Director of Industrial Management

SupportFinity, Inc.; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 350,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Orbitworks in Abu Dhabi is seeking a Director of Industrial Management to align AIT, QA, Supply Chain, Manufacturing Engineering, Facilities and Test into a scalable, industrialized operation. This on-site, full‑time role partners with the VP of Operations to convert milestones into capacity models, processes, and execution rhythms for near‑term deliveries and long‑term growth.

The ideal candidate has 12–15+ years in space/aerospace manufacturing, a proven ability to build cross‑functional

Qualifications

• 12–15+ years in Operations/Manufacturing leadership in space or avionics sectors.
• Experience in mid‑volume, high‑mix production environments.
• Ability to influence across multiple functional teams without authority.

Responsibilities

• Act as the chief integrator across OPS (AIT, QA, Facilities, Supply Chain, Manufacturing Eng, Test).
• Lead and coordinate operations programs to meet cost, schedule, and quality targets.
• Drive digital manufacturing adoption and capacity planning across the org.
• Develop and mentor a small cross‑functional OPS team.

Skills

Operations leadership

Capacity planning

Industrial engineering

Cross-functional leadership

Digital manufacturing

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering

MBA preferred

Tools

ERP/MRP

PLM

Job description

Wanna join the adventure?
OW is transitioning from startup mode into an industrialized space-systems manufacturer, and we’re looking for a Director of Industrial Management to help lead that shift. This role works across all Operations functions — AIT, QA, Supply Chain, Manufacturing Engineering, Facilities, and Test — to drive alignment, readiness, and execution for near‑term deliveries and long‑term scaling.

ON-SITE – FULL TIME – ABU DHABI

You’ll partner closely with the VP of Operations and functional leaders to build the processes, capacity models, and operational rhythms that support reliable production and prepare the organization for higher throughput. The ideal candidate brings deep aerospace or avionics manufacturing experience, strong cross‑functional leadership, and a talent for turning complex operational challenges into clear, executable plans.

If you’re motivated by enabling teams, improving execution, and helping shape the operational backbone of a growing space company, this role offers meaningful impact and room to grow.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Transverse Leadership

• Act as the “chief integrator” across OPS (AIT, QA, Facilities, Supply Chain, Manufacturing Eng, Test Eng), ensuring alignment between daily execution and long‑term strategic objectives.
• Translate high‑level company milestones into OPS strategies, execution roadmaps, and capacity models.
• Anticipate operational bottlenecks, risks, and resource needs before they materialize, designing mitigation strategies proactively.
• Serve as a trusted deputy to the VP of OPS, able to step in as acting lead when needed.

Execution & Program Management

• Lead and coordinate operations programs, ensuring all functions deliver to cost, schedule, and quality targets.
• Manage the flow of material, tooling, and workforce capacity to support a high‑mix, mid‑volume production environment.
• Ensure digital manufacturing and data‑driven tools are implemented and adopted effectively across the org.
• Drive “OPS readiness reviews” to ensure facilities, people, materials, and processes are prepared ahead of program needs.

People & Organizational Development

• Directly manage and grow a small cross‑functional OPS program team (planner, project engineer, industrial engineer).
• Coach functional leaders in execution discipline, planning rigor, and continuous improvement.
• Build a culture of accountability, autonomy, and systems thinking across the organization.
• Influence without authority across senior engineering, manufacturing, and corporate teams.

Continuous Improvement & Scalability

• Deploy lean and digital manufacturing initiatives to reduce cycle time and improve quality.
• Standardize OPS processes and governance mechanisms to enable scale‑up of production.
• Champion lessons‑learned and post‑mortem reviews to drive organizational learning.

Experience – Must Haves

• 12–15+ years in Operations/Manufacturing leadership roles in space, aerospace, avionics, or adjacent high‑reliability industries.
• Proven experience in mid‑volume, high‑mix production environments (satellites, avionics systems, or complex electromechanical hardware).
• Strong background in operational management and planning, and crossfunctional operational leadership.
• Demonstrated success influencing and aligning across multiple technical functions without direct authority.
• Track record of building teams and processes capable of scaling from startup mode to industrialized operations.

Skills & Attributes

• Systems thinker with strong ability to zoom in/out (from floor‑level detail to strategic planning).
• Exceptional leadership presence: able to coach, challenge, and inspire across functions.
• Strong command of capacity planning, industrial engineering, and material flow.
• Adept at digital tools and modern manufacturing systems (ERP/MRP, PLM, digital data flows).
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and conflict‑resolution skills.
• Hands on experience in operational crises but able to remain calm, structured, and forward‑looking.

Education

• Bachelor’s in Engineering or Operations‑related field (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Aerospace).
• Advanced degree (MBA, MSc, or equivalent) preferred.

Orbitworks’ mission is to make space simple for organizations that want to deploy physical and virtual missions to space. Building on Loft Orbital’s heritage, Orbitworks will be the first commercial firm in the United Arab Emirates to mass‑manufacture satellites. Orbitworks aims to manufacture tens of satellites annually and operates out of a 50,000‑square‑foot facility in Abu Dhabi.

About the company

Orbitworks