Director, Assembly & Test Operations

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Beehive Industries is dedicated to Powering American Defense by revolutionizing the design, development, and delivery of jet propulsion systems to support the warfighter. Through the integration of additive manufacturing, the company aims to meet the growing and urgent needs for unmanned aerial defense by dramatically improving a jet engine’s speed to market, fuel efficiency, and cost.
Founded in 2020, the company is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, with additional facilities in Knoxville, Tennessee, Loveland Ohio, and Mount Vernon, Ohio. Beehive is committed to grow and advance the defense industrial base while manufacturing exclusively in the USA. This role will be located at our Englewood, Colorado facility.

We are seeking a strategic leader for the role of Director, Assembly & Test Operations to build the robust processes and infrastructure needed to guide this critical phase. This is a crucial role responsible for overseeing the assembly and testing of both our current development engines and our future production units. The ideal candidate will have a deep technical understanding of gas turbine engines and a proven track record of building and scaling manufacturing operations.

You will be responsible for taking components from our manufacturing partners and internal teams and transforming them into fully integrated, tested, and ready-to-deploy engines. This role’s primary responsibility will be to lead the seamless transition from our current development production to a robust, high-rate production environment, establishing the capabilities and infrastructure needed for long-term success.

• Strategic Leadership & Scaling
  • Own both the strategic planning and execution for transitioning from low-rate development to high-rate production AND the new product development assembly and test functions
  • Build and implement the operational capabilities and infrastructure necessary to support full-scale manufacturing, specifically for final assembly and test
  • Develop and refine assembly and test processes to optimize for efficiency, quality, and scalability
• Operational Management
  • Direct all final assembly and engine test activities for both development and production units, ensuring adherence to engineering specifications and production schedules
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of engineers, technicians, and assemblers, fostering a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement
  • Manage departmental budgets, resources, and staffing to meet aggressive development and production goals
• Process & Quality Control
  • Ensure all assembly and test operations comply with AS9100 quality management systems and other relevant industry standards
  • Collaborate with the Quality team to implement and monitor quality control measures
  • Drive a culture of safety, quality and accountability, from the development floor to the production line
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with the Manufacturing Operations team to ensure a seamless handoff of parts that aligns with program schedule(s)
  • Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Program Management to ensure a smooth transition from design to delivery
  • Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to engine assembly and testing, supporting both development and production teams

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant technical or operations subject
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in a manufacturing or operations leadership role, with at least 5 years specifically in gas turbine engine manufacturing, assembly and/or testing
• Demonstrated experience in scaling a manufacturing operation from development to production
• Proven experience in managing and leading a technical team
• Deep technical knowledge of gas turbine engine manufacturing, assembly processes, and performance testing protocols
• Experience with AS9100 or similar quality management systems
• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. U.S. Citizenship is required, as only U.S. Citizens are eligible for a security clearance

• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Strong strategic planning and analytical abilities
• Proficiency in project management and resource planning
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and innovative environment

If this sounds like you, please submit an application with your resume. This could be the opportunity you are looking for to expand your skills, contribute to a winning team, and work with talented people who love what they do and take pride in our mission.

In compliance with Colorado’s Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, the salary range for this position is $216,000-$240,000 base salary. Please note that wage information is a general guideline only, and we will consider factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience,…