You in This Role as the Build Supervisor, you will lead and execute build operations at Unusual Machines, owning day-to-day production flow, people leadership, and execution against output, quality, and safety goals. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who is equally comfortable on the floor as they are making real-time decisions that keep builds moving and teams aligned.
This is a highly visible role in a growing manufacturing environment with evolving processes and no rigid playbook. You'll help define how work is prioritized, how teams are deployed, and how production challenges are solved in real time. You'll play a critical role in driving consistency, accountability, and operational discipline as the organization scales.
A Day in the Life
You start your day on the production floor, aligning the team on build priorities, staffing, and daily output goals. Throughout the shift, you're visible and hands-on—monitoring workflow, adjusting assignments, and resolving issues to keep builds on track.
You coach team members in real time, approve timecards and PTO, and address attendance or performance concerns as needed. You track production metrics, communicate status updates to leadership, and collaborate cross-functionally to support order fulfillment.
By the end of the shift, you ensure a clean handoff, document key updates, and leave the floor set up for continued success.
What You'll Do
Production & Operations Management
- Lead and oversee all first-shift production activities to meet daily output, quality, and efficiency targets
- Assign workstations and balance labor based on production schedules and skill sets
- Monitor workflow, throughput, and bottlenecks; take immediate corrective action when issues arise
- Review production schedules and align daily goals with broader operational priorities
- Track and report production metrics, scrap, rework, and downtime
Inventory & Materials Oversight
- Coordinate inventory movement related to production needs, including adding and removing SKUs
- Ensure accurate tracking of materials, work-in-process, and finished goods
- Maintain daily scrap inventory tallies and collaborate on reduction initiatives
People Leadership & Employee Relations
- Supervise, coach, and develop hourly production staff
- Approve timecards, PTO requests, and shift coverage
- Address attendance, performance, and conduct issues promptly
- Partner with HR on investigations and corrective actions
Quality & Safety Compliance
- Ensure compliance with all safety, quality, and company policies
- Reinforce proper use of tools, equipment, and ESD-safe practices
- Conduct floor walks to identify safety risks and quality issues
Communication & Collaboration
- Serve as primary point of contact for first-shift operations
- Communicate production status and staffing updates to leadership
- Coordinate with sales, logistics, and inventory teams
- Partner cross-functionally to support product launches and production readiness
- Define the structure, roles, and operating model of the procurement organization
- Develop procurement metrics and reporting to support margin and cost objectives
What You'll Bring
- Prior supervisory experience in manufacturing or production
- Strong understanding of production workflows and scheduling
- Ability to lead, coach, and hold teams accountable
- Comfort handling employee relations matters
Requirements
Required:
- Prior supervisory or lead experience in a manufacturing or production environment
- Hands-on experience with electronic, electromechanical, or precision assemblies
- Demonstrated experience working within multi-step technical build processes requiring strict quality controls
- Strong attention to detail with the ability to identify defects, inconsistencies, or process risks
- Ability to read and follow technical work instructions, drawings, or assembly documentation
- Proven ability to communicate production issues clearly and escalate appropriately
Preferred:
- Experience with soldering, electronics assembly, or electromechanical systems
- Background in environments where precision components and tight tolerances are standard
- Familiarity with quality systems, defect tracking, or continuous improvement methodologies
- Experience partnering with Engineering teams to improve manufacturability or resolve build issues
- Comfort working in fast-paced, high-accountability production environments
What You'll Gain
- Visible leadership role with measurable operational impact
- Opportunity to shape processes and team performance
- Direct partnership with operations leadership and HR
You'll collaborate closely with Manufacturing, Planning, Engineering, Sales, and Inventory teams while maintaining clear ownership of day-to-day build execution and shift performance.
Benefits
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive compensation package
- Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision
- 401(k)
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Employee product discounts
About Us
Unusual Machines is a U.S.-based drone and drone parts company focused on the small and First-Person View (FPV) segments of the drone market. Our brands - Rotor Riot and Fat Shark - are two of the most respected names in FPV and have helped shape the industry through e-commerce, product development, and a deep connection with the pilot community.
We're expanding into enterprise and defense - bringing our obsessive attention to performance, design, and U.S.-based manufacturing into high-stakes environments like search and rescue, STEM education, and military innovation. With several of our products already approved by the Defense Innovation Unit, we're solving procurement issues for customers who demand speed, agility, and compliance.
If you love working at the intersection of community, content, and cutting-edge technology, you'll feel right at home here.
We are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.
Unusual Machines participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.
We unfortunately cannot offer visa sponsorship for this position.
