Director Production and Quality

Sodern America•Englewood, CO

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director Production and Quality is responsible for leading Sodern America’s production and quality operations to manufacture Star Trackers and Cameras in the U.S. ensuring safe, efficient and cost-effective operations that meet customer expectations and business objectives. This role oversees production planning, manufacturing execution, systems integration and testing, quality assurance, continuous improvement initiatives, workforce development and operational performance. The Director provides strategic leadership of local production and quality resources while closely coordinating with Sodern France production leadership to ensure alignment on operational throughput, product quality, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement efforts. This position will require some travel to France for training and coordination with the Sodern France team. The Director Production and Quality will be instrumental in the hiring of local production and quality resources to include operators, quality engineers and logistics / supply chain resources.

Requirements

Deep understanding of manufacturing operations and quality systems involving complex systems production in an industrial context is required.
Knowledge of relevant technical fields (mechanics, optics, electronics) and quality requirements for space, aeronautical, or similar products is required
Understanding of continuous improvement methodologies and proven track record driving operational improvements and quality performance is required.
Understanding of safety and compliance regulation and demonstrated application in a manufacturing environment is required.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Industrial Technology or related field required.
8+ years of manufacturing production and quality leadership experience required

Nice To Haves

specific knowledge of star tracker system architecture and optronics is an advantage.
Background in engineering preferred
knowledge of AOCS engineering in the space industry is an advantage.
French language competency is an advantage.
space industry experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Direct and oversee all local manufacturing production activities to achieve cost, quality and schedule objectives
Lead production and quality team members to support daily manufacturing operations
Ensure effective production scheduling and resource allocation to meet customer demand and inventory levels
Monitor and report on production KPIs and make necessary adjustments to staffing and/or process
Problem solve and provide support to the production team when issues or obstacles arise
Collaborate with Sodern France, other departments and partners to optimize the manufacturing process
Manage allocated production budgets (investment, training, expenses, etc.)
Ensure the availability of materials and facility needs for smooth operations
Provide leadership and oversight of production quality control
Establish and maintain certification requirements (AS9100 etc.)
Establish, implement and report on service quality indicators
Provide oversight and support for root cause analysis and corrective action for quality issues such as defective parts
Establish and maintain quality systems, procedures, audits and compliance programs
Promote a culture of accountability and continuous quality improvement
Adopt operational excellence methodologies to enhance problem-solving
Propose and implement internal organizational improvements that reduce waste and improve yield and productivity
Leverage metrics and data analytics to drive informed operational decisions
Create a dynamic team environment by building, mentoring and developing high performing production and quality teams
Handle production and quality recruitment in coordination with HR
Establish clear performance expectations and accountability
Foster a collaborative, safety-focused, and results-driven culture
Ensure compliance with company policy and with all safety, environmental and regulatory requirements (OSHEA, etc.)
Participate in incident investigations and corrective action implementations