Production Engineering Manager Jobs in California
Production Engineering Manager jobs in California are among the most actively recruited engineering leadership roles in the country, concentrated in semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace and defense, biomedical devices, and consumer electronics across a seniority range from first-line manager through senior director. The largest hiring centers are the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where companies like Applied Materials, Northrop Grumman, and Qualcomm maintain deep production engineering footprints. Demand is strongest for managers with backgrounds in process optimization, lean manufacturing, and new product introduction. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century's most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.
ABOUT THE JOB
Anduril's Manufacturing team is seeking a Production Test Engineering Manager to join our team. The EW Manufacturing Team is responsible for rapidly iterating and building cutting-edge defense hardware for Electromagnetic Warfare.
We aim to develop and deploy critically needed capabilities that address our customers' most pressing national security requirements. As the Production Test Engineering Manager, your role encompasses the strategic oversight and tactical management of production systems to support high-volume products across the portfolio. You are charged with ensuring rigorous testing protocols are in place, resulting in the consistent delivery of superior quality products to our customers. Furthermore, your leadership guarantees the fulfillment of manufacturing's test throughput requirements. This position demands an innovative approach to resolving complex testing challenges, advancing scalability, and enhancing our automation, throughput, user interfaces, and data analytics methodologies.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
- Direct the manufacturing test engineering team, set objectives, guide initiatives, and assess team outcomes.
- Oversee and consistently contribute improvements of the manufacturing test strategy for each product to ensure scalable operations across Anduril, transitioning from pre-production to full-scale output.
- Collaborate with product SEIT and development engineering for design testability, ensuring seamless production integration.
- Strategize and implement advancements in manufacturing testing, focusing on automation, uniformity, and operational streamlining.
- Maintain test capabilities of multiple products across their respective manufacturing value stream - from system level checkouts and acceptance testing to key component level in process validation.
- Evaluate test data, compile findings, and identify opportunities for product and process enhancements.
- Communicate strategic visions to key stakeholders, guiding the scaling of platforms from pre-production (LRIP) through to mass production (FRP).
- Lead the procurement and implementation of new test equipment, performing cost-benefit and ROI analyses as needed.
- Champion initiatives that enhance safety, reduce costs, improve quality, and increase productivity through testing.
- Cultivate a culture focused on innovation, collaboration, and accountability in the engineering department.
- Act as the go-to technical authority for manufacturing test matters, advising on and troubleshooting complex issues.
- Design proactive maintenance and calibration protocols for manufacturing test equipment.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 8+ years of relevant industry experience with emphasis on manufacturing test and product sustainment.
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Electronics, Computer, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum of 2+ years as a people manager leading manufacturing test engineering or relevant adjacent fields.
- Experienced in Linux, C#, Python, NixOS, LabView, or other forms of test automation.
- Experience with computer hardware communication protocols: USB, Ethernet, RS232, RS485, PCIe, HDMI, CAN, etc.
- Solid experience with PCBA/electronic assembly testing and knowledge of testing standards including and not limited to: acceptance testing, EOL testing, and ESS testing.
- Proficiency in using electronic and RF test equipment.
- Strong analytical skills for root cause analysis of non-conforming electro-mechanical hardware
- Familiar with Test Execution Systems (TES), Product Life Cycle (PLM) systems, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
- Experience in managing projects that integrate electrical, mechanical, and software/firmware systems.
- Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Demonstrated ability to lead the development of manufacturing test systems and teams.
- Proficiency in LabVIEW, MATLAB, and test automation.
- Knowledge of PCBA design and mechanical design
- Familiarity with various hardware communication protocols.
- Experience with designing HASS & ESS-related tests (Thermal, Vibration, etc.).
- Familiarity in using AI tools
The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:
Benefits
At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you're supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits.
Protecting Yourself from Recruitment Scams
Anduril is committed to maintaining the integrity of our Talent acquisition process and the security of our candidates. We've observed a rise in sophisticated phishing and fraudulent schemes where individuals impersonate Anduril representatives, luring job seekers with false interviews or job offers. These scammers often attempt to extract payment or sensitive personal information.
To ensure your safety and help you navigate your job search with confidence, please keep the following critical points in mind:
No Financial Requests: Anduril will never solicit payment or demand personal financial details (such as banking information, credit card numbers, or social security numbers) at any stage of our hiring process. Our legitimate recruitment is entirely free for candidates.
- Please always verify communications:
- Direct from Anduril: If you receive an email from one of our recruiters, it will only come from an @anduril.com address.
