Product Acceptance Systems Lead

• Company Overview
• ACS (Allen Control Systems) is a defense technology company building precision robotic systems for the United States and its allies. Founded by two former U.S. Navy electrical engineers with deep experience in robotics and software, ACS brings together AI, computer vision, precision motion, and advanced hardware to solve complex defense challenges across land, air, and maritime environments.

Our flagship product, Bullfrog, is an autonomous precision weapon system that transforms existing weapons into highly accurate counter-drone systems — giving warfighters a scalable, cost-effective response to one of the fastest-growing threats on the modern battlefield. Bullfrog is deployed with U.S. forces, and ACS works with organizations throughout the U.S. military and national security community.

Following a $200 million Series B at a $2.2 billion valuation, ACS is rapidly expanding manufacturing, accelerating Bullfrog deployments, and developing the next generation of autonomous battlefield systems. This is an opportunity to join a proven, fast-moving team and help scale technology with direct, real-world impact on national security.

ACS is headquartered in Austin, Texas, with additional operations in Alexandria, Virginia; Mountain View, California; and Huntsville, Alabama. For more information, visit allencontrolsystems.com .

Position Overview:

The Product Acceptance Systems Lead is responsible for developing and implementing the systems, standards, and programs that enable Product Acceptance and manufacturing operations to execute safely, consistently, and at scale.

Working across Product Acceptance, Product Execution, Quality, and Engineering, this role will identify systemic problems, develop practical solutions, and drive those solutions through implementation. The ideal candidate is a highly driven, hands-on problem solver who takes ownership, operates well in ambiguity, and gets things across the finish line.

Initial actions include:

Reduce technician onboarding from 4 weeks to 2 weeks

Achieve 100% ESD compliance

Implement standardized work for every Product Acceptance station

Develop a complete Product Acceptance knowledge base

Establish quarterly skills assessments for technicians

Launch the continuous improvement program

Standardize workstation layouts across all Product Acceptance cells

What You'll Do

Product Acceptance Systems & Standards

Develop and implement scalable product acceptance systems, standard work, visual controls, and best practices

Identify gaps in existing processes and drive sustainable solutions

Support systems for tooling, test equipment, calibration, preventive maintenance, and asset management

Reduce reliance on tribal knowledge by creating repeatable, documented processes

Training & Workforce Development

Develop structured onboarding, training, qualification, and certification programs

Build and maintain skills and cross-training matrices

Partner with Engineering, Quality, and Operations to develop technical training content

Create practical training materials, troubleshooting guides, and visual aids

Manufacturing Programs & Compliance

Lead implementation and sustainment of programs such as ESD control and IPC workmanship standards

Develop supporting procedures, training, audits, and corrective actions

Partner with Quality and Engineering to ensure manufacturing standards meet applicable requirements

Identify recurring compliance issues and drive systemic corrective actions

Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving

Lead cross-functional efforts to solve recurring problems affecting safety, quality, throughput, and efficiency

Use structured root cause analysis to identify and eliminate systemic issues

Drive improvements in standard work, workplace organization, process flow, and visual management

Spend time on the production floor identifying pain points and opportunities for improvement

Verify that implemented solutions deliver measurable and sustainable results

Production Scaling

Develop product acceptance systems and standards that scale with increasing production volume and multiple shifts

Support manufacturing readiness as new production areas and processes come online

Capture lessons learned and incorporate them into future processes

Help standardize proven product acceptance practices across teams, shifts, and future facilities

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

Experience in manufacturing, engineering, production, quality, or a related technical environment

Proven ability to take loosely defined problems and drive them through implementation

Strong hands-on problem-solving and troubleshooting skills

Experience developing or improving manufacturing processes, systems, or standard work

Ability to work effectively across Engineering, Operations, and Quality

Strong written and verbal communication skills

High degree of ownership, initiative, and follow-through

Comfortable working directly on the manufacturing floor in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in defense, aerospace, robotics, electronics, automotive, or other complex manufacturing environments

Experience with ESD control programs and/or IPC workmanship standards

Experience developing technical training or workforce qualification programs

Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, or continuous improvement methodologies

Experience supporting production ramps, NPI, or manufacturing expansion

Success in This Role

Within your first year, you will:

Establish scalable manufacturing systems supporting Product Acceptance and Product Execution

Implement structured training and qualification programs

Strengthen ESD, IPC, and other manufacturing standards

Improve standard work and documentation across key product acceptance processes

Eliminate recurring systemic problems through cross-functional improvement efforts

Reduce dependence on tribal knowledge and individual workarounds

Help prepare ACS product acceptance operations for higher production rates, multiple shifts, and future facilities

Become a trusted partner known for taking ownership and getting meaningful improvements across the finish line

What We Offer:

Competitive salary

ACS Equity Package

Health, Dental, Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Allen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.