xLab Manufacturing Operations Director
About The Position
The Aerospace Corporation's Experiment Lab (xLab) is seeking a Department Director to lead and provide oversight to its new xLab Operations Support Department. This role is responsible for the day-to-day management of approximately 10-15 technical support staff across El Segundo, CA, and Chantilly, VA campuses. The department supports modern labs including PCB assembly areas, electronics testing, mechanical assembly & test, and environmental test facilities. The xLab Technical Support Service Manager, responsible for the Fabrication Services machine shop team, will report directly to this position. The Director will be tasked with evolving the department and its services to support xLab’s growing prototype portfolio and centralizing xLab’s Integration & Test functions. This is a full-time, 100% on-site position based in El Segundo, CA.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field or equivalent
- Substantial experience in a managerial role with proven ability to establish and maintain effective team relationships with contractors, customers, and corporate staff with a focus on engineering and industrial management
- Demonstrated success in developing staff, impacting effective operations, and management of research labs
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to influence a technical organization at all staffing levels
- Strong leadership skills to include personnel management experience, communication skills, and a passion for rapid prototyping
- Willing to travel domestically up to 10%
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret level security clearance
- U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
Nice To Haves
- Experience and/or degree in Industrial Engineering, Engineering Management, Business Management, particularly in the defense industry
- 10 years of demonstrated experience developing and managing in a “first article” prototype lab environment, new product introduction (NPI)
- Experience with lean manufacturing in an R&D setting
- Working knowledge of workmanship standards (e.g., IPC, J-Standards, PCB manufacture, harness manufacture, ESD)
- Proficiency in Jira and Confluence
- Working knowledge of CAE tools used for layout design, e.g., PADS or PADS Xpedition, OrCAD, Altium
Responsibilities
- Provide leadership, planning, and direction for xLab’s technical support and operations staff (8-12 fabrication, assembly, test and layout designers)
- Work with other xLab leaders for strategic planning and tactical execution of the prototyping portfolio; recommend areas of improvement for more effective and efficient technical and business operations
- Identify and develop strategic partnerships to enable surge capabilities during high volume periods
- Assign and prioritize resources, determine staffing needs, and coordinate activities and operations working in conjunction with other xLab leaders
- Conduct staff performance reviews, establish departmental and personnel goals, and recommend performance improvement, career development, salary and promotion actions
- Responsible for production control and associated procurements, budget planning, equipment/supply management
- Maintain and support an effective safety and housekeeping best-practice culture for multiple engineering & test laboratories
- Manage lab equipment, including procurement of new equipment and coordinating metrology needs for existing lab test equipment
- Manage inventory and storage for lab supplies, parts and project needs
- Communicate and coordinate activities to counterpart departments, management, and customers
Benefits
- Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
- Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
- Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
- 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
- Flexible spending accounts
- Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
- Relocation assistance
- Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
- Education assistance programs
- An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
