PROJECT DIRECTOR

LISI•Torrance, CA

1d•$175,000 - $200,000•Onsite

About The Position

LISI AEROSPACE is executing a major North America manufacturing expansion and industrialization initiative to support long-term growth in precision aerospace components. The Project Director will lead the end-to-end execution of a complex, capital-intensive program, including deployment of new production capabilities, coordination of multi-site operations, and ramp to stable, scalable output. This role carries full ownership of execution, timeline, capital investment, operational readiness, and cross-functional alignment, with direct visibility to senior leadership and key customers. This is a high-impact leadership role with a clear path to broader operational responsibility.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in aerospace, industrial, automotive, or precision manufacturing environments
Proven track record leading: Large-scale manufacturing expansion or industrialization initiatives, CapEx-intensive programs ($10M+), Complex operational ramp activities
Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, plant start-up, industrialization, and production systems
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in high-pressure, fast-paced environments

Nice To Haves

Experience in highly regulated manufacturing environments
Exposure to customer qualification and operational approval processes
Experience coordinating multi-site manufacturing operations or production transitions
Familiarity with advanced manufacturing and operational excellence methodologies

Responsibilities

Lead full lifecycle execution of a large-scale manufacturing expansion and industrialization initiative
Own delivery against key milestones including: Capacity deployment, Production readiness, Operational ramp
Develop and manage integrated master schedules, critical path activities, and execution cadence
Drive disciplined milestone management and escalation processes
Lead implementation of new manufacturing capabilities across operations
Oversee: Equipment specification, sourcing, and installation; Process industrialization and operational readiness; Facility and infrastructure requirements
Ensure scalability, manufacturability, and long-term operational efficiency
Lead phased production ramp activities to support customer demand
Coordinate transition and alignment across multiple manufacturing locations
Ensure continuity of supply and operational stability during production transfers and ramp-up activities
Establish execution plans to achieve throughput, delivery, and quality targets
Partner with internal and external stakeholders to align: Production timelines, Qualification and readiness plans, Capacity and delivery expectations
Support execution of strategic customer programs and operational initiatives
Maintain strong communication and alignment across leadership, operations, engineering, and commercial teams
Own capital investment planning and execution
Track performance against: Budget, Timeline, Forecasted milestones
Implement disciplined forecasting, cost control, and reporting processes
Support business case validation and investment reviews
Lead readiness activities for: Industry certifications, Customer approvals, Operational qualification requirements
Ensure quality systems and operational processes are aligned with ramp and production requirements
Partner with quality and engineering teams to drive process validation and risk mitigation
Build and lead a high-performing cross-functional team including: Engineering, Quality, Supply chain / procurement, Operations, Program support resources
Establish strong accountability, execution discipline, and performance management processes
Develop organizational capability to support long-term operational growth
Identify and mitigate key risks related to: Labor availability, Equipment lead times, Ramp execution, Production stability, Qualification timing
Drive proactive problem-solving and escalation management
Maintain clear visibility to critical issues and recovery plans
Provide structured, data-driven updates to executive leadership
Lead milestone reviews, execution meetings, and governance forums
Ensure alignment across cross-functional and global stakeholders