Production Manager H/F

About Alta Ares

Alta Ares is a deeptech startup founded in 2024, building real-time AI for defense operations — ISR, C-UAS, and autonomous systems. Our clients are NATO-aligned militaries and defence institutions, with regular deployments during live exercises and operational demonstrations. We raised €2M seed in May 2025, 50M in June 2026, and are expanding fast.

Product Suite Includes

• Real-time AI ISR module deployable on drones and tactical platforms
• Counter-UAS solution enabling autonomous drone takeover in GNSS-denied environments
• Full-stack MLOps platform for training & deploying military-grade AI models
• Data fusion and trajectory prediction

Role & Missions

Production Operations Management

• Lead and manage day-to-day production operations (planning, capacity, resources)
• Ensure efficient execution of production schedules aligned with business priorities
• Anticipate and mitigate operational bottlenecks

Process Optimization & Industrialization

• Design, implement, and continuously improve production processes
• Drive efficiency, scalability, and reliability across manufacturing workflows
• Contribute to the industrialization of new products (NPI – New Product Introduction)

Cost, Quality & Delivery Performance

• Ensure production meets cost, timeline, and quality objectives
• Implement and enforce quality standards and best practices
• Continuously improve production performance and output reliability

Team Leadership & Coordination

• Supervise production teams and technicians
• Foster a strong execution culture focused on accountability and performance
• Coordinate cross-functionally with engineering, supply chain, and operations teams

Supply Chain & Logistics Interface

• Manage coordination with procurement and logistics teams
• Ensure availability of components and materials for production
• Align production planning with supply chain constraints

Performance Tracking & Traceability

• Define and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for production
• Track production metrics and drive data-informed decision making
• Ensure full traceability of products and manufacturing operations

Requirements

You are a hands‑on Production Manager with experience in fast‑paced, high‑performance environments. You are comfortable building and scaling production systems, optimizing processes, and leading teams under demanding operational constraints.

Core Skills

• Experience managing production or manufacturing operations (ideally in hardware, robotics, or aerospace)
• Strong understanding of production planning, capacity management, and process optimization
• Proven ability to deliver on cost, quality, and timelines
• Experience leading teams of technicians or operators
• Familiarity with supply chain, procurement, and logistics coordination
• Experience defining and tracking KPIs and production metrics
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Ability to operate in dynamic, fast-moving environments

Nice to Have

• Experience in drone, robotics, or defense-related industries
• Experience with New Product Introduction (NPI) and scaling production
• Familiarity with quality standards and traceability systems
• Background in industrial engineering or manufacturing systems
• Experience in startup or high‑growth environments