zone5 Foundations and manufacturing training standards to partner sites and new manufacturing locations. • Establish site-readiness, train-the-trainer, and sustainment requirements that allow partner organizations to independently execute approved Zone5 training. • Integrate workforce training and qualification requirements into NPI, production ramp, manufacturing transfer, and site-launch planning. • Translate production forecasts and business growth into training capacity, staffing, infrastructure, and workforce capability plans. • Establish enterprise training KPIs and use workforce-readiness data to