Senior Manager, Manufacturing Operations

The posting, as Portal Space Systems wrote it

About Portal

Portal Space Systems is on a mission to expand humanity’s freedom of movement in space. We’re building the spacecraft that makes that mission possible. From our Bothell, WA headquarters, we design vehicles with the maneuverability, resilience, and adaptability needed for the next era of orbital operations. Every system we build is in service of a simple idea: space should be more accessible, responsive, and capable. Joining Portal means stepping into a team that believes in bold engineering, fast iteration, and the power of small groups to change what’s possible. If you want your work to directly shape the future of in-space mobility, join us.

We are seeking a hands-on Senior Manager, Manufacturing Operations to build, lead, and scale production operations at our satellite manufacturing facility. This is a foundational leadership role responsible for establishing production processes, developing the production team, and ensuring safe, consistent, and efficient execution as the business transitions from early builds to sustained rate production.

Reporting to the VP of Manufacturing, you will own day-to-day production execution, workforce readiness, production planning, and operational performance within the production organization. You will lead production supervisors, team leads, technicians, and other personnel assigned to your organization, establishing the processes, systems, and accountability needed to meet production commitments.

You will work closely with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Facilities, Maintenance, and Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) specialists to ensure manufacturing readiness and resolve operational challenges. Engineering will retain responsibility for product design and engineering authority, while Quality and EHS will provide functional expertise and governance within their respective areas.

This is a build-and-scale role, not a steady-state operations position. You will balance immediate production needs with the discipline required to establish repeatable processes, develop frontline leaders, and build a production organization capable of supporting increasing manufacturing rates.

Key Responsibilities

Production Leadership & Execution

• Lead the production organization, including assigned supervisors, team leads, technicians, and production coordinators.
• Own daily production execution, ensuring build plans, staffing, material availability, and production priorities are aligned with delivery commitments.
• Establish clear operating rhythms, including daily production reviews, shift handoffs, escalation paths, and performance reporting.
• Monitor production performance, identify constraints, and drive timely resolution of issues affecting safety, quality, schedule, or productivity.
• Establish accountability for production targets, employee performance, adherence to standardized work, and continuous improvement.
• Provide regular, data-driven updates to the VP of Manufacturing on

[…]
rience with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, and manufacturing performance dashboards.

• Experience with production capacity planning, labor forecasting, and manufacturing resource management.
• Lean manufacturing, Lean Six Sigma, or equivalent continuous improvement training or certification.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Pay Range $150K - $200K

Compensation and Benefits

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

At Portal, your base salary is just one part of your total rewards package. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company equity at an exciting time of company growth as well as potential bonuses. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage (premiums paid by Portal 100%), access to a 401(k)-retirement plan, paid parental leave, you may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 12 or more paid holidays per year as well as sick time.

ITAR Statement

This position may involve access to technical data and defense-related materials controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Eligibility to access ITAR-controlled items requires that candidates be U.S. persons , which includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and other protected individuals as defined by U.S. law. Employment is contingent upon verification of ITAR eligibility and, where applicable, obtaining any required export authorization or license.

Equal Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.