Manufacturing Team Lead - Metal Structures for Space Industry (all genders)

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

THE WHY
To end COPV failure in spaceflight. No liner, no pressure vessel. No pressure vessel, no mission. The liner team is where production reliability begins — and where it can fail. This role exists to make sure it never does.

THE WHAT
You own the metal. Every forming step, every weld, every machined surface that becomes a liner is your responsibility. You take over an existing team, develop it, and build the system that turns individual output into serial production performance.
You ensure:

• metal processing is executed with precision and repeatability
• your team has clear ownership and grows with the mission
• production is never blocked by a liner-side constraint

You don’t just run a team. You manufacture reliability.

Your tasks in detail and by priority:

• Take over and develop the liner team: Own the existing team from day one. Continue its development, drive output, and set the standard for quality and throughput. → Accountability: Own your impact. No passengers.
• Own all metal processing steps: Full ownership of forming, welding, and machining processes for liner production — from first operation to finished part. → High Performance: Precision at speed. Outcome first.
• Lead and grow the team to Blackwave standards: Build a team that performs under pressure, gives direct feedback, and holds itself accountable — in line with our values. → Togetherness: One team. High bar for everyone.
• Coordinate with production demands: Translate production schedules into team priorities. Unblock bottlenecks fast. Keep output on track. → Candor: Surface problems early. Solve them faster.
• Drive process improvement toward serial production: Identify gaps in manufacturing maturity and close them. Push processes toward repeatability, documentation, and scale. → Playfulness: Experiment. Learn fast. Improve relentlessly.

YOUR PROFILE

• Ownership: You take full responsibility for your team’s output. You don’t wait to be asked — you lead yourself and your team with clarity, even when it’s uncomfortable.
• Education: MSc in Engineering — Aerospace, Mechanical, or equivalent
• Leadership experience: You’ve led people before, not just projects. You know what real team development looks like.
• Technical know-how: Strong foundation in metal processing — forming, welding, or machining. You understand the process from the inside.
• Communication: Clear and direct at every level — operators, technicians, and C-level. You get the message across without noise.
• On-site presence: Fully on-site. This role leads by being there.
• Language skills: English C1 minimum. German B1 minimum.
• Nice to have: Planning and project management experience in a manufacturing environment. Hands-on shopfloor background.

WHAT WE OFFER

• High level of autonomy & real impact: Be part of shaping our high-tech production landscape
• Flexible working hours & remote work options based on mutual agreement
• Startup mindset meets aerospace innovation: Flat hierarchies, fast decisions, and space for your ideas
• Choose your own benefit: Germany ticket, Egym Wellpass, or a tax-free Give Card
• Healthy & social lunch culture: Enjoy fresh meals during shared lunch breaks
• Stunning views: Wind down on our rooftop terrace with breathtaking views of the Alps in Taufkirchen or enjoy our indoor garden in Garching-Hochbrück
• Growth opportunities: Work on exciting projects and learn from inspiring people
• We live our team culture: From tech talks to team events and after-work gatherings – we celebrate success together