Director Operations Management

L3Harris Technologies; Millersville (MD); On-site; USD 151,000 - 281,000; Full time

Job summary

L3Harris is seeking an experienced Operations Director for the Acoustics & Imaging Division, Maritime sector, to provide senior leadership across a geographically dispersed manufacturing footprint. Based in Millersville, MD, you will drive disciplined operational performance, standardize processes, and lead transformational improvements to increase throughput and readiness.

You will oversee facilities in Millersville, Salt Lake City, and New England, aligning with cross-functional teams in

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 15 years of related experience; graduate degree with 13 years; in lieu of a degree, 19 years.
• 13+ years of progressive operational leadership in manufacturing, engineering operations, or program execution.
• Experience leading operations across multiple sites or complex, distributed environments.
• Proven track record of throughput gains, cost reductions, and performance stabilization.
• Strong proficiency in ERP/MRP systems; standardization and data accuracy.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes, supply chain, production planning, and performance management.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams—engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality—under pressure.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement across all levels.
• Up to 50% travel.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic, disciplined operational leadership for a multi-site manufacturing and engineering environment.
• Lead daily operations across sites with standardized processes and clear accountability.
• Drive footprint consolidation and transformation initiatives including facility optimization and workflow redesign.
• Increase factory throughput using data-driven decisions and Lean/six sigma practices.
• Build a scalable manufacturing pipeline to support near-term commitments and long-term growth.
• Oversee forecasting, capacity analysis, labor planning, and capital investment strategies.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Program Management, Supply Chain, and Quality for cross-functional alignment.
• Set and enforce operational performance metrics with root-cause analysis and improvement plans.
• Lead and mentor leaders across 300+ workforce, fostering accountability and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and maritime standards across all sites.
• Represent the division in leadership reviews and strategic planning.

Skills

ERP/MRP proficiency

Cross-functional leadership

Multi-site leadership

Operational excellence

Communication

Travel up to 50%

Education

Bachelor’s Degree (or higher) with 15+ years of experience

Graduate Degree with 13+ years of experience

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

MES systems

Job description

L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.

L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title: Director, Operations Management

Job Location: Millersville, MD

Job Schedule: 9/80

Job Description

L3Harris is seeking a talented Operations Director for the Acoustics & Imaging Division within the Maritime sector of Space & Mission Systems. This role provides senior operational leadership for a highly complex, geographically dispersed manufacturing and engineering footprint. The Operations Director is responsible for driving disciplined operational performance, standardizing processes across multiple facilities, and leading transformational improvements that increase factory throughput, efficiency, and overall execution readiness. Based in Millersville, MD, this leader oversees additional operations in Salt Lake City and New England, ensuring alignment to operational rigor, strong cross-functional collaboration, and consistent delivery in support of advanced maritime acoustics and imaging systems. The role manages a workforce of more than 300 employees and plays a key part in stabilizing performance, executing footprint consolidation, and advancing ERP/MRP standardization across the division.

Essential Functions

• Provide strategic and disciplined operational leadership for a multi-site manufacturing and engineering environment, driving consistent execution aligned with Maritime Sector priorities.
• Lead daily operations across multiple sites, ensuring standardized processes, strong communication, and clear accountability.
• Drive footprint consolidation and overall transformation initiatives, including facility optimization, workflow redesign, and elimination of operational inefficiencies.
• Increase factory throughput through structured performance management, data-driven decision-making, and implementation of Lean, continuous improvement, and best-in-class manufacturing practices.
• Build a scalable, reliable manufacturing pipeline that supports near-term program commitments and long-term growth of the Acoustics & Imaging Division.
• Oversee operational forecasting, capacity analysis, labor planning, and capital investment strategies to ensure readiness and on-time delivery.
• Partner closely with Engineering, Program Management, Supply Chain, and Quality to strengthen cross-functional alignment from product development through production.
• Establish, track, and enforce operational performance metrics, including delivery, cost, quality, and productivity, supported by root-cause analysis and improvement plans.
• Lead, develop, and mentor operational and functional leaders across a workforce of 300+, reinforcing a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure adherence to all maritime, manufacturing, safety, and quality standards while advancing process consistency across all sites.
• Represent the division in leadership reviews, cross-functional forums, and strategic planning efforts.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 15 years of prior related experience. Graduate Degree with a minimum of 13 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 19 years of prior related experience.
• 13+ years of progressive operational leadership in manufacturing, engineering operations, or program execution.
• Demonstrated experience leading operations across multiple sites or complex, distributed environments.
• Proven track record of delivering measurable operational improvements, including throughput gains, cost reductions, and sustained performance stabilization.
• Strong proficiency in ERP/MRP systems, with demonstrated ability to drive standardization, improve data accuracy, and strengthen operational rigor.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes, supply chain operations, production planning, and performance management.
• Proven ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams—engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and quality—in high-pressure delivery environments.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills across all organizational levels.
• Up to 50% travel

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with acoustics, sonar systems, imaging technologies, or maritime/defense manufacturing.
• Certifications or formal training in Lean, Six Sigma, or structured continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience leading multi-site operational transformations, footprint consolidation, or ERP integration efforts.
• Familiarity with MES systems and digital operations platforms.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role is $151,000-281,000. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

L3Harris Technologies is an E-Verify Employer.