Operational Planner of Design and Manufacturing

Operational Planner of Design and Manufacturing

Description: We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Operational Planner to support production, engineering, and supply chain activities within a fast-paced aerospace and defense engineering environment. The Operational Planner will be responsible for developing and maintaining production schedules, coordinating cross-functional operational activities, monitoring resource utilization, and ensuring alignment with program milestones, quality standards, and customer delivery requirements. This role requires strong planning, communication, and problem-solving skills, along with experience working in highly regulated aerospace or advanced manufacturing environments.

• Develop and maintain operational and production schedules for aerospace engineering programs and manufacturing activities.
• Coordinate with engineering, procurement, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams to ensure schedule adherence and material availability.
• Monitor capacity planning, labor utilization, tooling availability, and production constraints.
• Analyze operational data and KPIs to identify schedule risks, bottlenecks, and opportunities for process improvement.
• Support program execution by tracking milestones, deliverables, and production readiness activities.
• Prepare and maintain planning documentation, reports, and dashboards for leadership review.
• Participate in cross-functional coordination efforts.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to mitigate delays and resolve operational issues.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, quality requirements, and regulatory guidelines.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to operational efficiency, inventory management, and workflow optimization.
• Assist in implementing ERP/MRP system updates and planning process improvements.

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or experience in related field
• Minimum 5 years of experience in operations planning, production planning, or program coordination within aerospace, defense, aviation, or advanced manufacturing industries.
• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems such as: SAP, Oracle
• Strong understanding of supply chain coordination, manufacturing operations
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis tools.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, BOMs, and production documentation.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work in a highly regulated, deadline-driven environment.

• Experience with aerospace quality standards such as: AS9100, FAA regulations, ISO standards
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Experience supporting defense or government aerospace programs is a plus.
• Strategic Planning, Operational Coordination, Analytical Thinking, Attention to Detail, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Time Management, Problem Solving

• Office and manufacturing floor environment.
• May require occasional travel to suppliers, customer sites, or production facilities.
• Ability to work extended hours during critical production or program milestones.
• Indoor office environment

The pay range for this role is: 71,000 - 95,000 USD per year (San Clemente, CA)