Operations Facilities Manager Strategy & Ops

Location:

Lawton, Oklahoma

Firehawk Aerospace operates advanced hybrid rocket propulsion, energetics, and manufacturing facilities. The Operations Facilities Manager for the Lawton, OK site is responsible for ensuring the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of the entire location, including buildings, infrastructure, energy systems, equipment, and support services required for production, R&D, and testing activities.

The Operations Facilities Manager
- Lawton, OK oversees full-site operations including facility maintenance, infrastructure readiness, safety compliance, utilities management, and contractor coordination. This role is accountable for ensuring the Lawton site operates reliably and efficiently to support manufacturing, testing, engineering, and administrative functions. The ideal candidate has experience leading facility operations at an industrial, aerospace, or defense site with strong organizational and leadership capabilities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage facility operations across the entire Lawton, OK site including manufacturing, test areas, and administrative spaces
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, EHS, NFPA, ATF, environmental, and city/state regulatory requirements
• Lead preventative, corrective, and emergency maintenance programs for all facility systems
• Oversee utilities including HVAC, compressed gases, power distribution, water systems, and high-hazard infrastructure
• Manage site service contractors including electrical, mechanical, construction, and safety support teams
• Plan and execute facility upgrades, expansions, and infrastructure improvements
• Coordinate with engineering, operations, and safety teams to maintain site readiness
• Oversee emergency response programs and site-level risk mitigation
• Maintain facility documentation including inspections, regulatory reporting, permits, and safety logs
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance site reliability, safety, and operational efficiency

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Facility Management, Operations Management, or related field
• 7+ years experience in facility operations, industrial maintenance, or site management (15 years combined preferred)
• Experience overseeing full-site operations in manufacturing, aerospace, or defense environments
• Knowledge of OSHA, EH&S, NFPA, and facility regulatory standards
• Experience managing contractors, vendors, and cross-functional teams
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with energetic materials or hazardous test facilities
• Background in rocket propulsion, aerospace production, or defense site management
• Experience leading facility expansion and construction projects
• Familiarity with ERP systems such as Deltek Costpoint
• Certifications in facility management, project management, or lean operations

ITAR Requirements:

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or otherwise eligible for restricted technology access.

Work Environment and

Physical Requirements:

This position requires regular mobility throughout the Lawton, OK site including manufacturing, testing, machine shop, and outdoor environments. Duties may include walking, climbing, lifting up to 25 pounds, and working in high-hazard areas with appropriate PPE such as safety glasses, safety footwear, flame-resistant clothing, hearing protection, and respiratory protection when required.

Security Clearance:

May be required to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance at the appropriate level. Requires U.S. Citizenship. Must also be able to satisfy federal government requirements for access to government information, and having dual citizenship may preclude you from being able to meet this requirement.

Benefits at Firehawk:

At Firehawk, we are committed to supporting the well-being of our employees and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to provide peace of mind and help you thrive both personally and professionally.

• Health Coverage:
  We offer 100% employer-paid medical premiums for employees and up to 75% coverage for dependents under select plans, with additional options for PPO and HDHP plans. Coverage begins the first of the month…