Senior Production Planner

Description

Be part of the founding Operations team launching the first US aircraft assembly line for Pilatus.

Pilatus Aircraft USA Ltd is launching a new PC-12 final assembly operation in Sarasota, Florida. To establish this operation successfully, we are seeking highly experienced aircraft assembly professionals to join our launch team.

Launch team members are selected based on proven hands-on experience, technical maturity, and the ability to work independently in a production environment.

This role goes beyond traditional production planning. It combines shopfloor production control, SAP-based order management, material prioritization, and day-to-day operational steering of an aircraft assembly line.

Successful candidates will complete approximately 6-12 months of advanced, hands-on training at Pilatus headquarters in Stans, Switzerland, working directly within an established production line. Training starts summer 2026. Upon return to Sarasota, Launch Team members will work alongside Mentors from the Pilatus factory, serving as core technical experts, mentors, and potential future leaders, supporting ramp-up of the Sarasota assembly line and training of new personnel. 

We invite you to visit our website to learn more about this opportunity.

Launch Team | Pilatus Aircraft

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Helps analyze production specifications to determine manufacturing processes, tools, and personnel requirements
• Prepares, releases, and controls production work orders in SAP, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and timing
• Coordinates rework and follows up on orders resulting from quality findings or configuration changes
• Actively prioritizes missing or critical material in coordination with logistics, procurement, and disposition
• Develops operational strategies to achieve production and financial objectives
• Provides engineering support for production and maintenance activities to ensure maximum production
• Learns and applies Pilatus production control methods, SAP structures, and best practices during the Switzerland training assignment
• Captures operational know-how and transfers production control standards into the Sarasota organization
• Supports digitalization and process improvement projects related to production planning and control

Other Duties/Responsibilities

• Operates with a high degree of autonomy and operational ownership
• Serves as a proactive coordination hub between production, logistics, quality, and engineering
• Identifies process disruptions, material risks, and planning gaps early and drives mitigation actions
• Leads without formal authority through data, structure, and communication
• Balances schedule adherence, quality, and cost awareness in daily decision-making
• Supports early problem-solving before full-rate production is achieved

Requirements

Skills/Qualifications

• Technical or industrial education (e.g., industrial engineering, manufacturing, aviation, or comparable technical background)
• Minimum of 5 – 8 years of experience in production control, manufacturing planning, or shopfloor operations (aerospace or complex manufacturing environment preferred)
• Strong hands-on experience with ERP systems; SAP (S/4 or ECC) experience strongly preferred
• Proven experience in work order release, tracking and follow-up; material prioritization and shortage management; KPI-driven decision-making
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to work fact-based and structured
• Confident communicator able to interface across functions and organizational levels
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)

What We Offer

• Unique opportunity to help launch Pilatus’ first US PC-12 assembly line
• International training assignment, cultural exchange, language training at Pilatus headquarters in Stans, Switzerland (approx. 6-12 months)
• Comprehensive support package for the Switzerland assignment (details provided separately)
• Long-term career growth opportunities, including paths into Team Lead, Specialist, or leadership roles as the program matures
• Competitive compensation, benefits, and retention incentives
• 11 paid holidays a year, plus 15 days of paid vacation time, and 6 days of paid sick/personal time to start with an increase to 20 days of paid vacation time after 5 years with Pilatus
• 90% of medical, dental, and vision premiums paid for single coverage and 80% for family coverage, averaging $9,600 annually
• Monthly health savings account (HSA) contributions totaling $2,250 for single coverage and $3,000 for family coverage annually
• 401(k) retirement plan matching up to 6%
• Life and long-term disability insurance premiums paid in full

The salary range for this position is $86,000 - 108,000 per year depending on experience. Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.

Pilatus Aircraft USA Ltd provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and 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. 

To submit a paper application, please mail your resume to 12300 Pilatus Way, Broomfield, CO 80021 Attention: Human Resources. No walk-ins please.  If personalized assistance is needed to complete an online application for this position, please email employment.us@pilatus-aircraft.com with your request.