Manufacturing Lead – Shopfloor Operations

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Harmattan AI seeks a Manufacturing Lead, Shopfloor Operations, in Wissous to own daily production execution across the site. This hands-on, end-to-end role requires leading operators, ensuring takt time and line balance, enforcing safety and quality standards, and quickly addressing disruptions. You will report to the Plant Manager and have authority to intervene or stop activities when risk is present, while partnering with Production Planning and Manufacturing Engineering on line changes and improvements. Key requirements include proven shopfloor leadership in defence or similar sectors, strong discipline, solid understanding of assembly lines and takt-based production, a hands-on mindset, and fluent English with French a strong asset. For best results, tailor your CV to show on-floor impact, measurable gains, safety and quality improvements, and cross-functional collaboration.

About Us

Harmattan AI is a next-generation defense prime building autonomous and scalable defense systems. Following the close of a $200M Series B, valuing the company at $1.4 billion, we are expanding our teams and capabilities to deliver mission-critical systems to allied forces.

Our work is guided by clear values: building technologies with real-world impact, pursuing excellence in everything we do, setting ambitious goals, and taking on the hardest technical challenges. We operate in a demanding environment where rigor, ownership, and execution are expected.

About the Role

The Manufacturing Lead – Shopfloor Operations is the operational owner of daily production execution across Harmattan AI’s manufacturing footprint.

This is a hands-on, execution-focused role, embedded in day-to-day factory operations, ramp-up, and serial production. The position carries end-to-end accountability for:

• Shopfloor execution and output

• People leadership and discipline

• Adherence to safety, quality, and standard work

• Stability of production flow

The role primarily covers:

• Wissous manufacturing site (serial production)

The Manufacturing Lead reports to the Plant Manager and has full authority to intervene, decide, and stop activities where safety, quality, or production integrity is at risk.

Responsibilities

Shopfloor Execution & Output

• Own daily execution of production plans across assembly and sub-assembly lines

• Ensure adherence to takt time, line balance, and output targets

• React immediately to disruptions (material shortages, quality issues, staffing gaps)

• Escalate issues early with clear facts and pragmatic countermeasures

People Leadership & Discipline

• Lead operators, line leaders, and shift personnel on the shopfloor

• Ensure clear task allocation, shift handovers, and performance visibility

• Enforce standard work, safety rules, and quality discipline

• Support onboarding, training, and skill development of operators

Quality & Compliance on the Floor

• Ensure products are built strictly according to work instructions and quality standards

• Enforce first-time-right production and proper defect containment

• Support investigations, rework coordination, and corrective actions

Cross-Functional Integration

• Work closely with Production Planning to translate schedules into executable daily work

• Provide structured feedback from the shopfloor to improve planning robustness

• Coordinate with Manufacturing Engineering and Automation on line changes, tooling, and improvements

• Track and report production KPIs to the Plant Manager

This role is about owning execution on the floor, not managing from a distance.

Candidate Requirements

• Proven experience leading shopfloor operations in an industrial or manufacturing environment
  (defence, aerospace, electronics, automotive, or similar)

• Strong people leadership with the ability to maintain discipline under production pressure

• Solid understanding of assembly operations, flow lines, and takt-based production

• Hands-on mindset with strong floor presence

• Pragmatic, calm, and decisive in fast-moving environments

• Adaptability & Mobility: Thrives under pressure in a fast-paced, dynamic environment; embraces a “no-task-is-too-small” mentality.

• Communication & Influence: Excellent written and verbal communication in English, fluency in French is a very strong asset. Capable of leading diverse principals – able to operate seamlessly between technicians, engineers, contractors, and leadership

• Commitment: 100% dedication to Harmattan AI’s mission, vision, and ambitious growth plans, ready to go the extra mile to ensure operational excellence.

We look forward to hearing how you can help shape the future of autonomous defense systems at Harmattan AI.