Head of Project Management and Operations

Position Summary
The Operations Project Manager is responsible for leading cross-functional projects that support the manufacturing, integration, and delivery of mission-critical computer systems for aerospace and defense customers. This role serves as the primary coordinator between engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, contracts, and customer stakeholders to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in compliance with customer, regulatory, and defense industry requirements.
The ideal candidate possesses strong project management expertise, manufacturing operations experience, and a deep understanding of complex hardware production environments, including highly regulated aerospace and defense programs.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Lead operational and manufacturing projects from planning through execution.
Develop detailed project schedules, milestones, resource plans, and risk mitigation strategies.
Coordinate cross-functional teams to achieve project objectives and customer commitments.
Lead effective meetings to ensure clarity of purpose, clear expectations of team members, and follow up of existing expectations
Assist with the prioritization of team efforts to ensure the best use of resources
Identify project risks, constraints, and dependencies and coordinate implementation of corrective actions as needed.
Manage project scope changes while maintaining program objectives and customer requirements.
Support lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence initiatives.
Serve as the operational point of contact for assigned programs.
Facilitate communication among internal teams and external stakeholders.
Prepare and deliver project reviews, risk assessments, and executive-level presentations.
Collaborate with supply chain teams to ensure material availability for project schedules.
Maintain accurate project documentation and records.
Ensure projects comply with AS9100, ISO 9001, ITAR, EAR, DFARS, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
Support customer audits, internal audits, and compliance reviews.
Requirements
Required
Lead operational and manufacturing projects from planning through execution.
Develop detailed project schedules, milestones, resource plans, and risk mitigation strategies.
Coordinate cross-functional teams to achieve project objectives and customer commitments.
Lead effective meetings to ensure clarity of purpose, clear expectations of team members, and follow up of existing expectations
Assist with the prioritization of team efforts to ensure the best use of resources
Identify project risks, constraints, and dependencies and coordinate implementation of corrective actions as needed.
Manage project scope changes while maintaining program objectives and customer requirements.
Support lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence initiatives.
Serve as the operational point of contact for assigned programs.
Facilitate communication among internal teams and external stakeholders.
Prepare and deliver project reviews, risk assessments, and executive-level presentations.
Collaborate with supply chain teams to ensure material availability for project schedules.
Maintain accurate project documentation and records.
Ensure projects comply with AS9100, ISO 9001, ITAR, EAR, DFARS, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
Support customer audits, internal audits, and compliance reviews.
Desired
Project Management training or certification
Familiarity with regulatory or military standards (e.g., MIL-STD, AS9100)
Six Sigma or Lean certification
Knowledge of IPC-A-610, IPC-A-620 and J Standard
Experience with CAD or ECAD tools