How to Be Aerospace Production Planner - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Nov 28, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Aerospace Production Planners are responsible for planning and monitoring the production of aircraft and related components. They coordinate with other departments to ensure that materials, personnel and equipment are adequately available to meet the production schedule. By keeping track of inventory, production timelines and budget constraints, they help ensure that projects stay on track and are completed within the specified time frame.

This helps to ensure that companies remain profitable while producing quality products safely and efficiently. Without these professionals, aircraft production would suffer from delays, increased costs, and poor quality control.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. Most aerospace production planners need to have a bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or a related field to qualify for this role. This degree should include coursework in business, engineering, mathematics, and management.
Obtain On-the-Job Experience. Aerospace production planners typically need to have on-the-job experience to qualify for the position. This can be gained through internships or work experience in engineering, operations, or other related fields.
Obtain Professional Certifications. Many aerospace production planners choose to obtain professional certifications to demonstrate their knowledge and skills. Certifications such as those offered by the American Society for Quality and the Project Management Institute are helpful in this role.
Develop Organizational Skills. Aerospace production planners need to be highly organized and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Working on projects from start to finish is important, so developing organizational and time management skills is essential.
Become Familiar with Aerospace Regulations. Aerospace production planners need to be familiar with regulations and standards set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It is important for them to understand the requirements for producing safe and reliable parts for aerospace products.

The success of any aerospace production planning process depends on the ability to create an ideal and efficient plan. To achieve this, managers must have a comprehensive understanding of the production process, the resources required, and the timeline for completion. they must consider the costs associated with materials, labor, and other resources that are necessary for a successful production plan.

By carefully analyzing these components and making informed decisions, managers can create an effective and efficient production plan that will maximize output while minimizing cost. This can be accomplished by closely monitoring progress, setting realistic goals and timelines, and implementing strategies to streamline the production process. effective communication and collaboration between all stakeholders is essential for a successful aerospace production plan.

You may want to check Aerospace Machinist, Aerospace Structural Engineer, and Aerospace Tooling Specialist for alternative.

Job Description

Develop and maintain production plans and schedules that ensure successful completion of aerospace projects.
Monitor and report on production progress against plan and update plans accordingly.
Coordinate with internal departments and external suppliers to ensure timely delivery of materials and components.
Monitor, analyze, and document production metrics to identify issues and opportunities for improvement.
Develop and maintain production floor layout plans to maximize efficiency and safety.
Ensure compliance with safety, quality and environmental regulations and principles.
Support production staff in the identification and resolution of issues.
Work with engineering teams to develop best practices for product design and assembly.
Establish and track production budgets and monitor expenses to ensure cost efficiency.
Develop, implement, and maintain effective inventory management systems.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of aerospace parts and assemblies
Knowledge of aerospace production processes and procedures
Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications
Ability to plan and organize production schedules
Excellent communication skills and the ability to interact effectively with team members
Strong problem solving and decision-making skills
Knowledge of manufacturing processes and quality control standards
Proficient in MS Office applications and ERP systems
Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles
Ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines

Aerospace Production Planner is a vital role in the aerospace industry and requires a variety of skills to be successful. An effective planner must have excellent organizational skills, be able to manage multiple tasks at once, and have a strong understanding of the aerospace industry and its processes. They must also be able to anticipate potential problems and develop alternative solutions.

Furthermore, they must have strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with colleagues and be able to recognize and address customer needs. Without these skills, production planners would be unable to effectively coordinate the complex logistics of aerospace production, leading to delays in production, cost overruns, and customer dissatisfaction. these skills are essential for any successful aerospace production planner.

Aerospace Technician, Aerospace Manufacturing Engineer, and Aerospace Program Manager are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in aerospace production planning?
What methods do you use to ensure timely production of aerospace projects?
How do you develop production schedules for aerospace projects?
How do you ensure production plans are executed and tracked successfully?
What strategies do you use to manage multiple projects with tight timelines?
How have you handled complex supply chain issues in aerospace production planning?
What metrics and KPIs have you used to measure the success of aerospace production plans?
What systems and software have you used in aerospace production planning?
Describe a time when you had to adjust a production plan due to changes or delays?
How do you stay informed of new technologies and trends in aerospace production planning?

Common Tools in Industry

Manufacturing Process Planning Software. This software helps streamline the manufacturing process by allowing planners to enter product data and create detailed production plans. (eg: Oracle Manufacturing Cloud)
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software. This software helps streamline processes across an entire enterprise by integrating production, accounting, sales, and other functions into a single system. (eg: SAP ERP)
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Software. This software simplifies the design process and allows designers to create 3D models for parts and assemblies prior to production. (eg: Autodesk Fusion 360)
Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) Software. This software allows planners to generate tool paths for machining and generate instructions for automated equipment. (eg: GibbsCAM)
Production Scheduling Software. This software helps planners optimize production schedules based on production capacity, customer orders, and inventory levels. (eg: Factory Scheduler)
Quality Management Software. This software helps planners track defects, document non-conformance, and monitor quality levels. (eg: IQMS Quality Management Software)

Professional Organizations to Know

The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA)
The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA)
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW)
The American Society for Quality (ASQ)
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)
The American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS)
The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE)
The Project Management Institute (PMI)

We also have Aerospace Design Engineer, Aerospace Electrical Engineer, and Aerospace Project Coordinator jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Bill of Materials (BOM). A list of all the parts, components, assemblies, and materials required to build a product.
Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP). A software system used to manage the flow of materials and resources through the production process in order to minimize waste and ensure on-time delivery.
Production Scheduling. The process of determining which tasks to perform and when in order to meet customer demand in the most efficient way possible.
Capacity Planning. The process of determining how much capacity a company needs in order to meet customer demand.
Inventory Management. The process of tracking and controlling the amount of raw materials, finished goods, and supplies in stock.
Quality Control. The process of ensuring that products meet predetermined standards of quality.
Supply Chain Management. The process of managing the flow of materials, parts, and components from suppliers to customers in the most efficient way possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main purpose of an Aerospace Production Planner?

The main purpose of an Aerospace Production Planner is to coordinate and track the production of aerospace parts and components, ensuring that production meets quality, quantity, and cost requirements.

What qualifications are required to be an Aerospace Production Planner?

To be an Aerospace Production Planner, one must possess a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering or related field, with knowledge of aerospace manufacturing processes and familiarity with computer-aided design (CAD) software. Additionally, experience in aerospace production planning, part ordering, scheduling, and quality control is preferred.

What tasks are typically performed by an Aerospace Production Planner?

An Aerospace Production Planner is responsible for planning and scheduling production activities, ordering parts and components, monitoring progress against production schedules, tracking inventory levels, and performing quality control checks. Additionally, Aerospace Production Planners may be required to assist with optimizing production processes and developing cost control strategies.

What are the typical working conditions for an Aerospace Production Planner?

Aerospace Production Planners typically work in an office environment, but may also be required to visit production sites to inspect processes and products. They must be comfortable working with computers and other office equipment.

What is the average salary for an Aerospace Production Planner?

According to PayScale, the median annual salary for an Aerospace Production Planner is $62,908. Salaries vary depending on experience, location, company size, and other factors.