Program Operations Manager

Operations Manager

Karman Space & Defense – Arlington, WA is seeking an experienced, execution-oriented Operations Manager to lead and build the operational infrastructure of a growing precision machining facility. This site specializes in large-format 5-axis CNC machining and complex metallic components in stainless steel, Inconel, nickel alloys, and copper, serving aerospace, defense, and space programs.

This is a greenfield operations role. The facility was acquired by Karman two years ago and is transitioning from a small job shop into a full-scale, AS9100-certified production environment. The right candidate will build systems from the ground up, establish reporting cadences, lead an ERP cutover from ProShop to Epicor Kinetic, and integrate Machine Metrics across the shop floor – all while maintaining daily production output for active contracts.

The Operations Manager reports to the Site Manager. This position carries direct accountability for production output, operating systems, and the machinist workforce, with hiring authority routed through the Site Manager. The Operations Manager is expected to identify and justify headcount additions as the operation scales.

Candidates must be able to hit the ground running. This role requires someone who thrives in ambiguity, builds structure where none exists, and can balance tactical daily execution with strategic operational buildout simultaneously.

Karman Space & Defense provides concept-to-production solutions for mission-critical systems on spacecraft, launch vehicles, missiles, hypersonics, and integrated defense systems. We believe that solving the industry's most complex and mission-critical challenges requires relentless determination and a willingness to push the boundaries of possibility. Karman Space & Defense brings to bear unparalleled production capabilities, unmatched engineering expertise, and unflinching analysis to render the impossible, possible.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Operational Infrastructure Buildout
  • Establish operational processes, procedures, and administrative systems where none currently exist
  • Develop and own planning, quality, contracts, and supply chain systems to support current and future program requirements
  • Identify, justify, and onboard administrative headcount (e.g., operations administrator/planner) as operational complexity grows
  • Maintain daily production execution while simultaneously building the systems infrastructure – these workstreams run in parallel
• ERP Integration – Epicor Kinetic
  • Own the business-side integration of Epicor Kinetic following corporate IT network standup
  • Develop workflows and train staff on ERP usage across planning, job costing, quality, supply chain, and contract management functions
  • Oversee or directly execute data migration from ProShop to Epicor, or lead the hire of a dedicated resource to own migration scope
  • Ensure ERP adoption and compliance across all operational functions once live; serve as the site-level process owner for Epicor
• Metrics, Reporting & Operational Accountability
  • Own operational cost performance reporting; provide daily reports to Site Manager, weekly reports to regional leadership, and monthly reports to corporate
  • Build and maintain operational dashboards tracking safety, quality, on-time delivery, cost performance, and direct labor utilization
  • Report contract status, schedule attainment, and production cost data to Site Manager on established cadences
  • Provide operational input into annual budget planning; manage department spend within approved budget and escalate variances to Site Manager
• Production Operations
  • Manage all production operations for large-format 5-axis CNC machining of stainless steel, Inconel, nickel alloys, and copper components
  • Set and manage production schedules based on program requirements, machine capacity, material availability, and staffing
  • Ensure compliance with AS9100D quality requirements and all applicable OSHA and regulatory standards
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives including lean manufacturing, 6S, preventive maintenance, and root cause/corrective action (RCCA) processes
  • Maintain a safe working environment; lead accident investigations and enforce safety audit compliance
• People Leadership
  • Directly supervise all machinists and production technicians at the Arlington facility; hiring authority routed through Site Manager
  • Manage personnel performance, conduct calibrated performance reviews, and drive succession planning and skills development
  • Develop peer relationship with Engineering Manager; both report to Site Manager and operate with shared accountability for site outcomes
  • Build a merit-based accountability culture; drive decision-making through data and eliminate reliance on tribal knowledge

Education and experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or equivalent combination of education and hands-on experience; Master's degree preferred
• Minimum 5 years of operations or manufacturing management experience in a precision machining environment; prior job shop experience strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience building operational systems and processes in an environment without established administrative infrastructure – greenfield or acquisition integration experience is a significant differentiator
• Hands-on knowledge of large-format 5-axis CNC machining operations and experience working with difficult-to-machine materials (stainless steel, Inconel, nickel alloys, copper)
• ERP implementation or major system transition experience required; Epicor Kinetic proficiency strongly preferred
• Ability to read and act on operational cost data, job costing reports, and direct labor metrics; P&L exposure a plus but not required
• Strong understanding of AS9100 quality systems
• Lean manufacturing / Six Sigma experience with demonstrated shop floor application; ability to implement where no prior lean culture exists
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with machine monitoring platforms (Machine Metrics or equivalent) a plus
• Ability to interpret complex engineering drawings, GD&T, dimensioning, and tolerancing
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and able to comply with ITAR requirements

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, certain positions may require applicants to be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Karman is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis ("protected class") including, but not limited to race; color; religion; genetic information; national origin; sex; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; age; disability; citizenship status; uniform servicemember status; or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law. Our management is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, recruitment advertising, pay, and other forms of compensation, training, and general treatment during employment.