Deputy Operations Manager - Journeyman

Saalex•Ridgecrest, CA

15h•$90,000 - $105,000•Onsite

About The Position

Saalex Corporation is seeking a journeyman-level Deputy Operations Manager in Ridgecrest, California. Saalex provides engineering and information technology services, including test range operations and management, engineering and logistics, data analytics and business intelligence, and information technology services. This is a full-time, fully onsite position with an annual salary of $90,000–$105,000, depending on experience. The Deputy Operations Manager supports the Operations Manager in the daily leadership, coordination, and administration of Tactical Air Range Integration Facility (TARIF) activities supporting Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) training capabilities. The position independently performs assigned duties within established priorities and delegated authority, coordinates personnel and resources, tracks execution, resolves routine issues, and keeps the Operations Manager informed of progress, risks, and decisions requiring leadership involvement. This is a hands-on leadership role involving personnel leadership, meeting facilitation, communication with government customers, and practical support alongside the team. Strong note-taking, direct communication, initiative, and a mission- and people-first approach are essential. The Deputy may perform designated Operations Manager duties during absences or as assigned.

Requirements

Demonstrated ability to independently perform assigned functional duties and support daily operations without continuous direction.
Experience leading personnel or coordinating team activities with clear expectations and dependable follow-through.
Ability to communicate across project management, contracts, cybersecurity, engineering, systems administration, and logistics functions.
Working understanding of how these functions affect product delivery, operational readiness, and lifecycle sustainment.
Confidence leading meetings and communicating with government representatives and personnel at all organizational levels.
Strong note-taking, organizational, writing, and problem-solving skills.
Experience developing or improving processes and procedures.
Familiarity with AI tools and their responsible application to workplace activities.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience with action trackers, ticketing systems, or similar workflow tools.
Willingness and ability to perform essential physical duties, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Willingness to obtain and maintain required forklift and material-handling qualifications.
Ability to meet applicable contract security clearance, training, and installation access requirements.
Active Secret or Interim Secret clearance required.
Must meet clearance requirements, including U.S. citizenship and a security investigation.
Experience requirement may be met with 5–10 years of relevant experience and an applicable basic certification; 3–5 years of relevant experience and a BA/BS degree; or an MA/MS degree with less than 3 years of relevant experience.

Nice To Haves

Military veteran background with extensive experience building, leading, and developing teams.
Experience supporting LVC training capabilities, Navy range operations, or comparable defense programs.
Experience coordinating activities across the product lifecycle, including fielding, operations, maintenance, and sustainment.
Familiarity with Navy ERP, JDRS, Jira, government property accountability, and equipment shipping requirements.
Experience supporting procurement coordination, depot repairs, and configuration management.

Responsibilities

Support the Operations Manager with daily planning, workload coordination, contract execution, and operational follow-through.
Independently manage assigned activities, coordinate task-level priorities, and complete work with limited supervision.
Coordinate approved tasking through established team leads and supervisory channels, ensuring ownership, deadlines, and expectations are clear.
Monitor schedules, deliverables, dependencies, and resource availability; identify obstacles and coordinate practical solutions.
Resolve routine issues within delegated authority and elevate matters affecting safety, security, personnel, contract scope, cost, or schedule.
Work across project management, contracts, cybersecurity, cybersecurity engineering, systems engineering, systems administration, logistics, and technical support.
Communicate with end users, technical specialists, government customers, vendors, and leadership throughout the product lifecycle.
Translate technical and operational discussions into clear information, documented decisions, and actionable next steps.
Lead meetings, brief operational status, and represent the Operations Manager on designated technical and program or project matters.
Take accurate notes, document decisions, action owners, and deadlines, and follow actions through closure.
Develop, document, implement, and improve processes, procedures, checklists, and training materials with responsible personnel.
Use approved AI tools for documentation, analysis, process improvement, and administrative efficiency while protecting government and company information.
Support equipment refreshes, installations, fielding, inventories, repair coordination, configuration management, and shipment preparation.
Perform hands-on work as needed, including moving equipment, organizing products and materials, and supporting receiving and shipping.
Operate forklifts and other material-handling equipment after completing required training and authorization.
Identify maintenance, training, documentation, resource, and obsolescence concerns affecting long-term product sustainment.
Support onboarding, cross-training, staffing coverage, operational reporting, and continuity documentation.
Perform designated Operations Manager duties during absences or as assigned.
Lead by example and balance mission execution with employee safety and well-being.
Build trust, strengthen teamwork, mentor personnel, and address conflict directly and professionally.
Communicate clear expectations and hold yourself and others accountable consistently and respectfully.
Identify unsafe conditions, unclear direction, resource shortfalls, and unrealistic commitments.
Exercise initiative, make sound decisions within assigned authority, and recognize when leadership involvement is needed.
Remain approachable, receptive to feedback, and willing to support the team where needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.