Director 2, Operations

Draper Labs; Cambridge; On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a Director of Operations to lead production and manufacturing efforts. This high-impact role is crucial for overseeing end-to-end production processes, ensuring quality, and aligning operations with business needs. The successful candidate will drive continuous improvement and manage a diverse team, contributing to the organization's growth. If you're passionate about operational excellence and want to make a significant impact in a collaborative environment, this opportunity is for you.

Benefits

Workplace Flexibility

Employee Clubs

Health and Finance Workshops

Off-Site Social Events

Discounts to Local Museums

Qualifications

• 10+ years in Engineering or Program Management.
• 5+ years managing teams in manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee production processes and quality control.
• Manage budgets and operational performance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Problem Solving

Program/Product Lifecycle Understanding

Organizational Corrective Action

Performance Metrics Knowledge

Communication Skills

Self-Starter

Collaboration

Regulatory Knowledge (FAA, FDA, DO-178)

Top Secret Clearance Ability

Travel Flexibility

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Master's Degree in Engineering

Job description

Overview:

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation. For more information about Draper, visit www.draper.com.

Job Description Summary:

The Director 2, Operations leads key production and manufacturing capabilities across a range of technologies and production stages, from development and prototyping to full-scale production. This is a high-impact role responsible for the end-to-end oversight of production processes, manufacturing schedules, toolset performance, and quality across Draper's commercial and government programs. The Director 2, Operations will bring a deep understanding of modern factory operations, material flow, MES systems, and complex assembly processes, with a strong track record of driving operational excellence in a dynamic environment.

The Director 2 is responsible for aligning operations with evolving business needs, managing budgets and service center rates, and ensuring schedule adherence and delivery performance. They are instrumental in identifying opportunities for continuous improvement, providing performance briefings to executive leadership, and supporting strategic planning and execution. The position also includes second-line management of a diverse and multidisciplinary workforce, contributing to organizational growth through effective resource planning and talent development.

Job Description:

Duties/Responsibilities

• End-to-End Management: Oversee the processes, including toolset performance, production schedules, quality control, and on-time deliveries of various manufacturing sites and capabilities

• Budget Oversight: Develop, manage, and track operational budgets plus service center rates and charges to ensure financial objectives are met.

• Schedule Adherence: Plan and maintain production schedules, ensuring alignment with customer and organizational delivery requirements.

• Performance Optimization: Drive continuous improvement initiatives to maximize equipment uptime, yield, and throughput while minimizing cost.

• Development/Delivery of executive briefings on Draper wide performance metrics.

• Recommend improvements to business processes and follow up with executive leadership on initiatives.

• Alignment of activities with evolving business needs, the development and implementation of the Division's Strategic Plan.

• Management of staff hiring and recruiting.

• Adjustment of organizational structure is necessary to support new Draper initiatives.

• Maintenance of internal audit and continuous process improvement.

• Personnel resource management for projects staffed by the Division.

• Career development of the future leaders of the organization through mentoring, growth assignments, professional seminars, and other educational opportunities.

Skills/Abilities

• Able to solve complex problems.

• Understanding of the program / product lifecycle of manufactured products.

• Able to drive broad organizational corrective action to improve business processes

• Knowledge of organizational and project-based performance metrics.

• Strong written and verbal communication, analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Self-starter and the ability to set organizational vision and achieve results.

• The ability to work collaboratively within a team environment is a must.

• Knowledge of industry and government regulations and certification standards (FAA, FDA, DO-178, etc.)

• Ability to obtain Top Secret Clearance

• Ability for moderate travel

Education

Bachelor's Degree required in an Engineering or technical field. M.S. preferred

Experience

10+ years of experience in Engineering and/or Program Management.

At least 5 years of experience managing individual contributors, managers, and cross-functional teams.

Prefer previous experience managing large manufacturing areas or program deliverables.

Additional Job Description:

Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

Connect With Draper for Future Opportunities! If you don't find the right posting in our Career Opportunities, you may submit your resume for future consideration.

Job Location - City:

Cambridge

Job Location - State:

Massachusetts

Job Location - Postal Code:

02139-3563

Our work is very important to us, but so is our life outside of work. Draper supports many programs to improve work-life balance including workplace flexibility, employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga, health and finance workshops, off site social events and discounts to local museums and cultural activities. If this specific job opportunity and the chance to work at a nationally renowned R&D innovation company appeals to you, apply now www.draper.com/careers.

Draper is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We understand the value of inclusivity and its impact on a high-performance culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Draper is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact [e-mail].