Director of Operations

Voyager is an innovative space, defense, and national security technology company committed to advancing transformative, mission‑critical solutions. We tackle the most complex challenges to unlock new frontiers for human progress, fortify national security, and protect critical assets. About the Role The Director of Operations is responsible for leading all Assembly, Integration, and Test operations within a high‑volume aerospace production environment. The leader will provide strategic and operational leadership across cross‑functional production teams, driving enterprise‑level performance in safety, quality, delivery, and cost. This role is responsible for scaling production capabilities, leading high‑rate manufacturing initiatives, and ensuring the consistent delivery of aerospace‑grade hardware that meets stringent regulatory and customer requirements. Key Responsibilities Provide strategic leadership for daily production operations to achieve schedule, cost, quality, and safety objectives. Own end‑to‑end execution of production systems including build plans, travelers, routers, and integrated master schedules. Lead high‑production‑rate readiness and large‑scale production ramp initiatives. Proactively identify, mitigate, and elevate risks impacting delivery, quality, or safety. Oversee workforce strategy including labor planning, staffing, training, and multi‑shift operations. Ensure full compliance with AS9100, DoD, and customer‑specific requirements across all operations. Direct system‑level assembly, integration, functional test, and final acceptance activities. Establish robust problem‑solving frameworks for production and test anomalies, including root‑cause and corrective action processes. Partner with Engineering leadership to drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and producibility improvements. Champion Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and enterprise continuous improvement initiatives. Drive measurable improvements in yield, cost efficiency, rework reduction, and cycle‑time optimization. Own and monitor operational KPIs, ensuring data‑driven decision making and accountability. Collaborate cross‑functionally with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Program Management, and Test Engineering leadership. Lead customer engagement efforts including audits, program reviews, and regulatory inspections. Serve as a senior leader in production readiness reviews, gate reviews, and executive‑level program reviews. Build, develop, and lead a high‑performing operations organization, including managers, supervisors, and technical staff. Foster a culture of safety, accountability, quality, and continuous improvement across all levels. Lead performance management, organizational development, and succession planning initiatives. Basic Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or a related field. 10‑15+ years of progressive leadership experience in aerospace manufacturing or production environments. 7+ years of experience leading managers and large, multi‑disciplinary teams. Deep expertise in complex assembly and system integration; environmental, functional, and acceptance testing; aerospace quality management systems (AS9100); and Lean manufacturing and operational excellence. Proven track record of leading operations in a highly regulated, safety‑critical environment. Preferred Qualifications Direct experience with rocket engines, in‑space propulsion, or missile propulsion systems. Experience scaling propulsion production from development/NPI into full‑rate manufacturing. Background in test‑heavy environments (hot‑fire test stands, cryogenic systems, high‑pressure systems). Experience leading operations in high‑rate or rate‑driven aerospace manufacturing environments. Lean Six Sigma certification (Black Belt or equivalent preferred). Demonstrated success in new product introduction (NPI), scaling production, and rate transitions. Skills & Competencies Executive‑level leadership and communication skills. Strong strategic thinking and operational execution capability. Data‑driven decision‑making with financial and operational acumen. Ability to lead in fast‑paced, high‑accountability environments. Deep technical understanding paired with hands‑on problem‑solving ability. Proven ability to balance production rate, safety, and quality without compromise. Strong organizational leadership with a focus on talent development and culture. Compensation & Benefits The good faith base salary range for this role is $160,000 - $210,000 at the time of this posting. Where you fall within this range depends on your experience, skills, and location. This range reflects base salary only and does not include benefits or bonus/incentives. Benefits include: Flexible Time Off (FTO) to maintain a healthy work‑life balance. Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families, with a significant portion of premiums covered by the company. Flexible, affordable gym memberships with a wide network of options and free on‑demand workout videos. 401(k) retirement plan with a company match of 50% up to 8%. Company wellness programs supporting physical and mental well‑being. Additional voluntary benefits and employee support resources. Opportunities to work alongside highly talented teams in an innovative, mission‑driven environment. Export Compliance To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, including ITAR and EAR, applicants for this position must be a U.S. Person: a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3). Applicants must be eligible to obtain any required export authorizations from the Departments of State and Commerce. EEO Statement Voyager is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. Statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general content and requirements for performance of this job. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work within the framework of this job description at any time without prior notice. #J-18808-Ljbffr Voyagertechnologiesinc