VP of Production

About the role

VP of Production

Location: Playa Vista, California (in-person, five days per week)

Outpost is pioneering Earth return logistics for space. We're building vehicles that can return payloads from orbit safely and precisely, enabling faster space-based manufacturing, global delivery, and entirely new capabilities in the space economy. Our spacecraft is already backed by the U.S. government with multiple missions ahead. We're a mission-focused team, building with urgency, grit, and care for the work we do and the people we do it with.

The Team

We're looking for a visionary and execution-oriented Vice President of Production to own manufacturing and production at Outpost. This is a foundational leadership role responsible for scaling Outpost's return vehicles from low-rate prototype builds to repeatable, reliable production. You'll lead the strategy and execution of production planning, manufacturing engineering, quality, and shop floor operations. You'll report directly to the CTO and work closely with company leadership across engineering, supply chain, and program management.

Responsibilities:

Own end-to-end production strategy and execution for Outpost's return vehicles

Build and scale manufacturing processes from low-rate prototype to production

Lead production planning, scheduling, and capacity management

Oversee quality systems, manufacturing engineering, and shop floor operations

Build and lead a high-performing production team, including technicians and manufacturing engineers

Collaborate closely with engineering leadership on design for manufacturability

Manage supplier and vendor relationships supporting production

Drive metrics and reporting to track production impact and efficiency

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Aerospace, Manufacturing, or related engineering discipline

12+ years of experience in manufacturing, production, or operations leadership, with 5+ years in executive leadership roles

Proven success scaling hardware production in aerospace, automotive, or similarly complex manufacturing environments

Deep experience with manufacturing processes, supply chain, quality systems, and production planning

Strong track record building and leading production teams

Exceptional operational and organizational instincts, with a bias toward action

Strong leadership and communication skills, with an ability to inspire teams and align stakeholders

Passion for frontier technology, space, and building something from the ground up

Preferred Skills

Background in aerospace, automotive, or hardware manufacturing

Experience with both government and commercial production programs

Startup experience or familiarity with fast-paced, high-growth environments

Compensation:

Competitive compensation: $275,000 – $325,000; (commensurate with experience).

Additional Compensation: Annual performance-based bonuses that reward your impact.

Shared upside: Meaningful equity in Outpost so you share directly in the value you help create.

Comprehensive healthcare: Medical, dental, and vision coverage to keep you and your loved ones covered. We cover the base tier of medical insurance and all premiums of vision and dental.

Protection when it matters : Company-provided short- and long-term disability coverage for peace of mind, plus life insurance for even more security.

PTO: Recharge on your own terms with paid time off, plus 9 days of paid holidays.

Invest in your future : 401(k) with company match to help you build long-term wealth.

Fueled for the mission : Daily DoorDash lunch stipend, plus unlimited snacks, coffee, and tea to keep you energized.

Mission that matters : Work shoulder-to-shoulder with leaders from aerospace, new space, and deep-tech industries building the future of orbital infrastructure.

Pet Friendly Office : Bring your furry friend into the office so that they can be a part of our mission too.

Monthly Company Happy Hours and Events: Drinks at the local bar, hibachi nights, mini golfing and more

You must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 , or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S.