Distributed Manufacturing Program Lead

Role summary

Distributed Manufacturing Program Lead is a role at Pacific Impact Zone Solutions in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States (hybrid). Posted 2026-08-04. Experience level: 5-10.

Job title

Distributed Manufacturing Program Lead

Company

Pacific Impact Zone Solutions

Location

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

Work arrangement

hybrid

Category

Logistics & Warehousing

Experience level

5-10

Date posted

2026-08-04

Job description

Role Description

Pacific Impact Zone (PIZ) is seeking a Distributed Manufacturing Program Lead to spearhead its efforts to catalyze a distributed manufacturing production capacity in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. These efforts are designed to solve one of the harder logistics problems in modern defense: sustaining operations when centralized supply chains are contested, degraded, or unavailable.

This role leads the development of a distributed manufacturing capability designed to sustain operations in contested logistics environments.

You will own the development of an emerging capability that integrates manufacturing, materials science, logistics, and operational decision-making in contested environments. This includes shaping the concept for, aligning stakeholders with, and guiding the development of an orchestration platform that connects distributed production with real-world mission needs.

This is not a traditional product role.

This is not a defined program with clear guardrails.

You will operate in ambiguity, make decisions with incomplete information, and build something that does not currently exist.

Salary Range: $150k - $175k annually

Essential Duties / Responsibilities

Program & Capability Leadership

Own the development of a distributed manufacturing capability from concept through early implementation/transition

Define how manufacturing, materials science, logistics, and operational needs connect in a contested environment

Drive progress across an evolving, partially defined problem space

Platform Development (Not Just Product Management)

Guide development of an orchestration platform that enables real-time coordination across distributed manufacturing nodes

Translate operational needs into clear, buildable requirements for the development team

Make tradeoff decisions between technical feasibility and mission impact

Operational Concept Development

Build and continuously refine the end-to-end concept: point-of-need → production → fulfillment → validation

Integrate biomanufacturing and alternative material sourcing into the broader system

Identify gaps, pressure test assumptions, and evolve the model based on real constraints

Stakeholder Alignment & Execution

Engage mission partners, technical teams, and leadership to align priorities and drive progress

Navigate competing stakeholder interests across operators, funders, and end users

Build relationships and secure buy-in to pilot and validate emerging capabilities

Systems Thinking & Integration

Maintain a full-system view across supply inputs, manufacturing nodes, logistics pathways, and operational timelines

Ensure the platform and process evolve together—not independently

Capture lessons learned and build repeatable knowledge for PIZ’s broader mission

What This Role Is (and Is Not)

This role is:

A program lead for an emerging defense capability

A systems integrator across technology, operations, and stakeholders

A builder operating at the intersection of concept and execution

This role is not:

A traditional Agile Product Owner managing a backlog

A narrowly scoped software or data platform role

A pure strategy or architecture position removed from execution

Job Requirements and Qualifications

Required

Direct experience in DoD or defense-adjacent environments (military, government, or contractor)

Exposure to logistics, sustainment, or operations where supply constraints were real

Demonstrated ownership of complex, ambiguous workstreams from concept to execution

Strong systems thinking—ability to connect multiple moving parts into a coherent solution

Ability to work with technical teams and translate operational needs into actionable direction

Current clearance eligibility - This position requires current Secret personnel security clearance eligibility , verifiable through the appropriate government system, and the ability to maintain the required eligibility and access

Preferred

Experience with distributed systems, manufacturing, or supply chain operations

Familiarity with contested logistics or Indo-Pacific operational challenges

Exposure to R&D, prototyping, or innovation-driven programs

Awareness of biomanufacturing or alternative material sourcing concepts

Education : BS in Engineering or equivalent; former military enlisted personnel with directly related experience are also eligible.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

How You Work

You focus on solving the operational problem—not just building the tool

You are comfortable making decisions without complete information

You can operate at both strategic and tactical levels simultaneously

You communicate directly and push back when needed

You build alignment across groups that do not naturally agree

You create structure where none yet exists

Work Environment:

Full time, exempt position.

This role may be performed in-person or in a hybrid remote capacity but preferred out of our Honolulu, HI office. Work can be performed from any location; however, employees in a hybrid remote arrangement are required to maintain working hours of 8: