Aerospace Operations Leader - Scale Engine Production

Firecrest Aerospace Inc.; Stevens Point (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Benefits package including medical, 4%

Job summary

Firecrest Aerospace is establishing a new manufacturing facility in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, to scale from small turbine engine assembly to full production. The Operations Manager will stand up processes, workflows, and infrastructure, then progressively lead an on-site team through phases of growth with a strong emphasis on safety, quality, and efficiency.

The role requires hands-on leadership, deep experience in aerospace manufacturing, and a proven ability to implement lean, Six Sigma, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing operations (aerospace or turbine engine preferred).
• Experience transitioning products from NPI to production.
• Strong knowledge of yield improvement, root cause analysis, process control, and lean manufacturing and Six Sigma techniques.
• Experience scaling operations in a structured, phase-based environment.
• Proven ability to build processes and teams from the ground up.
• Working knowledge of NIST 800-171.
• Builder mindset with strong execution focus.
• Deep understanding of production scaling dynamics (FPY takt time progression).
• Data-driven decision making and metric ownership.
• Strong leadership and team development capability.
• Cross-functional influence and collaboration.
• On-site role within a turbine engine assembly and test facility.
• Significant time on the production floor and in test environments.
• Exposure to industrial equipment, noise, and regulated processes.

Responsibilities

• Partner with VP of Propulsion Operations to develop and implement operational strategies.
• Establish assembly and test workflows, SOPs, and process controls.
• Support facility layout, equipment installation, and commissioning.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, quality, and supply chain.
• Assist in hiring strategy and workforce planning.
• Support implementation of facility security aligned with NIST 800-171.
• Transition to Plant Manager reporting, lead daily operations.
• Directly manage Assembly and Test Supervisors, EHS&E Specialist, and Facility Security.
• Provide leadership oversight for technician-level assembly and test personnel via supervisors.
• Lead structured problem-solving and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop scalable systems for production planning and execution.
• Build a high-performance, accountable operations culture.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Data-driven decisions

Cross-functional collaboration

Team development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Job description

Firecrest Aerospace is establishing a new manufacturing facility in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, to scale from small turbine engine assembly to full production. The Operations Manager will stand up processes, workflows, and infrastructure, then progressively lead an on-site team through phases of growth with a strong emphasis on safety, quality, and efficiency.

The role requires hands-on leadership, deep experience in aerospace manufacturing, and a proven ability to implement lean, Six Sigma, and