Sr. Director Manufacturing - Space

Summary

This role will serve as the senior leader responsible for all space product manufacturing, with end‑to‑end accountability for transitioning a portfolio of ten space products from engineering development into scalable, high‑reliability production. Reporting to the VP of Manufacturing for Space, Cyber and Directed Energy Segment at AV, this position will play a critical role in enabling productization, accelerating production readiness, and delivering operational excellence across the space manufacturing portfolio.

In addition to strategic leadership, the leader has direct responsibility for tactical execution across manufacturing operations, including material planning, supply chain coordination, and quality performance. The leader will ensure day‑to‑day execution meets cost, schedule, and performance objectives while aligning closely with AV’s Global Operations to adopt and enforce enterprise initiatives, policies, tools, and standardized processes.

• Lead all aspects of space product manufacturing across a portfolio of ~10 products, including production readiness, rate ramp, quality, and delivery performance.
• Own tactical execution across manufacturing operations, including material planning and production scheduling, supply chain coordination, quality execution, compliance, and defect reduction.
• Drive the transition from engineering development to full‑rate production, ensuring design‑for‑manufacturability, producibility, and cost optimization.
• Partner closely with engineering to mature designs and implement robust build‑to‑print, configuration control, and production release processes.
• Ensure full compliance with space manufacturing standards, including IPC J‑STD requirements and applicable space addenda, as well as mission assurance and reliability expectations.
• Establish and scale manufacturing processes that meet high‑reliability, low‑defect, and traceability requirements for space systems.
• Lead cross‑functional coordination across engineering, quality, supply chain, programs, and finance to deliver on cost, schedule, and performance commitments.
• Partner with Global Operations to align with enterprise initiatives, policies, governance, and adopt standard tools and systems such as Oracle Fusion; implement consistent processes, metrics, and reporting across sites; support enterprise‑wide continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives; champion lean manufacturing; build and develop a high‑performing organization across manufacturing, material planning, supply chain, and quality functions; and align manufacturing strategy with broader company direction.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or related technical field, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Minimum 12+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing or operations, with 7‑10 years of direct managerial experience.
• Strong track record in leading multi‑site or complex manufacturing operations in the aerospace, defense, or high‑technology industries.
• Proven experience leading space hardware manufacturing organizations, with responsibility for both strategic leadership and tactical execution.
• Demonstrated success transitioning products from engineering development into production at scale.
• Deep expertise in space manufacturing standards and requirements, including IPC J‑STD and applicable space addenda, as well as quality and mission assurance frameworks.
• Strong understanding of material planning, supply chain operations, and quality systems in high‑reliability environments.
• Experience operating within complex, regulated environments (defense, aerospace, or space).
• Track record of leading cross‑functional teams and influencing across engineering, operations, and program organizations.
• Experience implementing or operating within enterprise ERP/MRP systems (e.g., Oracle Fusion or equivalent).
• Demonstrated ability to drive operational discipline while leading transformation and standardization efforts.
• Collaborative leadership style with ability to work effectively across segment and enterprise…