- Via Agency Partner: If contacted by a recruiting agency for an Anduril role, their email will clearly identify their agency. If you suspect any suspicious activity, please verify the agency's authenticity by reaching out to contact@anduril.com.
Exercise Caution with Unsolicited Outreach: If you receive any communication that appears suspicious, contains grammatical errors, or makes unusual requests, do not engage. Always confirm the sender's email domain is @anduril.com before providing any personal information or clicking on links.
What to Do If You Suspect Fraud: Should you encounter any questionable or fraudulent outreach claiming to be from Anduril, please report it immediately to contact@anduril.com. Your proactive caution is invaluable in protecting your personal information and upholding the security and trustworthiness of our recruitment efforts.
Data Privacy
To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/.
By submitting your application, you consent to Anduril Industries using a third-party service provider to conduct pre-employment risk, integrity, and due diligence screening and assessing potential risks as part of your application process. This third-party service provider provides risk-intelligence services that may include analysis of sanctions and watchlists, adverse media, public-record information, and other lawful open-source or commercial data sources. This third-party service provider does not act as a consumer reporting agency. Use of this provider helps to ensure compliance with applicable laws and protect technology, intellectual property, and organizational security.
Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century's most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.
ABOUT THE JOB
Anduril's Manufacturing team is seeking a Production Test Engineering Manager to join our team. The EW Manufacturing Team is responsible for rapidly iterating and building cutting-edge defense hardware for Electromagnetic Warfare.
We aim to develop and deploy critically needed capabilities that address our customers' most pressing national security requirements. As the Production Test Engineering Manager, your role encompasses the strategic oversight and tactical management of production systems to support high-volume products across the portfolio. You are charged with ensuring rigorous testing protocols are in place, resulting in the consistent delivery of superior quality products to our customers. Furthermore, your leadership guarantees the fulfillment of manufacturing's test throughput requirements. This position demands an innovative approach to resolving complex testing challenges, advancing scalability, and enhancing our automation, throughput, user interfaces, and data analytics methodologies.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
- Direct the manufacturing test engineering team, set objectives, guide initiatives, and assess team outcomes.
- Oversee and consistently contribute improvements of the manufacturing test strategy for each product to ensure scalable operations across Anduril, transitioning from pre-production to full-scale output.
- Collaborate with product SEIT and development engineering for design testability, ensuring seamless production integration.
- Strategize and implement advancements in manufacturing testing, focusing on automation, uniformity, and operational streamlining.
- Maintain test capabilities of multiple products across their respective manufacturing value stream - from system level checkouts and acceptance testing to key component level in process validation.
- Evaluate test data, compile findings, and identify opportunities for product and process enhancements.
- Communicate strategic visions to key stakeholders, guiding the scaling of platforms from pre-production (LRIP) through to mass production (FRP).
- Lead the procurement and implementation of new test equipment, performing cost-benefit and ROI analyses as needed.
- Champion initiatives that enhance safety, reduce costs, improve quality, and increase productivity through testing.
- Cultivate a culture focused on innovation, collaboration, and accountability in the engineering department.
- Act as the go-to technical authority for manufacturing test matters, advising on and troubleshooting complex issues.
- Design proactive maintenance and calibration protocols for manufacturing test equipment.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 8+ years of relevant industry experience with emphasis on manufacturing test and product sustainment.
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Electronics, Computer, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum of 2+ years as a people manager leading manufacturing test engineering or relevant adjacent fields.
- Experienced in Linux, C#, Python, NixOS, LabView, or other forms of test automation.
- Experience with computer hardware communication protocols: USB, Ethernet, RS232, RS485, PCIe, HDMI, CAN, etc.
- Solid experience with PCBA/electronic assembly testing and knowledge of testing standards including and not limited to: acceptance testing, EOL testing, and ESS testing.
- Proficiency in using electronic and RF test equipment.
- Strong analytical skills for root cause analysis of non-conforming electro-mechanical hardware
- Familiar with Test Execution Systems (TES), Product Life Cycle (PLM) systems, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
- Experience in managing projects that integrate electrical, mechanical, and software/firmware systems.
- Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Demonstrated ability to lead the development of manufacturing test systems and teams.
- Proficiency in LabVIEW, MATLAB, and test automation.
- Knowledge of PCBA design and mechanical design
- Familiarity with various hardware communication protocols.
- Experience with designing HASS & ESS-related tests (Thermal, Vibration, etc.).
- Familiarity in using AI tools
The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:
Benefits
At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you're supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits.
Protecting Yourself from Recruitment Scams
Anduril is committed to maintaining the integrity of our Talent acquisition process and the security of our candidates. We've observed a rise in sophisticated phishing and fraudulent schemes where individuals impersonate Anduril representatives, luring job seekers with false interviews or job offers. These scammers often attempt to extract payment or sensitive personal information.
To ensure your safety and help you navigate your job search with confidence, please keep the following critical points in mind:
No Financial Requests: Anduril will never solicit payment or demand personal financial details (such as banking information, credit card numbers, or social security numbers) at any stage of our hiring process. Our legitimate recruitment is entirely free for candidates.
- Please always verify communications:
- Direct from Anduril: If you receive an email from one of our recruiters, it will only come from an @anduril.com address.
- Via Agency Partner: If contacted by a recruiting agency for an Anduril role, their email will clearly identify their agency. If you suspect any suspicious activity, please verify the agency's authenticity by reaching out to contact@anduril.com.
Exercise Caution with Unsolicited Outreach: If you receive any communication that appears suspicious, contains grammatical errors, or makes unusual requests, do not engage. Always confirm the sender's email domain is @anduril.com before providing any personal information or clicking on links.
What to Do If You Suspect Fraud: Should you encounter any questionable or fraudulent outreach claiming to be from Anduril, please report it immediately to contact@anduril.com. Your proactive caution is invaluable in protecting your personal information and upholding the security and trustworthiness of our recruitment efforts.
Data Privacy
To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/.
By submitting your application, you consent to Anduril Industries using a third-party service provider to conduct pre-employment risk, integrity, and due diligence screening and assessing potential risks as part of your application process. This third-party service provider provides risk-intelligence services that may include analysis of sanctions and watchlists, adverse media, public-record information, and other lawful open-source or commercial data sources. This third-party service provider does not act as a consumer reporting agency. Use of this provider helps to ensure compliance with applicable laws and protect technology, intellectual property, and organizational security.
See All 26 Production Engineering Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsProduction Engineering Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Production Engineering Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Electronics & Hardware
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in production engineering manager jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering from an accredited program
- Five or more years of production or process engineering experience in a California regulated industry
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional engineering teams in a high-volume manufacturing environment
- Proficiency with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Toyota Production System methodologies
- Familiarity with California OSHA Title 8 safety regulations and environmental compliance requirements
- Experience with ERP or MES platforms such as SAP, Oracle, or Siemens Opcenter
Production Engineering Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a production engineering manager in California?
Most California employers expect a bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering followed by several years of hands-on production or process engineering work before a move into management. While the role carries no state-issued license, engineers who hold a Professional Engineer registration from the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists are preferred for senior roles in aerospace, defense, and public-sector contracts. Building experience in lean methodologies and leading a project team is the most reliable path to a first management offer.
How much do production engineering managers make in California?
Production engineering managers in California earn a median of about $210,280 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $137,900 for the lowest 10% to over $296,130 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire production engineering managers in California?
Employers hiring production engineering managers in California right now include Meta, NVIDIA, and HARVEY, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's concentration of semiconductor fabs, aerospace primes, and medical device manufacturers means openings appear consistently across both large corporations and mid-size contract manufacturers throughout the state.
Which California cities have the most production engineering manager jobs?
Santa Clara, San Francisco, and Menlo Park have the most production engineering manager openings in California. The Bay Area leads because of its dense cluster of semiconductor and advanced electronics manufacturers, Los Angeles draws from its large aerospace and defense prime contractor base, and San Diego's strength in medical devices and defense systems sustains consistent demand even outside the two largest metros.
Are there remote production engineering manager jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. About 60% of production engineering manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting that the role is fundamentally tied to physical production floors and equipment. The portions of the job most likely to be done remotely are planning, reporting, vendor coordination, and cross-site program management rather than direct floor oversight.
How can I get hired as a production engineering manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into a senior individual-contributor production or process engineer role first, then stepping into team lead or program lead assignments before applying for manager titles. Large California manufacturers like Lam Research, Edwards Lifesciences, and Raytheon run rotational engineering programs and new-graduate associate engineer tracks that place candidates on production teams. Building a record of leading a kaizen event, a yield improvement project, or a capital equipment qualification gives hiring managers concrete evidence of management readiness without a formal title.
Where can I find and apply to production engineering manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to production engineering manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your experience and location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 26 Production Engineering Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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