Director of Operations

Voyager is an innovative space, defense, and national security technology company committed to delivering transformative, mission‑critical solutions. We tackle the most complex challenges to unlock new frontiers for human progress, fortify national security, and protect critical assets while leading in the race for technological and operational superiority.

The Director of Operations is responsible for leading all Assembly, Integration, and Test operations within a high‑volume aerospace production environment. This role ensures that complex electromechanical systems are assembled, integrated, and tested safely, efficiently, and in strict compliance with quality, regulatory, and customer requirements.

The Director of Operations provides strategic and operational leadership across cross‑functional production teams, driving enterprise‑level performance in safety, quality, delivery, and cost. The role is responsible for scaling production capabilities, leading high‑rate manufacturing initiatives, and ensuring consistent delivery of aerospace‑grade hardware that meets stringent regulatory and customer requirements.

This leader plays a critical role in achieving aggressive production rate targets while maintaining the highest standards of quality, reliability, and operational excellence.

• Provide strategic leadership for daily production operations to achieve schedule, cost, quality, and safety objectives
• Own end‑to‑end execution of production systems including build plans, travelers, routers, and integrated master schedules
• Lead high production rate (HPR) readiness and large‑scale production ramp initiatives
• Proactively identify, mitigate, and escalate risks impacting delivery, quality, or safety
• Oversee workforce strategy including labor planning, staffing, training, and multi‑shift operations
• Ensure full compliance with AS9100, DoD, and customer‑specific requirements across all operations
• Direct system‑level assembly, integration, functional test, and final acceptance activities
• Establish robust problem‑solving frameworks for production and test anomalies, including root cause and corrective action processes
• Partner with Engineering leadership to drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and producibility improvements
• Champion Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and enterprise continuous improvement initiatives
• Drive measurable improvements in yield, cost efficiency, rework reduction, and cycle time optimization
• Own and monitor operational KPIs, ensuring data‑driven decision making and accountability
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Program Management, and Test Engineering leadership
• Lead customer engagement efforts including audits, program reviews, and regulatory inspections
• Serve as a senior leader in production readiness reviews (PRRs), gate reviews, and executive‑level program reviews
• Build, develop, and lead a high‑performing operations organization, including managers, supervisors, and technical staff
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, quality, and continuous improvement across all levels
• Lead performance management, organizational development, and succession planning initiatives

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or related field
• 10–15+ years of progressive leadership experience in aerospace manufacturing or production environments
• 7+ years of experience leading managers and large, multi‑disciplinary teams
• Deep expertise in complex assembly and system integration, environmental, functional, and acceptance testing, aerospace quality management systems (AS9100), lean manufacturing and operational excellence
• Proven track record of leading operations in a highly regulated, safety‑critical environment

• Direct experience with rocket engines, in‑space propulsion, or missile propulsion systems
• Experience scaling propulsion production from development/NPI into full‑rate manufacturing
• Background in test‑heavy environments (hot‑fire test stands, cryogenic systems, high‑pressure systems)
• Experience leading operations in high‑rate or rate‑driven aerospace manufacturing…