Director of Operations, Manufacturing

Job Description

Job Description

Director of Operations - North America Rail Manufacturing

Location: Sacramento, CA (Relocation Available - National Search)

Lead one of the most advanced rail manufacturing operations in North America.

At Siemens Mobility, we are not just building trains—we are shaping the future of transportation. From the first mile to the last, our technologies power more sustainable, connected, and reliable mobility solutions across North America.

Nowhere is that more visible than at our Sacramento facility—a flagship manufacturing hub employing 2,000+ people, where innovation, scale, and operational excellence come together to deliver the next generation of passenger locomotives, coaches, and light rail vehicles.

This is your opportunity to step into a defining leadership role—one that sits at the heart of our operations and directly influences how we scale, optimize, and transform manufacturing for the future.

The Role: Ownership at Scale

This is not a functional leadership role—it’s full operational ownership.

As Director of Operations, you will partner directly with the Vice President of Operations to lead a significant portion of our manufacturing organization—driving output, efficiency, cost performance, and continuous improvement across a complex, multi-line production environment.

You will lead large, diverse teams, own critical production metrics, and play a key role in advancing lean manufacturing principles, digital transformation, and operational scalability at one of Siemens Mobility’s most important North American sites.

Why This Role Matters Now

• Flagship site impact: Lead operations at a core North American manufacturing hub central to Siemens Mobility’s growth

• Scale & complexity: Operate within a high-volume, full-lifecycle production environment supporting multiple rolling stock programs

• Transformation journey: Accelerate the integration of automation, digitalization, and smart factory capabilities

* Market tailwinds: Play a leadership role in a business positioned for long-term growth driven by rail investment, infrastructure modernization, and sustainability initiatives across the U.S.

What You’ll Own

Operational leadership at scale

Oversee day-to-day manufacturing operations across assigned areas—ensuring performance, safety, quality, and delivery targets are achieved

Cost, production, and efficiency accountability

Drive cost optimization, productivity improvements, and resource utilization across labor, materials, and equipment

Large team leadership

Lead, develop, and scale a high-performing organization—building leadership capability and strengthening engagement across front-line and management teams

Lean manufacturing & continuous improvement

Champion lean principles, operational discipline, and structured problem-solving to drive measurable improvements in throughput and efficiency

Digital manufacturing & innovation

Identify and implement opportunities to integrate automation, digitization, and advanced technologies across production processes

Cross-functional execution

Partner with engineering, supply chain, quality, and logistics to ensure smooth execution of production programs and operational strategies

Strategic alignment & planning

Translate business strategy into executable operational plans—aligning workforce planning, capacity, and investments with long-term growth

Performance visibility

Deliver clear, data-driven reporting on key operational metrics to senior leadership, driving accountability and informed decision-making

What You Bring

You are a proven manufacturing leader who thrives in large-scale, complex environments and is energized by both operational execution and transformation.

Required:

* 15+ years of experience in rail manufacturing

• 10+ years in progressive leadership roles, managing large teams and/or multi-layered organizations

• Demonstrated success leading high-volume production environments with cost, output, and quality accountability

• Strong experience in lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or operational excellence frameworks

• Ability to lead in complex, matrixed organizations with multiple stakeholders

• Bachelor’s degree (engineering, operations, business, or related field)

  What sets you apart:

• Experience driving digital or smart factory initiatives

• Background in transportation, heavy manufacturing, or capital-intensive industries

• Proven ability to scale operations during periods of rapid growth or transformation

• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence at all levels

What We Offer

• Competitive executive-level compensation (aligned to experience and scope)

• Annual incentive program

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits starting Day 1

• 401(k) with company match

• Tuition reimbursement and leadership development programs

• Relocation support for top candidates (national search)

• The opportunity to lead within a globally recognized, innovation-driven organization

You should be proficient in:

• Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
• Continuous Improvement
• Lean Manufacturing Principles