Head of Operations

Space Forge Inc; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Space Forge is seeking a Head of Operations to lead and shape the future of its operations. This role involves strategic planning, operational management, and collaboration with the executive team to support growth in the UK and internationally. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in high-growth engineering environments and a passion for innovation in space manufacturing.

Benefits

Flexitime hours

33 days holiday including bank holidays

Pension scheme at 4% matched

Volunteering days for charity

Mental health support platform access

Maternity / Paternity benefits beyond statutory

Qualifications

• 10+ years in high-growth engineering organizations.
• Experience in operational leadership and management.
• Ability to combine strategic thinking with hands-on operational requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead Space Forge UK’s operational needs and manage engineering budgets.
• Create and implement policies and procedures for internal operations.
• Support the growth of Space Forge’s footprint across multiple locations.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Operational management

Stakeholder partnership

Mentoring

Leadership

Job description

Space Forge is a fast-growing in-space manufacturing company. We are first and foremost a materials company, developing new compound semiconductor substrates. We do this onboard the world’s first returnable and re-launchable satellite platform, the ForgeStar. The ForgeStar can support a wide array of missions, from in-space manufacturing of new materials and microgravity research, to planetary landing systems and deep space exploration.

Now is the time to bring on a Head of Operations for Space Forge. You’ll shape the future of Space Forge operationally, with a special focus on developing the UK business and supporting our new US and EU operations. The role will cover long-term strategic planning and owning day-to-day operations. Working in partnership with the CEO, CTO, and CFO, you’ll have the authority to put in place the operational drivers Space Forge needs for its next phase of growth.

We are looking for someone who has a desire to be part of our journey to build something generational. Someone who has experienced fast company growth and the challenges that come along with it.

What will you do?

• Prepare Space Forge for its next phase of growth
• Provide analysis and insights on operational matters to improve company function
• Flow down company priorities into operational plans
• Create and maintain procedures for engineering delivery for our customers
• Lead on business process improvement initiatives
• Take ownership of operational resource management
• Be part of the executive team and have the autonomy to take action for the business

Key responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Management

• Lead Space Forge UK’s operational needs - developing the procedures and priorities required for our customers and stakeholders
• Manage Space Forge’s project-based engineering budgets and resources
• Help achieve AS-9100 certification for Space Forge with the CTO
• Oversee our Programme, Facilities, and Business Support teams to help them hit business objectives
• Support the Finance and Procurement teams to meet their goals

Development of Operations Function

• Create and implement policies, organisations, and procedures to ensure internal operations meet their objectives
• Contribute to company strategy and take the lead in strategy development for programme, facilities, and business operations
• Support the growth of Space Forge’s footprint over multiple UK locations and internationally
• Be responsible for our engineering resource management process

The range of skills we are looking for:

• You have at least 10 years of professional experience in high-growth engineering organisations
• You know how to combine strategic thinking with hands-on, operational requirements
• You can partner effectively with stakeholders, providing understanding of the business, analysis, insights, and forward-looking views
• You are a self-starter, at ease working in a fast-changing organization where people focus on results, rather than bureaucracy

• Mentoring or people leadership experience - you’ll have direct reports across programmes, facilities, and business support
• Experience with international expansion and subsidiary creation (optional)
• Experience of Space and/or Semiconductor industries (optional)

If you have any of these skills please ensure they are obvious on your CV and you should highlight them in your application answers.

Why Space Forge?

We believe in a future where our most polluting industries are moved off planet, built for sustainability, and returned back to Earth for the benefit of all. Space is the next step for our manufacturing needs.

Salary range: £75,000-95,000 pa depending on experience.

At Space Forge, we believe in creating the best possible workplace that suits every single person that joins us.

• Flexitime hours - 40 to be worked across Monday-Sunday as fits both your needs and the needs of the role
• 2-3 days a week in the office at our Cardiff HQ and other UK locations
• 33 days holiday including bank holidays
• Pension scheme at 4% matched
• Charity or cause you’re passionate about? Up to 5 volunteering days a year to support the things closest to you and make an impact
• Super cool office and factory - the coffee is on us (and it’s certified carbon neutral too, our snazzy machine does anything from the humble americano to a superb flat white)
• Pizza pay day - okay, it’s not always pizza, but if you’re at the office on pay day, lunch is on us
• Your mental health is important! You’ll have access to Spill - an all-in-one mental health support platform offering completely anonymous therapy sessions to our whole team
• Working with a passionate, friendly and highly motivated team
• Maternity / Paternity benefits beyond statutory

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace and that starts with hiring diversely. However you identify, and whatever background you bring with you, we welcome you to apply for a role at Space Forge.

If there are any adjustments that would help improve your experience with Space Forge, please do let us know when you apply.

We also believe our interview process should be inclusive and transparent and we take it very seriously. We want to give you time to learn about us while we get to know you. As always, if there is anything missing, or you've identified a way we can improve, just let us know!

For this role, have a three-stage interview process:

1. 45-minute Culture and Values video call interview with 2 members of our team
2. 60-minute Skills video call interview related to specific needs of the role with 2 members of the team you'll be most closely working with
3. Q&A session with Company Directors