Leidos Security Enterprise Solutions is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Manager to join our manufacturing organization at our Vista, CA facility. In this role, you will lead the production of advanced inspection and security systems deployed in airports and at border crossings worldwide. Our organization supports a global customer base and offers a diverse portfolio of products, requiring a flexible manufacturing operation that adapts quickly to evolving market demands and changing production schedules.

This position requires a strong command of manufacturing operations, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to quickly adapt in a dynamic environment. The Senior Manufacturing Manager will regularly interact with and host high-profile visitors, including customers, executives, and other key stakeholders. The role oversees multiple production teams as well as the local Manufacturing Engineering organization, ensuring operational excellence, responsiveness, and continuous improvement.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop manufacturing managers, supervisors, and production teams to achieve operational excellence
• Oversee daily manufacturing operations to ensure production targets, quality standards, and delivery schedules are met
• Develop and execute manufacturing strategies aligned with company goals, customer demand, and capacity planning
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, or other operational excellence methodologies
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards (OSHA, ISO, GMP, etc., as applicable)
• Manage budgets, labor costs, and capital expenditures to meet financial targets
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Maintenance to improve processes and resolve production issues
• Analyze KPIs and operational data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement
• Lead new product introductions, scale-ups, and process changes within manufacturing
• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, teamwork, and continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related field with 8+ years of progressive manufacturing experience, including management of managers. Additional years of experience will be considered in lieu of education.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, production planning, and quality systems
• Proven experience driving continuous improvement and operational efficiency
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and changing management skills
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree (MBA or MS in Engineering/Operations)
• Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt, Black Belt, or equivalent)
• Experience with x-ray imaging devices manufacturing

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

January 22, 2026

Pay Range:

Pay Range $116,350.00 - $210,325.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.