Director Production and Quality

Title Director Production and Quality Location Englewood, CO Employment Type Full Time Position Level Senior Manager/Supervisor Status and Reporting Exempt (Administrative, Supervisory, Learned Professional (Engineer); Outside Salesperson) Reports to: CEO Rate of Pay As Described in Offer Letter Citizenship Requirement Applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, conditional residents, asylum seekers, refugees, or otherwise eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State due to Space Technology Export Regulations. The Organization Sodern America, a global manufacturer with 60+ years of innovation, is establishing a production line in Colorado to serve North American customers. The Position The director leads production and quality operations for manufacturing Star Trackers and Cameras in the U.S., ensuring safe, efficient, cost‑effective operations that meet customer expectations and business objectives. The role oversees production planning, manufacturing execution, system integration and testing, quality assurance, continuous improvement initiatives, workforce development, and operational performance. The director collaborates with Sodern France, drives local staffing, and coordinates training. Essential Functions Production Leadership Direct and oversee all local manufacturing production activities to achieve cost, quality and schedule objectives Lead production and quality team members to support daily manufacturing operations Ensure effective production scheduling and resource allocation to meet customer demand and inventory levels Monitor and report on production KPIs and make necessary adjustments to staffing and/or process Problem‑solve and support the production team when issues or obstacles arise Collaborate with Sodern France, other departments and partners to optimize the manufacturing process Manage allocated production budgets (investment, training, expenses, etc.) Ensure the availability of materials and facility needs for smooth operations Quality Leadership Provide leadership and oversight of production quality control Establish and maintain certification requirements (AS9100 etc.) Establish, implement and report on service quality indicators Provide oversight for root cause analysis and corrective action for quality issues such as defective parts Establish and maintain quality systems, procedures, audits and compliance programs Promote a culture of accountability and continuous quality improvement Operational Excellence Adopt operational excellence methodologies to enhance problem‑solving Propose and implement internal organizational improvements that reduce waste and improve yield and productivity Leverage metrics and data analytics to drive informed operational decisions Leadership & Team Development Create a dynamic team environment by building, mentoring and developing high performing production and quality teams Handle production and quality recruitment in coordination with HR Establish clear performance expectations and accountability Foster a collaborative, safety‑focused, and results‑driven culture Safety and Compliance Ensure compliance with company policy and all safety, environmental and regulatory requirements (OSHEA, etc.) Participate in incident investigations and corrective action implementations Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Deep understanding of manufacturing operations and quality systems involving complex systems production in an industrial context is required. Knowledge of relevant technical fields (mechanics, optics, electronics) and quality requirements for space, aeronautical, or similar products is required; specific knowledge of star tracker system architecture and optronics is an advantage. Understanding of continuous improvement methodologies and proven track record driving operational improvements and quality performance is required. Understanding of safety and compliance regulation and demonstrated application in a manufacturing environment is required. Background in engineering preferred; knowledge of AOCS engineering in the space industry is an advantage. Strong interpersonal skills, ability to lead and motivate teams, interact with clients, and ability to apply a pragmatic approach to management of quality, cost and schedule objectives. French language competency is an advantage. Experience 8+ years of manufacturing production and quality leadership experience required; space industry experience strongly preferred. Education Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Industrial Technology or related field required. Working Environment At the beginning of the company formation, while the office space is being built, employees will work from home. When the office is built out, work will be generally performed in an indoor professional office environment in Englewood, CO. Domestic and International travel on behalf of the organization is required. While the company strives to accomplish much of its work during typical working hours, this position and many other senior positions will require flexibility of scheduled work hours, including early morning, evening, and weekend hours for a variety of meetings and events. Salary Summary Salary Range: $120,000 - $165,000 annually plus eligible for performance bonuses. The salary information above is a general guideline; difference in wages may depend on seniority, merit, quantity/quality of production, location, education, training, experience, and travel. Benefits Health, dental and vision insurance; basic life and disability coverage; retirement benefits; supplemental benefits; paid time off. Application Instructions Please submit your resume and optional cover letter expressing why you are a good candidate for the position. The position will remain open until it is filled. EEO Statement Sodern America is committed to equal employment opportunity and to maintaining a harassment‑free workplace. We comply with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities and all other employment laws and regulations. We maintain a work environment free of discrimination and retaliation. We may use AI tools to support the hiring process, but they do not replace human judgment. #J-18808-Ljbffr Sodern America