Head of Production – UAV Systems
Head of Production – UAV Systems
Kyiv, Ukraine
Hybrid
NDA
Our client is a Ukrainian defence technology company developing and producing unmanned aerial systems for operational use. The company operates in a high-tempo environment where rapid iteration, serial production, and disciplined execution are critical.
The Head of Production is responsible for end-to-end execution of drone production in Ukraine. The role owns daily operations, production output, cost control at shop-floor level, and people management, while working closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing leadership.
This is a hands-on leadership role focused on delivering reliable volume production under tight timelines and evolving requirements.
Our client is a Ukrainian defence technology company developing and producing unmanned aerial systems for operational use. The company operates in a high-tempo environment where rapid iteration, serial production, and disciplined execution are critical.
The Head of Production is responsible for end-to-end execution of drone production in Ukraine. The role owns daily operations, production output, cost control at shop-floor level, and people management, while working closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing leadership.
This is a hands-on leadership role focused on delivering reliable volume production under tight timelines and evolving requirements.
Key Responsibilities
1. Production Leadership & Planning
Lead day-to-day production activities to meet volume, quality, and delivery targets.
Develop short- and mid-term production plans and rolling schedules.
Ensure stable execution despite changing designs, supply constraints, or priorities.
2. Industrial Execution & R&D Interface
Work closely with R&D to transition prototypes into repeatable serial production.
Provide feedback to improve manufacturability, assembly time, and reliability.
Support setup and optimisation of tooling, fixtures, and workstations.
3. Quality & Continuous Improvement
Ensure consistent product quality through practical process controls, not bureaucracy.
Manage defects, rework, scrap, and returns; drive systematic reduction of production losses.
Support root-cause analysis and corrective actions in collaboration with Engineering.
4. Cost Control & Unit Economics (Production - Level)
Manage production cost structure at shop-floor level, including labour, materials, and overhead.
Monitor unit economics (cost per UAV, COGS structure).
Perform plan-vs-actual cost tracking and variance analysis; implement corrective actions to meet target cost levels.
Control work-in-progress (WIP) and ensure accurate production reporting.
5. Inventory, Controls & Reporting
Implement and maintain practical inventory and WIP control procedures. Support internal control processes related to:
material usage
procurement approvals
spending limits within production
Prepare regular production and cost reports for Manufacturing leadership and Finance (CEO/CFO), covering:
cost structure
production efficiency
key operational risks and impacts
6. Team Leadership & Training
Lead, develop, and motivate production personnel.
Ensure assembly documentation, work instructions, and training materials are in place.
Support onboarding and training of new assemblers and technicians.Maintain a disciplined, safety-focused, and results-driven production culture.
1. Production Leadership & Planning
Lead day-to-day production activities to meet volume, quality, and delivery targets.
Develop short- and mid-term production plans and rolling schedules.
Ensure stable execution despite changing designs, supply constraints, or priorities.
2. Industrial Execution & R&D Interface
Work closely with R&D to transition prototypes into repeatable serial production.
Provide feedback to improve manufacturability, assembly time, and reliability.
Support setup and optimisation of tooling, fixtures, and workstations.
3. Quality & Continuous Improvement
Ensure consistent product quality through practical process controls, not bureaucracy.
Manage defects, rework, scrap, and returns; drive systematic reduction of production losses.
Support root-cause analysis and corrective actions in collaboration with Engineering.
4. Cost Control & Unit Economics (Production - Level)
Manage production cost structure at shop-floor level, including labour, materials, and overhead.
Monitor unit economics (cost per UAV, COGS structure).
Perform plan-vs-actual cost tracking and variance analysis; implement corrective actions to meet target cost levels.
Control work-in-progress (WIP) and ensure accurate production reporting.
5. Inventory, Controls & Reporting
Implement and maintain practical inventory and WIP control procedures. Support internal control processes related to:
material usage
procurement approvals
spending limits within production
Prepare regular production and cost reports for Manufacturing leadership and Finance (CEO/CFO), covering:
cost structure
production efficiency
key operational risks and impacts
6. Team Leadership & Training
Lead, develop, and motivate production personnel.
Ensure assembly documentation, work instructions, and training materials are in place.
Support onboarding and training of new assemblers and technicians.Maintain a disciplined, safety-focused, and results-driven production culture.
Requirements
Proven experience in a production leadership role within manufacturing or industrial environments.
Hands-on experience managing serial production, including cost, quality, and throughput.
Solid understanding of manufacturing fundamentals:
BOM structure
standard vs actual costing
WIP and variance control
Comfortable working with production data and analytics; strong Excel skills required.
Experience using ERP / MRP or similar systems (e.g. BAS, 1C, or comparable tools).
Familiarity with modern lightweight tools (e.g. Notion, Sigma, or similar) for tracking processes and production data.
Strong problem-solving and analytical mindset.
Ability to operate effectively in a fast-changing, resource-constrained environment.
Fluency in Ukrainian and working proficiency in English (daily interaction with international partners).
Proven experience in a production leadership role within manufacturing or industrial environments.
Hands-on experience managing serial production, including cost, quality, and throughput.
Solid understanding of manufacturing fundamentals:
BOM structure
standard vs actual costing
WIP and variance control
Comfortable working with production data and analytics; strong Excel skills required.
Experience using ERP / MRP or similar systems (e.g. BAS, 1C, or comparable tools).
Familiarity with modern lightweight tools (e.g. Notion, Sigma, or similar) for tracking processes and production data.
Strong problem-solving and analytical mindset.
Ability to operate effectively in a fast-changing, resource-constrained environment.
Fluency in Ukrainian and working proficiency in English (daily interaction with international partners).
We Offer
Participation in high-impact, high-tech projects strengthening Ukraine’s defence capability.
Reservation, subject to valid military registration documents.
A mission-driven team that values initiative, responsibility, and results.
Opportunity to receive company stock options (subject to role and performance).
Participation in high-impact, high-tech projects strengthening Ukraine’s defence capability.
Reservation, subject to valid military registration documents.
A mission-driven team that values initiative, responsibility, and results.
Opportunity to receive company stock options (subject to role and performance).
NDA