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.