About Us and Role Alignment
We are an established, long-tenured leader in the aerospace and defense industry, supplying some of the most critical components for modern defense applications. As one of the U.S.’ fastest-growing private companies, we have entered the next phase in our company’s evolution – and we are looking for the right leader with whom to partner in this upcoming, major market impact.
We are actively launching a next-generation production capability — where the grit of the past meets the technology of the future. With production heritage and an existing facility in operation for over 20 years serving the aerospace and defense sector, our new operation will fuse automotive-grade manufacturing excellence with the precision and responsiveness needed to support current and future aerospace and defense missions.
In being selected for this role, you will start by improving our existing production facility, with a focus on upgrading operational effectiveness, expanding capacity, industrial automation and systemizing complex program and part-number execution. From there, you will guide the phased launch of a new, vertically integrated manufacturing facility over a 24-month horizon—combining automation, co-located supply chain integration, and precision processes inspired by world-class automotive systems. Once launched, you will lead our company-wide manufacturing operations, combining legacy facilities with the newly-launched site – and others that are planned to follow.
We are not just improving on an existing facility or launching a new one. We are creating a defense manufacturing ecosystem—responsive, resilient, and ready to deliver the capabilities that stands on the tall shoulders of the past to deliver on the demands of tomorrow’s missions.
Position Summary
We are seeking a Manufacturing Operations Leader to drive two interconnected, sequential priorities:
- Operational excellence and capacity expansion at an existing facility
- Phased launch and long-term ramp-up of a new aerospace/defense manufacturing facility
Reporting to the company’s CEO, this individual will bring deep automotive operations expertise and a precision metalworking background to the defense sector, accelerating innovation throughput while grounding performance in proven manufacturing discipline. You will be responsible for improving functional performance—including cost estimation, supplier negotiation, and multi-program, multi-part number systemization—at our current facility, while strategically planning and tactically executing the launch of a new vertically integrated site over a 24-month phased rollout.
Key Responsibilities: Under a phased approach, aligned with the needs of company’s existing facility and, subsequently, the launch of a new facility:
Existing Facility (Operational Excellence & Expansion)
- Identify and implement efficiency and efficacy improvements across manufacturing operations.
- Lead and mature cost estimation, supplier negotiation, and sourcing capabilities for production and proposals.
- Drive systemization across multiple programs and part numbers, elevating scalability and repeatability.
- Provide tactical leadership and technical guidance in capacity expansion planning and execution.
- Support current proposal efforts by aligning manufacturing capabilities with forward-looking capacity needs.
New Facility (Launch Leadership) – Phased subsequent to the existing facility improvements:
- Lead the full lifecycle launch of a new production site: layout, capital procurement, process implementation, staffing, and ramp-up.
- Develop and install advanced metalforming and precision metalworking processes, expanding beyond current capabilities.
- Build out interconnected manufacturing cells, high-throughput automation, and vertically integrated production streams.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to align business goals, technical needs, and customer requirements.
- Drive adoption of AS9100/ISO 9001 quality systems, Lean, and Six Sigma methodologies.
- Contribute to the phased 24-month launch roadmap, ensuring programmatic alignment, risk mitigation, and early deliverables are met.
Ideal Candidate Profile: Brings and demonstrates the following:
- 15+ years in manufacturing operations leadership, preferably in automotive and/or aerospace/defense sectors.
- Proven experience launching and scaling new manufacturing facilities (greenfield or brownfield).
- Strong background in precision metalworking, metalforming, machining, and high-efficiency process development.
- Keen understanding of process development, especially in precision, metal working, material removal, tight tolerance, supply chain, vendor, and quality management.
- Proven ability to lead automation and high-throughput operations in vertically integrated settings.
- Expertise in cost estimation, supplier engagement, and strategic sourcing.
- Experience implementing or enhancing multi-program, multi-product line operations.
- Extensive quality compliance know-how and experience (ISO 9001, AS9100). Familiarity with DoD production requirements, ITAR compliance a plus.
- Certified or practical expertise in Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma (Black Belt preferred).
- Superior leadership, communication, cross-functional coordination, and problem-solving skills.
- U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder); must reside in the United States.
- Willing and able to relocate to the future facility location once site is selected in either the Midwest region of the United States.
- Prior experience with hub-and-spoke manufacturing networks and co-located supply chains.
- Experience in and willingness to operate in a fast-paced environment in which demanding sector in customer requirements are met with even higher performance
- Experience in proposal development in a business-to-business setting.
- Understanding of vocational program alignment, apprenticeship programs, or regional workforce development.
- Security clearance preferred but not required.
What We Offer
- Opportunity to shape a flagship defense manufacturing site from the ground up.
- A unique opportunity to lead the build and optimization of two interdependent manufacturing sites—one legacy, one future-facing.
- Work on mission-critical programs with national security impact.
- Competitive base salary, compensation incentive plan, healthcare coverage, 401(k) benefits, and a long-term career growth opportunity. If needed, relocation assistance at the time of on-site presence in connection with new facility launch.
- Influence the economic trajectory of an entire region through meaningful job creation and workforce empowerment.
