xLab Manufacturing Operations Director

The Aerospace Corporation • El Segundo, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation's Experiment Lab, xLab, develops prototypes, instruments, pathfinders, and demonstration systems that target our customers’ hardest problems at a time of increasing strategic importance. We engage with our customers to conceptualize and deliver innovative and impactful solutions (products) for ground and space and everything in between. xLab’s multi-disciplinary engineers and technical staff have a passion for design, a commitment to teamwork and a desire to help Aerospace make a difference to today’s challenges. We are looking for a Department Director to lead and provide oversight to our new xLab Operations Support Department. You will be responsible for the day-to-day management of ~ 10-15 technical support staff at our El Segundo, CA and Chantilly, VA campuses, and for our modern labs which include PCB assembly areas, electronics testing, mechanical assembly & test, and environmental test facilities. xLab’s Technical Support Service Manager who is responsible for our Fabrication Services machine shop team will be a direct report to you. You will be responsible for 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%
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret level security clearance, which is issued by the US government.
• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager