Workforce Programs Manager

Hadrian - Manufacturing the FutureHadrian is building autonomous factories that help aerospace and defense companies manufacture rockets, satellites, jets, and ships up to 10x faster and up to 2x cheaper. By combining advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing, we are reinventing how America produces its most critical parts.We're accelerating our mission with the launch of Factory 3 in Mesa, Arizona, a 290,000-square-foot facility creating 350 new jobs. We are expanding rapidly to support thousands of future hires, launching Hadrian Maritime to expand into naval production, and introducing a Factory-as-a-Service model that delivers complete systems instead of individual parts.Hadrian is backed by leading investors including T. Rowe Price, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, and Andreessen Horowitz, our fast-growing team is united around reindustrializing American manufacturing for the 21st century and beyond.The RoleHadrian is building the most advanced manufacturing platform in the world. As we expand into new markets and launch new factory locations, our ability to develop local talent pipelines through institutional partnerships isn't a nice-to-have - it's a prerequisite for a successful factory launch.We're looking for a Workforce Programs Manager to own Hadrian's external training strategy and the institutional relationships that build our talent pipeline across the communities where we operate. This is a new function - you're the first hire in it - and it's tied directly to our factory expansion roadmap.You'll develop the framework for when Hadrian trains internally versus through external partners, build and manage a portfolio of community colleges, universities, trade schools, veteran programs, and high school partnerships, and ensure external programs meet Hadrian's standards and integrate cleanly with internal onboarding. This is a role for someone who understands how educational institutions actually operate, can translate complex workforce needs into actionable program designs, and is energized by building something that doesn't exist yet.The right person is equally comfortable in a boardroom with a college president and on a factory floor with a Training Lead.What You'll DoPartnership StrategyDevelop and maintain a framework for determining whether a training need is best met internally or through an external partnerMap and prioritize institutional partners by geographic market, program fit, and pipeline potentialOwn the long-term strategy for building Hadrian's talent pipeline across all markets, including identifying non-traditional pathways through veteran programs and industry associationsPartner Portfolio ManagementBuild and manage a portfolio of active institutional partnerships - community colleges, universities, trade schools, veteran programs, industry associations, and dual-enrollment high school pathwaysRepresent Hadrian in partner negotiations, MOU development, and ongoing relationship management with institutional leadershipOversee Hadrian's existing high school internship program and expand similar models into new marketsCurriculum and Program OversightWork with external partners to ensure their programs align with Hadrian's technical and behavioral standardsOwn curriculum review and approval for outsourced training programs, providing specific, actionable feedback and holding partners to defined quality benchmarksCollaborate with Training Operations to ensure external program outputs integrate smoothly with internal onboarding and close gaps between what external programs produce and what Hadrian actually needsPartner Performance and OperationsEstablish success metrics for each partner relationship and run regular performance reviews against those standardsTrack cohort outcomes for externally trained candidates and use that data to refine partner strategy over timeManage grant opportunities and external funding that support partner program developmentMaintain systems and documentation that give internal stakeholders clear visibility into the external training pipelineCommunity Presence* Build Hadrian's reputation as a partner of choice in the communities where we operate* Create relationships that support long-term talent development and workforce sustainability across all Hadrian marketsWhat We're Looking For7+ years in workforce development, partner success, educational program management, or a related fieldDemonstrated experience managing relationships with educational institutions - including navigating institutional bureaucracy and building durable agreementsBackground in instructional design, curriculum review, or training operations with an ability to evaluate program quality against defined standardsTrack record of building or significantly growing a partnership function, not just maintaining oneStrong cross-functional communication - you can represent workforce needs to factory leadership and translate operational realities back to institutional partnersComfort operating in an environment where the playbook is still being writtenBachelor's degree in Education, Workforce Development, Business, Public Policy, or a related field; advanced degree a plus; equivalent experience consideredWhat Will Set You ApartExperience with workforce development grants, government funding programs, or public-private partnershipsBackground in or deep familiarity with community college systemsExperience building dual-enrollment or early college programs with high schoolsFamiliarity with advanced manufacturing or precision manufacturing environmentsExperience working in or alongside a fast-scaling company where the workforce development playbook was still being writtenA genuine point of view on what manufacturing workforce development should look like for the next generation - not just how it's always been doneBenefits for Full-time Employees* Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees* 401k* Relocation support may be provided for certain situations, based on business need.* Flexible vacation policyITAR RequirementsTo 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.Hadrian Is An Equal Opportunity EmployerIt is the Company's policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. The Company does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race inclusive of traits historically associated with race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, such as braids, locks and twists), color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin (including, in California, possession of a drivers license), ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, height or weight, medical condition, family care status, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, exercise of reproductive rights, any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws, or any combination of the above characteristics. When necessary, the Company also makes reasonable accommodations for disabled candidates and employees, including for candidates or employees who are disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.