Manager, Build Engineering

HADRIAN - MANUFACTURING THE FUTURE

Hadrian is building autonomous factories to reindustrialize America. By combining AI, advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing, we help aerospace and defense companies build rockets, satellites, aircraft, ships, and other mission-critical systems up to 10x faster and at significantly lower cost.

Following our $1.37B Series D at a $7.87B valuation, Hadrian is rapidly expanding our manufacturing footprint, launching new capabilities across welding, casting, forging, electronics, additive manufacturing, and more, while scaling our Factory-as-a-Service platform to transform how critical products are built.

Backed by leading investors including JPMorgan Chase, Valor Equity Partners, Andreessen Horowitz, Founders Fund, 137 Ventures, Lux Capital, T. Rowe Price, and Morgan Stanley, we’re building the future of American manufacturing—and looking for exceptional people to help make it happen.

If you’re ready to take on the most challenging and rewarding work of your career while helping create American manufacturing jobs for generations to come, you’re exactly who we’re looking for.

Role Summary

Hadrian is looking for a Manager, Build Engineering to lead the team that takes new products from zero to one on a dedicated customer program. You will own new product introduction end-to-end — from first article through qualification, ramp, and transition into standard production — and be accountable for the build outcomes of every engineer on your team.

This role sits at the center of the factory's cross-functional web. A new product doesn't reach one without Supply Chain, Capability Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Software, Materials & Processes, and Test all pulling in the same direction, and it's on you to keep those dependencies from becoming your engineers' problem to solve build by build. You will own the relationship expectations between your program's Build Engineers and every function that supports them, resolving constraints before they hit the floor.

This is a working manager role. You will build, coach, and level up a team of Build Engineers while staying close enough to the floor to make a real-time technical call or step in yourself during a high-priority build.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead and grow a team of Build Engineers dedicated to a specific customer or program.

- Own program-level new product introduction (NPI) outcomes, from first article through stabilized production.

- Tie together the work of individual Build Engineers into one coherent execution plan — setting sequencing, prioritization, and risk mitigation across the program.

- Partner across Supply Chain, Capability Engineering, Production/Manufacturing Engineering, Software, Materials & Processes, and Test to unblock constraints before they impact the build.

- Serve as the primary escalation point for build issues within the program, resolving problems related to drawings, tolerances, tooling, materials, and process flow in real time.

- Coach, develop, and level up Build Engineers on the team; own staffing and leveling decisions.

- Represent the program in cross-functional planning, reviews, and leadership updates.

- Assess build and manufacturability risk at the program level and drive mitigation plans to protect schedule and quality.

- Drive lessons learned across builds and transition stabilized processes into standard production.

- Support engineering changes by evaluating program-level execution impact and aligning the team accordingly.

Required Qualifications

- 6–10+ years of experience in build, production, or manufacturing engineering, including hands-on experience with new product introduction (NPI) or zero-to-one manufacturing efforts.

- 2+ years of experience leading or managing a team of engineers in a manufacturing environment, or a demonstrated track record of informal technical leadership.

- Demonstrated success coordinating across engineering, supply chain, software, and production functions to deliver complex or first-of-kind builds.

- Strong ability to interpret engineering drawings, tolerances, BOMs, and process requirements.

- Comfort operating hands-on on the factory floor as well as managing and prioritizing at the program level.

- Ability to make sound decisions under schedule pressure with incomplete or evolving information.

- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to align technicians, engineers, and leadership around a single execution plan.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience owning a product or program from concept/prototype through production ramp at a high-growth manufacturing or hardware company.

- Background in precision manufacturing, machining, assembly, or inspection within aerospace, defense, or other mission-critical industries.

- Exposure to test engineering, materials & processes, or capability engineering functions.

- Experience managing a team through frequent design or priority changes.

- Familiarity with ERP/MES/PLM systems and digital work instruction tools.

- Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement experience.

BENEFITS FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES

- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees

401k

- Relocation support may be provided for certain situations, based on business need.

- Flexible vacation policy

- Equity

ITAR REQUIREMENTS

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, 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.

USE OF AI IN HIRING

Hadrian uses AI-assisted tools in our recruiting and hiring processes to help our team work more efficiently. This may include tools that help organize and analyze recruiting data, as well as an AI-powered notetaker that can record and transcribe interviews and help coordinate feedback. These tools support our team and are not used to make hiring decisions. All candidate evaluations and hiring decisions are performed by humans. If an interview will be recorded, you will be notified in advance and may opt out at any time with no impact on your candidacy. Candidate data processed through these tools is subject to the same protections described in our Privacy Policy https://www.hadrian.co/privacy-policy.

CONSIDERATION OF CRIMINAL HISTORY

Hadrian will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of all applicable laws. We do not ask about criminal history on our application, and we do not consider criminal history before making a conditional offer of employment.

HADRIAN IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Hadrian does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental status, physical disability or any other legally protected status. 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.