Hadrian - Manufacturing the Future

Hadrian is building autonomous factories that help aerospace and defense companies make rockets, jets, and satellites 10x faster and 2x cheaper. Our CEO, Chris Power, discusses the importance of what we're building in this video.

We are a lean but mighty team (and growing!) of people who are passionate about building critical infrastructure to support the nation and advance humanity.

We've raised >$200m to achieve this vision, with multiple rounds from Lux Capital, A16Z, Founders Fund, Construct Capital, Caffeinated Capital, and more.

We use AI and Robotics to automate and scale factories that are globally cost-competitive and future-proof from the dramatic skilled labor shortage facing the Advanced Industrial Base.

Hadrian works with startups, Primes, and Tier 1/2s in all markets to cost-down, scale, or otherwise enable them to hit production rates on critical programs in Rocketry, Satellites, Shipbuilding, Commercial and Military aircraft, and other core, mission-critical industries.

The Role:

As a Manufacturing Strategy Analyst—Special Projects, you will play a pivotal role in diagnosing systemic inefficiencies in defense manufacturing and translating your findings into high-impact business cases and proposals. This hybrid role combines operational analytics, executive storytelling, proposal development, and early-stage program coordination to support Hadrian’s mission of enabling factory autonomy across critical national security supply chains.

You’ll work across a broad spectrum of stakeholders – from shop floor technicians to program office leaders to Hadrian’s executive team – to translate technical findings into quantified business insights and structured program approaches. You’ll also support special projects, accelerating our federal growth, and help lay the foundation for scalable, impactful program delivery.

Your responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Conduct deep operational diagnostics across aerospace and defense environments – using value-stream mapping, time studies, and process mining to uncover the root causes of cost and schedule overruns.

• Model and quantify business impacts, turning operational inefficiencies into executive-level insights via cost/schedule forecasting, EVM variance modeling, and ROI projections.

• Develop and deliver business cases and RFP responses, translating technical and strategic inputs into compelling proposals, presentations, and bid materials – while owning proposal timelines and internal coordination to ensure submissions are complete, compliant, and on-brand.

• Maintain a library of reusable proposal content and assets to streamline future responses and reduce turnaround time across commercial and federal bids.

• Lead cross-functional alignment to ensure insights, assumptions, and recommendations resonate from the shop floor to the C-suite and across customer program offices.

• Support solution scoping and implementation, partnering with engineering and program teams to tie manufacturing pain points to automation, tooling, and factory design options.

• Track early-stage programs as they move through the sales and staffing funnel – helping maintain visibility via centralized tools (e.g., Airtable), surfacing cross-functional insights, and contributing to framing rollout options for new initiatives.

• Contribute to special projects and executive storytelling, including developing PowerPoint briefings and supporting early-stage program coordination ahead of formal program management transitions.

• Must be willing and able to travel to sites across the U.S. up to 20–50%.

What We’re Looking For:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Operations Research, Business, Economics, or a related technical field.

• Minimum 4 years’ experience in manufacturing strategy, operations consulting, or defense/aerospace production environments – especially with exposure to executive stakeholders and major acquisition programs.

• Strong data analysis and modeling skills: advanced Excel and financial modeling; proficiency in SQL and one scripting/analytics language (e.g., Python or R).

• Demonstrated ability to translate manufacturing metrics (OEE, SPC, yield) into business impacts (e.g., EAC, EBIT, EVMS variance); fluent in interpreting production documents and navigating shop floors.

• Strong visual storytelling skills with tools like PowerPoint, Keynote, or Figma; able to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively under tight deadlines.

What Will Set You Apart:

• Direct experience developing government proposals, RFP/RFQ responses, or pitch decks for federal contracts – ideally in defense or aerospace sectors.

• Background in the DoD ecosystem, such as prior service or time in a PEO, acquisition office, or industrial base management role.

• Familiarity with Lean Six Sigma methodologies, MES/ERP systems (e.g., SAP, DELMIA, Teamcenter), or discrete-event simulation tools.

• Exposure to or support for early-stage program framing – especially in cross-functional, high-stakes environments with executive visibility.

• High ownership mindset with a bias toward action and clarity – thrives in fast-moving, ambiguous environments where priorities shift and impact is immediate.

Benefits:

• 100% coverage of platinum medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees

• 401k

• Relocation stipend if you’re moving from outside of LA

• Flexible vacation policy

It is the policy of Hadrian Automation, Inc. to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.