Program Operations, Maritime (Heavy Metal)

Anduril • Santa Ana, CA

12d • Hybrid

About The Position

Anduril's Maritime Division, a rapidly expanding sector, is seeking a Program Operations lead for its Heavy Metal team. This role is crucial for establishing a world-class execution concept, leveraging a digital-first production system and advanced manufacturing technologies to redefine shipbuilding. The Program Operations lead will act as the operational right hand to the Program Manager, bridging Finance (EVMS), Stakeholder Integration, Supply Chain, Workforce Development, and Facilities. This hybrid role requires a blend of program-facing discipline (cost, schedule, EVMS) and division-level operational strategy, ensuring the program scales effectively without compromising efficiency. The ideal candidate will be comfortable in both manufacturing environments and executive reviews.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in a combination of program operations, consulting, corporate strategy, finance, defense/aerospace program management, or general business analysis.
• Proven ability to solve complex, ambiguous, cross-functional problems in a people-centric manner, balancing program management and general business operations perspectives.
• High ownership, low ego, strong outcome orientation, high humility, and comfort with detailed operational work.
• Ability to translate operational problems into data problems and execute solutions.
• Tactical and strategic capabilities, with a willingness to engage in detailed work across various functions.
• Discerning and fast learner, capable of fluently operating across finance, supply chain, workforce, and construction.
• Willing and able to be based in Washington, D.C. with regular travel to Costa Mesa, CA and other Anduril sites.
• Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.

Nice To Haves

• Typically 5+ years of experience and a Bachelor's degree or equivalent education/work experience.
• Solid, hands-on expertise with the ability to operate independently across a wide range of responsibilities.
• Exposure to Earned Value Management (EVMS) as a practitioner, auditor, or decision-maker.
• Prior experience in shipbuilding, heavy manufacturing, aerospace, or large defense programs, particularly with the U.S. Navy or a prime shipbuilder.
• Experience establishing an operating cadence for a fast-growing team or program (battle rhythms, review structures, planning cycles, tracking systems).
• Comfort working across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, finance, and workforce functions simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the operational backbone for the product Program Manager, coordinating across core AoRs (Stakeholder Integration, Supply Chain, Workforce Development, Facilities) to ensure program scalability and deliverable achievement.
• Support Stakeholder Integration with external entities (customers, prime partners, government & community stakeholders) and internal teams (Manufacturing Technology, Digital teams), including preparing briefing materials, tracking commitments, and resolving cross-program issues.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain to translate procurement and vendor performance data into program-level risk assessments, identifying long-lead exposure, sole-source concentrations, and supplier ramp risks.
• Partner with Workforce Development to develop and track hiring, training, and skillset scaling plans for a rapidly growing program, integrating the workforce plan into a program-tracking system.
• Support Facilities as a program dependency, integrating facility milestones, capital deployment, and production readiness with the product build plan.
• Lead strategic initiatives and special projects for the Program Manager and Heavy Metal leadership, including operating-model design, executive review preparation, and diligence on production, real estate, security, and growth opportunities.
• Support the corporate planning cycle for the program, assisting in building and monitoring performance against goals, financial plans, and headcount plans.
• Onboard new team members and help establish the internal operating cadence (all-hands, business reviews, division-wide events) to ensure rapid team ramp-up and cultural integration.

Benefits

• Highly competitive equity grants
• Top-tier benefits for full-time employees
• Comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) that supports health, recovery, and future needs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree