Manager Manufacturing Excellence & Digital Manufacturing (m/f/d)

Mission Brief
The Manager Manufacturing Excellence & Digital Manufacturing is responsible for transforming manufacturing performance through the integration of lean principles, automation, digital technologies, data-driven decision making, and operational excellence. This role establishes the manufacturing systems, standards, and improvement frameworks required to scale production efficiently while continuously improving quality, cost, delivery, and productivity.
The position combines responsibility for manufacturing excellence, continuous improvement, capacity planning, automation engineering, robotics, MES ownership, digital manufacturing solutions, and manufacturing analytics. The role serves as a key driver of industrialization, production scalability, and operational competitiveness across the organization.
Your Role in Our Space Mission:
Lead the Manufacturing Excellence and Digital Manufacturing organization and roadmap.
Deploy Lean Manufacturing principles, tools, and best practices across all manufacturing operations.
Develop and maintain manufacturing standards, standard work systems, and production operating models.
Drive continuous improvement, Kaizen initiatives, and operational excellence programs.
Own capacity planning, resource modelling, and production capacity forecasting activities.
Lead line balancing and production flow optimization initiatives to maximize operational efficiency.
Define and execute automation strategies for manufacturing processes and industrial equipment.
Lead development and deployment of robotics, machine vision, and automated manufacturing solutions.
Own Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), digital work instructions, and product traceability solutions.
Drive manufacturing data architecture, KPI systems, analytics, and performance reporting capabilities.
Identify and prioritize digital transformation opportunities that improve productivity, quality, and scalability.
Partner with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to improve manufacturing performance and readiness for growth.
Qualification Checklist
Extensive experience in manufacturing excellence, industrial engineering, operations, automation, or digital manufacturing leadership roles.
Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement methodologies, and operational excellence frameworks.
Experience with capacity planning, production system design, resource modelling, and production optimization.
Knowledge of automation engineering, robotics, machine vision systems, and industrial equipment integration.
Experience with MES platforms, digital manufacturing solutions, and manufacturing system architectures.
Strong understanding of manufacturing data management, KPI frameworks, and advanced analytics.
Proven ability to lead organizational transformation and operational improvement initiatives.
Experience developing and implementing manufacturing standards and scalable production systems.
Strong project management, change management, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking capabilities.
Experience within aerospace, high-tech manufacturing, automotive, or other advanced manufacturing environments is highly desirable.
Professional proficiency in English; German language skills are advantageous.
Aim high, deliver relentlessly, act with integrity, and keep the mission first.
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
Flexible mobility budget: Travel your way with a choice between a fully financed Deutschlandticket, JobRad bicycle leasing, FINN JobAuto, or a fuel allowance
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
Data Protection
We process your personal data for the purpose of managing the recruitment process and assessing your application. For detailed information on how your data is processed, including your rights, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
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.