Job VC
Production Preparation Engineer
Technologies
Description
About Us
We are an international defense startup, rapidly expanding to support the Ukrainian national needs. As a startup, we operate in a highly flexible environment where agility, adaptability, and a hands-on approach are critical for success.
Position Overview
We are looking for a hands-on Production Preparation Engineer to build and sustain the operational backbone of our drone manufacturing process. This role exists to bridge the gap between engineering design and shop-floor execution — ensuring that every assembly step is documented, optimized, and easy to follow.
You will join our Operations team and work in close collaboration with design engineers, quality, and production personnel. Your work will directly determine how fast and how reliably we scale production of our UAV systems to meet growing frontline demand.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and maintain detailed work instructions, routing sheets, and assembly procedures for all production stages of UAV manufacturing.
Create clear visual work instructions (VWI) — diagrams, photo sequences, annotated drawings — to ensure unambiguous guidance on the shop floor.
Perform production line balancing: calculate takt times, cycle times, and workload distribution across workstations to maximize throughput and eliminate bottlenecks.
Support New Product Introduction (NPI) by translating engineering designs and BOMs into manufacturable, step-by-step production plans.
Develop and maintain process documentation: PFMEAs, control plans, tooling lists, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Identify and implement process improvements using lean manufacturing principles (5S, Kaizen, waste elimination).
Collaborate with Design Engineering to provide DFM feedback and ensure smooth handoff from prototype to serial production.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field.
3+ years of experience in production preparation, process engineering, or manufacturing engineering — preferably in electronics, aerospace, or hardware assembly.
Experience in assembly manufacturing of any kind — mechanical, electromechanical, furniture, automotive, or similar.
Exposure to production preparation activities: work instructions, routing, tooling setup, or process documentation — even in part.
Basic understanding of production flow and line organization principles.
Solid understanding of production processes: assembly, soldering, testing, mechanical integration.
Experience developing visual work instructions and technical documentation.
Knowledge of line balancing methods, takt time calculation, and production flow analysis.
Proficiency with CAD tools (SolidWorks, CATIA, or similar) for referencing drawings and creating visual aids.
Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems for BOM and routing management.
Nice to Have
Experience in electronics assembly is a plus but not required.
Lean / Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher).
Experience with PLM or ERP/MRP systems.
Ability to create visual aids: 3D animations, video instructions, or illustrated SOPs.
Together We Will
Work in a dynamic and mission-driven environment where your work has real impact.
Have the opportunity to build production processes from the ground up for innovative UAV products.
Work alongside a senior-level, multidisciplinary engineering team.
Full-time position & official employment.
Competitive salary (level to be discussed individually based on interview results).
Reservation from mobilization.
We are an international defense startup, rapidly expanding to support the Ukrainian national needs. As a startup, we operate in a highly flexible environment where agility, adaptability, and a hands-on approach are critical for success.
Position Overview
We are looking for a hands-on Production Preparation Engineer to build and sustain the operational backbone of our drone manufacturing process. This role exists to bridge the gap between engineering design and shop-floor execution — ensuring that every assembly step is documented, optimized, and easy to follow.
You will join our Operations team and work in close collaboration with design engineers, quality, and production personnel. Your work will directly determine how fast and how reliably we scale production of our UAV systems to meet growing frontline demand.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and maintain detailed work instructions, routing sheets, and assembly procedures for all production stages of UAV manufacturing.
Create clear visual work instructions (VWI) — diagrams, photo sequences, annotated drawings — to ensure unambiguous guidance on the shop floor.
Perform production line balancing: calculate takt times, cycle times, and workload distribution across workstations to maximize throughput and eliminate bottlenecks.
Support New Product Introduction (NPI) by translating engineering designs and BOMs into manufacturable, step-by-step production plans.
Develop and maintain process documentation: PFMEAs, control plans, tooling lists, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Identify and implement process improvements using lean manufacturing principles (5S, Kaizen, waste elimination).
Collaborate with Design Engineering to provide DFM feedback and ensure smooth handoff from prototype to serial production.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field.
3+ years of experience in production preparation, process engineering, or manufacturing engineering — preferably in electronics, aerospace, or hardware assembly.
Experience in assembly manufacturing of any kind — mechanical, electromechanical, furniture, automotive, or similar.
Exposure to production preparation activities: work instructions, routing, tooling setup, or process documentation — even in part.
Basic understanding of production flow and line organization principles.
Solid understanding of production processes: assembly, soldering, testing, mechanical integration.
Experience developing visual work instructions and technical documentation.
Knowledge of line balancing methods, takt time calculation, and production flow analysis.
Proficiency with CAD tools (SolidWorks, CATIA, or similar) for referencing drawings and creating visual aids.
Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems for BOM and routing management.
Nice to Have
Experience in electronics assembly is a plus but not required.
Lean / Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher).
Experience with PLM or ERP/MRP systems.
Ability to create visual aids: 3D animations, video instructions, or illustrated SOPs.
Together We Will
Work in a dynamic and mission-driven environment where your work has real impact.
Have the opportunity to build production processes from the ground up for innovative UAV products.
Work alongside a senior-level, multidisciplinary engineering team.
Full-time position & official employment.
Competitive salary (level to be discussed individually based on interview results).
Reservation from mobilization.