Quality & Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Hadrian is building autonomous factories that help aerospace and defense companies manufacture rockets, satellites, jets, and ships up to 10x faster and up to 2x cheaper. By combining advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing, we are reinventing how America produces its most critical parts.

We recently raised $260 million dollar Series C to accelerate this mission. We are excited to be launching a new Factory in Mesa, Arizona, a 270,000 square foot facility that will create 350 new jobs immediately. We are opening a new headquarters to support thousands of future hires, launching Hadrian Maritime to serve naval production, and introducing a Factory-as-a-Service model that delivers complete systems instead of individual parts.

Hadrian works with startups, Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, and major defense contractors across space, shipbuilding, and aviation to scale production, reduce costs, and accelerate delivery on mission-critical programs. We are backed by leading investors including Lux Capital, Founders Fund, and Andreessen Horowitz. Our fast-growing team is united by a shared mission to reindustrialize American manufacturing for the 21st century and beyond

The Role

The Quality & Manufacturing Engineering Manager will lead two complementary teams that ensure Hadrian's factory operates at peak yield, speed, and reliability. You'll own the technical and operational systems that detect, prevent, and eliminate defects — while building a high-performing team that turns feedback into factory improvement.

You'll manage both Production Manufacturing & Quality Engineering and Quality Operations, aligning them around one mission: delivering flawless parts and paperwork to our customers, fast. This role requires a leader equally comfortable coaching engineers through root cause analysis, driving throughput in automated CMM cells, and partnering with production leadership to scale a stable, high-yield factory.

This is a critical role in Hadrian's next phase of growth — building a repeatable quality and manufacturing system across multiple factories.

What You'll Do

• Lead the factory's Quality & Manufacturing Engineering teams to improve first pass yield, stabilize processes, and eliminate recurring defects.
• Drive root cause analysis, corrective actions, and data-driven projects that strengthen product and process quality.
• Oversee Quality Operations — including inspection throughput, NCR management, customer paperwork, and source inspections.
• Maintain a fast, accurate quality feedback loop between inspection and production to catch and contain issues early.
• Partner with factory leadership to improve throughput, reduce quality escapes, and simplify inspection workflows.
• Develop and coach engineers, specialists, and technicians for technical excellence and high performance.

Leadership Competencies

• Integrity & Ownership: Take accountability early and drive transparent, principled problem-solving.
• People Growth: Coach and develop individuals for long-term success, balancing challenge with care.
• Clarity: Ensure alignment on priorities, progress, and contribution.
• Technical Curiosity: Stay close to the work; lead with data, root cause analysis, and first principles.
• Process Rigor: Build scalable systems with clear metrics, ownership, and decisive execution.
• Collaboration: Partner cross-functionally to align goals, manage change, and solve problems together.

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing or quality engineering, with 2+ years in people management.
• Proven leadership of cross-functional technical teams in a production environment.
• Strong background in root cause analysis, corrective action management, and yield improvement.
• Working knowledge of AS9100 or ISO 9001 systems.
• Familiarity with metrology and inspection processes.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder alignment skills across production, engineering, and leadership.

What Will Set You Apart

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• Experience managing both production and quality operations in a machining or aerospace context.
• Experience with dimensional inspection and CMM workflows.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher certification.
• Hands-on experience improving operations/quality processes.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers and technicians and build scalable systems.

Benefits

• 100% coverage of platinum medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees
• 401k
• Flexible vacation policy

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Hadrian Is An Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the Company's policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. The Company does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race inclusive of traits historically associated with race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, such as braids, locks and twists), color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin (including, in California, possession of a drivers license), ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, height or weight, medical condition, family care status, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, exercise of reproductive rights, any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws, or any combination of the above characteristics. When necessary, the Company also makes reasonable accommodations for disabled candidates and employees, including for candidates or employees who are disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.