Director Value Stream (m/f/d)

Mission Brief 

The Director Value Stream is responsible for the end-to-end industrial execution of the company's launch vehicle program. This director owns the operational strategy, manufacturing system, industrialisation, supply chain, production, testing, quality and assembly integration.
Working closely with the Chief Engineer and Programme Manager, the Director Block 4 Value Stream will transform innovative engineering designs into a repeatable, scalable production system capable of delivering safe, reliable, and commercially competitive launch vehicles. The role is accountable for achieving programme cost, schedule, quality, delivery, and operational readiness objectives while building the manufacturing capability required to scale from development through serial production and commercial launch operations.

Your Role in Our Space Mission: 

Operational Leadership 

• Lead all testing and assembly integration
• Develop and execute the company's industrial strategy to support rapid business growth.  
• Build a world-class aerospace manufacturing organisation capable of scaling from prototype to high-rate production.  
• Establish operational excellence, Lean manufacturing, digital manufacturing, and continuous improvement across the business.  

Programme Delivery 

Own operational delivery of the launch vehicle programme including: 

• Manufacturing readiness 
• Production planning  
• Vehicle integration  
• Test readiness  
• Delivery against programme milestones  

Partner with Engineering to ensure designs are manufacturable, producible, and scalable. 

Manufacturing & Industrialisation 

Provide executive leadership for: 

• Production Engineering 
• Process Engineering  
• Factory Automation  
• Industrialisation  
• Tooling  
• Production Planning  

Develop the manufacturing system capable of supporting future launch cadence targets. 

Production 

Lead all manufacturing activities including: 

• CNC machining
• Electrical assembly
• Composite manufacturing  
• Additive manufacturing  
• Engine assembly  
• Vehicle integration  
• Final assembly  

Drive improvements in: 

• Throughput and lead-time performance
• Labour based productivity  
• Improving capital OEE 
• First-pass yield  
• Cost reduction  
• Manufacturing maturity  

Supply Chain

Develop a resilient, high-performing global supply chain by: 

• Building strategic supplier partnerships 
• Improving supplier performance  
• Managing procurement and logistics  
• Developing dual-source strategies  
• Managing long-lead materials  
• Improving supplier quality  

Quality Assurance 

Establish a culture where quality is designed into every product. 

Responsible for: 

• Manufacturing Quality 
• Product Assurance  
• Supplier Quality  
• NDT  
• Metrology strategy
• Configuration control  
• Operational compliance  
• Zero Defects methodology in all aspects of the programme 

Test & Qualification 

Provide leadership for: 

• Component testing 
• Engine testing 
• Structural testing 
• Environmental qualification  

Ensure safe execution of all test campaigns. 

Operational Strategy 

Develop long-term operational capability supporting: 

• Multiple launch sites 
• Increased launch cadence  
• International manufacturing expansion  
• Factory automation  
• Digital manufacturing  
• Supply chain resilience  

Qualification Checklist 

The successful candidate will have: 

• Extensive executive leadership experience within aerospace, defence, automotive, advanced manufacturing, or another high-technology industry. 
• A proven record of scaling complex manufacturing operations from development into serial production.  
• Experience leading large multidisciplinary engineering and manufacturing organisations.  
• Strong knowledge of Lean manufacturing, industrialisation, and operational excellence.  
• Experience delivering complex capital equipment or highly regulated products.  
• Demonstrated success leading supply chain transformation and supplier development.  
• Experience managing large operational budgets and capital investment programmes.  
• Excellent stakeholder management with the ability to work across engineering, programme management, and executive leadership.  

Technical Knowledge 

• Aerospace manufacturing 
• Industrialisation  
• Production systems  
• Lean Manufacturing  
• APQP / PPAP (or equivalent product introduction methodologies)  
• Configuration management  
• Digital manufacturing and Industry 4.0  
• Quality management systems (AS9100 and related Aerospace standards)
• Supply chain strategy 
• Production planning and control 
• Test operations  
• Operational risk management  

Leadership Competencies 

• Strategic and systems thinker 
• Strong execution focus  
• Decisive under pressure  
• Excellent communicator 
• Builds high-performing teams  
• Data-driven decision maker  
• Collaborative leader  
• Customer and mission focused  
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-growth environment  

Benefits 

• Employee Participation Program: Share in our success through our virtual company share program
• 30 days of vacation: Enjoy the days off to relax and recharge
• Company pension plan: Secure your future with our company pension plan, featuring a 20% employer contribution after the probation period
• Subsidised lunch: Stay energised with delicious, subsidised lunches every day
• Public transport ticket: Commute with ease using a fully financed Deutschlandticket
• Rental clothing with laundry service: Enjoy hassle-free workwear with our convenient rental clothing and laundry service  
• Sport Clubs membership: Stay fit with our sponsored sports club memberships (EGYM Wellpass)
• Individual learning allowance: Grow your skills with an individual learning budget granted after the probation period
• Childcare allowance: Receive a childcare allowance for your non-school-age children
• And Much More! Discover additional perks and benefits when you join our team.         
  

Who we are

We are Isar Aerospace and we are at the forefront of New Space building a modern space business to enable faster, better and cheaper access to space.

Our mission is to help democratise space and use it for good in order to improve life on Earth now and for the future generations.

We are a fast-growing company aiming to provide sustainable and environmentally friendly launch solutions for small and medium-sized satellites and constellations into Low Earth Orbit. The company is privately funded by world-leading technology investors with strong commitment and support and our team is made of driven and talented people with a real passion for space innovation.

We're making rockets in a way that hasn't been done before disrupting a traditional industry. If you are up for the challenge, want to work on cutting-edge projects and be part of a team changing the world for better, come, join us and launch your career!

Want to find out more about us?

Visit www.isaraerospace.com

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Disclaimer
Isar Aerospace SE is an equal-opportunity employer committed to fairness and inclusivity. We do not prioritize any specific religion, gender, nationality, or background. Due to security clearance requirements, affiliations with countries listed under § 13 para. 1 no. 17 SÜG may affect the application process. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.