🚀 Head of Business Operations
📍 Los Angeles County, CA
💼 Full-time | On-site
Company Overview
My client is a cutting-edge hardware startup at the intersection of advanced manufacturing and defense tech, seeking a Business Operations leader to support their rapidly growing team.
This is a high-impact role for someone who thrives in dynamic, early-stage environments and knows how to design systems that keep a company moving fast while also building long-term durability.
Responsibilities
- Design and improve operational systems, processes, and policies to support rapid scaling.
- Partner with executives on strategic planning, budgeting, and company-wide decision-making.
- Lead cross-functional initiatives requiring alignment across technical and commercial teams.
- Oversee compliance programs and regulatory obligations in highly regulated environments.
- Develop vendor strategies, negotiate long-term contracts, and manage procurement workflows.
- Manage facilities operations, leases, and workspace planning to support team growth.
- Build dashboards and reporting tools that provide leadership with real-time visibility into KPIs and resource allocation.
- Support proposal preparation, milestone tracking, and external reporting for complex programs.
- Introduce new tools and workflows to improve day-to-day team productivity and knowledge sharing.
- Collaborate with People/HR teams on processes that impact culture, employee experience, and retention.
Qualifications
Required:
- 7-10+ years leading business operations or strategy in aerospace, defense, or other complex hardware/deep-tech startup environments (excluding pure SaaS).
- Deep experience designing scalable systems, processes, and tools for rapid headcount growth (from early-stage through 300+ employees).
- Experience running planning cycles, goal-setting frameworks (OKRs or similar), or performance tracking.
- Ability to design and maintain dashboards that turn KPIs into clear, data-driven recommendations for leadership.
- Strong understanding of compliance, risk management, and regulatory requirements in technical industries.
- Experienced in vendor management, supply chain strategy, and contract negotiations.
- Systems-thinking mindset with strong execution skills; high-energy, results-driven in fast-changing, ambiguous startup environments.
- Motivated by the challenge and impact of working in mission-driven, regulated environments.
Desired:
- Strong exposure to government programs and contracts in highly regulated industries (e.g. export controls, ITAR).
- Experience contributing to proposals, bids, or capture efforts for government programs.
🌟 If you’re craving real ownership in a fast-paced startup environment, apply now! 🌟
*ITAR: Must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a US person as: any individual who is granted U.S. citizenship; or any individual who is granted U.S. permanent residence ("Green Card" holder); or any individual who is granted status as a "protected person" under 8 U.S.C 1324b(a)(3).
