Hiring: Director, Production Operations Company: Sierra Space Location: Madison, WI Job Posted Time: 2026-09-03 11:00:46 Employment Type: Contract / Hybrid Target Skills & Keywords : Assembly, Manufacturing Execution Systems, Program Management, Security Clearance, Six Sigma About the job Experience: •10+ years of experience in manufacturing, production, or operations roles in complex technical industries, with a significant portion in leadership positions. Required Skills: •Lead manufacturing and assembly operations for propulsion product lines, including day-to-day oversight of production floor activities, scheduling, and workflow management at the Madison, WI facility. •Execute production strategy to scale propulsion manufacturing from development programs into repeatable, high-rate production with a focus on throughput, yield, and cost efficiency. •Standardize propulsion production processes and workflows to create consistent, repeatable, high-quality build operations aligned with enterprise-wide best practices. •Support capacity planning and facility buildout efforts for propulsion manufacturing, including layout optimization, equipment installation, and production line commissioning. •Drive vertical integration initiatives by standing up and maturing internal propulsion manufacturing capabilities, including additive manufacturing, machining, assembly, and test operations for propulsion components and systems. •Implement and mature manufacturing execution systems (MES) and production data infrastructure to enable traceability, repeatability, and real-time visibility into propulsion manufacturing performance. •Establish and maintain production operating rhythm through KPIs, dashboards, and review cadences focused on cycle time, yield, throughput, labor efficiency, on-time delivery, and cost for propulsion production. •Partner cross-functionally with Propulsion Engineering and Product Assurance to drive design-for-manufacturing (DFM) and design-for-test (DFT) into propulsion product development and support new product introduction (NPI) activities. Qualifications: •We’re looking for team members who align with our values, mission and goals – while also meeting the minimum qualifications below. The preferred qualifications are a bonus, not a requirement. •Bachelor's degree in engineering, manufacturing, operations, or a related technical field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree). •The ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required •Demonstrated success in successfully managing large teams and complex production projects in high-rate manufacturing environments. •Strong background in manufacturing processes, assembly & integration, and operational execution for complex electromechanical or aerospace systems, with emphasis on propulsion systems preferred. •Demonstrated experience implementing and scaling production operations, including process standardization, workflow optimization, and capacity planning. •Knowledge of design-for-manufacturing (DFM) principles and ability to collaborate with engineering teams to optimize product designs for production. •Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and drive operational excellence in fast-paced, highly technical environments. •Expertise in continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma) with proven ability to identify and eliminate production inefficiencies. •Strong financial acumen with demonstrated ability to manage production budgets, analyze manufacturing costs, and implement cost-saving measures. Compensation: •$164,513 - $226,205 / year Interested candidates, please apply directly through the job posting on company's career page or try via AI auto apply on this platform. Don't miss this opportunity to join a forward-thinking team!