Director of Operations and Manufacturing Strategy at Karman Space & Defense

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

This enterprise-wide role strengthens Karman’s manufacturing strategy, operational systems, and production performance across all sites and business units. It converts company and program demand into executable operating strategies covering capacity, factory readiness, labor, capital, technology, and continuous improvement. The director partners across operations, engineering, supply chain, quality, finance, and program teams to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and scalability while enabling repeatable systems that enhance how mission-critical hardware is produced across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Develops and leads enterprise manufacturing and operations strategy aligned with business-unit demand, program requirements, customer commitments, and long-range objectives.
• Leads Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (SIOP), capacity planning, rate-readiness, and scenario planning to align demand with labor, equipment, facilities, and supply needs.
• Establishes an operating system with standardized Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), tiered accountability, production reviews, and executive performance reporting.
• Drives cross-site improvements in safety, quality, delivery, cost, labor productivity, cycle time, Work in Process (WIP), and schedule adherence.
• Develops enterprise factory-footprint, make‑buy, automation, technology, and capital‑investment strategies in partnership with business units and functional teams.
• Leads manufacturing readiness and industrialization reviews for new products, production transfers, rate increases, and major program transitions.
• Partners with site leaders to identify constraints, recover underperforming value streams, and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Standardizes Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, problem‑solving, production‑control, and operating‑system practices across manufacturing sites.
• Builds multi‑year operational roadmaps and business cases, tracks benefits realization, and communicates risks, tradeoffs, and decisions to senior leadership.
• Develops organizational capability through succession planning, leadership development, and deployment of repeatable manufacturing playbooks.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations management, supply chain, business, or a related field.
• 12+ years of progressive manufacturing or operations experience, including 7+ years leading managers and/or multi‑functional teams.
• Experience leading manufacturing strategy, production operations, industrialization, or operational excellence in aerospace, defense, or another highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience with capacity planning, production systems, capital planning, labor planning, and performance management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex cross‑functional initiatives and translate business objectives into measurable operating plans.
• Working knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Material Requirements Planning (MRP), production planning, and manufacturing performance systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Business Administration (MBA), master’s degree in engineering, or a related advanced degree.
• Experience leading operations across multiple sites, value streams, or business units.
• Experience with AS9100 Quality Management System (QMS), defense contracting, and low‑rate to full‑rate production transitions.
• Lean Six Sigma certification or demonstrated leadership of enterprise Lean transformations.
• Experience developing manufacturing automation, digital factory, or Industry 4.0 strategies.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly works in office and manufacturing environments and walks production areas to assess operations and engage teams.
• Occasionally accesses production areas requiring use of stairs, platforms, or personal protective equipment.

The essential functions of this position must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Special Mentions

• Frequent (25–50%) travel may be required to support Karman sites, customers, suppliers, and program reviews.
• Periodic availability outside normal business hours may be required to support critical production or program needs.

This position requires U.S. person status under U.S. export control laws, including U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company‑paid life and AD\&D insurance
• Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage
• Tuition reimbursement

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.