Director, Production Operations

Sierra Space; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 165,000 - 226,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) with 150% match up to 6%

Life insurance

3 weeks paid time off

Job summary

Sierra Space is seeking a Director of Production Operations based in Madison, Wisconsin to lead propulsion manufacturing and drive scalable, high‑rate production while maintaining quality and cost efficiency.

You will standardize processes, implement MES, and develop teams, partnering with Engineering, Supply Chain and Quality to ensure production readiness and on‑time delivery for space and defense applications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, manufacturing, operations, or a related technical field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree).
• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing, production, or operations roles in complex technical industries, with a significant portion in leadership positions.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required
• Proven track record of successfully managing large teams and complex production projects in high-rate manufacturing environments.
• Strong background in manufacturing processes, assembly & integration, and operational execution for complex electromechanical or aerospace systems, with emphasis on propulsion systems preferred.
• Demonstrated experience implementing and scaling production operations, including process standardization, workflow optimization, and capacity planning.
• Experience with data-driven manufacturing systems, MES, and production management processes, including OKR development and performance tracking.
• Knowledge of design-for-manufacturing (DFM) principles and ability to collaborate with engineering teams to optimize product designs for production.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and drive operational excellence in fast-paced, highly technical environments.
• Expertise in continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma) with proven ability to identify and eliminate production inefficiencies.
• Strong financial acumen with demonstrated ability to manage production budgets, analyze manufacturing costs, and implement cost-saving measures.
• In-depth knowledge of industry-specific production standards, safety regulations, and quality management systems (ISO, AS9100, GMP, etc.).
• Excellent cross-functional collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to represent production interests effectively to executive leadership and external stakeholders.
• Ability to uphold and model company values while holding others accountable and fostering a culture of operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing and assembly operations for propulsion product lines, including day‑to‑day oversight of production floor activities, scheduling, and workflow management at the Madison, WI facility.
• Execute production strategy to scale propulsion manufacturing from development programs into repeatable, high‑rate production with a focus on throughput, yield, and cost efficiency.
• Standardize propulsion production processes and workflows to create consistent, repeatable, high‑quality build operations aligned with enterprise‑wide best practices.
• Support capacity planning and facility buildout efforts for propulsion manufacturing, including layout optimization, equipment installation, and production line commissioning.
• Drive vertical integration initiatives by standing up and maturing internal propulsion manufacturing capabilities, including additive manufacturing, machining, assembly, and test operations for propulsion components and systems.
• Implement and mature manufacturing execution systems (MES) and production data infrastructure to enable traceability, repeatability, and real‑time visibility into propulsion manufacturing performance.
• Establish and maintain production operating rhythm through KPIs, dashboards, and review cadences focused on cycle time, yield, throughput, labor efficiency, on‑time delivery, and cost for propulsion production.
• Apply lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma) to identify and eliminate production inefficiencies, reduce waste, and improve quality in propulsion operations.
• Collaborate with Propulsion Engineering and Product Assurance to drive design‑for‑manufacturing (DFM) and design‑for‑test (DFT) into propulsion product development and support new product introduction (NPI) activities.
• Partner across Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Facilities, Security, and Program Management to ensure aligned production readiness, material availability, and execution against propulsion program schedules.
• Manage production budgets for propulsion operations and analyze manufacturing costs to implement cost‑saving measures that maintain quality standards and support financial goals.
• Lead and develop production management teams at the Madison facility, including supervisors, engineers, and technicians, fostering collaboration and accountability while upholding company values and a culture of operational excellence.
• Ensure compliance with industry‑specific production standards, safety regulations, and quality management systems (ISO, AS9100, GMP, etc.) applicable to aerospace and propulsion manufacturing operations.
• Represent propulsion production operations in cross‑functional forums and communicate status, risks, and mitigation plans to executive leadership and external stakeholders, including customers and regulatory bodies.

Skills

Leadership

Manufacturing management

Production planning

Data-driven manufacturing

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/manufacturing/operations

Tools

MES

Lean/Six Sigma tools

Job description

At Sierra Space, we build the missions and systems that keep our world secure in the domain above Earth.

Sierra Space team members share a spirit of innovation and collaboration and a belief that we can deliver on the boldest missions in space today. Together with our customers, we aim to safeguard our nation, sustain human presence in space, and secure the freedom of operations in low Earth orbit and beyond. Our success is measured by the trust of those who rely on what we build and deliver, and our technologies keep the United States and its allies mission-ready throughout space. We are mission-driven, and together, we are an extraordinary team.

About The Role

Sierra Space is scaling from development programs into high-rate, repeatable production across a diversified portfolio of military and commercial systems, including satellites and spacecraft, propulsion systems, solar power systems, and the Dream Chaser spaceplane. As Director, Production Operations based in Madison, Wisconsin, you will play a critical role in executing the production strategy for propulsion development and manufacturing, building the operational systems required to deliver hardware at pace, at quality, and at cost.

This is an execution-focused leadership role for a proven operations professional with expertise in propulsion systems. Reporting to the Vice President, Production, you will lead manufacturing and assembly operations for propulsion product lines and additional enterprise products within Sierra Space's Madison facility. You will drive standardization of production processes, implement data-driven manufacturing systems, and build high-performing teams capable of scaling propulsion output while maintaining quality and efficiency. You will partner closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Program Management to ensure production readiness and on-time delivery of critical propulsion systems for space and defense applications.

About You

Our mission is driven by an unyielding commitment to advancing space-based technology in service of our customers and safeguarding national security. We seek individuals who are passionate about innovating beyond boundaries and relentlessly pursuing solutions that protect, preserve and empower – to join us in this critical mission.

We’re looking for team members who align with our values, mission and goals – while also meeting the minimum qualifications below. The preferred qualifications are a bonus, not a requirement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing and assembly operations for propulsion product lines, including day‑to‑day oversight of production floor activities, scheduling, and workflow management at the Madison, WI facility.
• Execute production strategy to scale propulsion manufacturing from development programs into repeatable, high‑rate production with a focus on throughput, yield, and cost efficiency.
• Standardize propulsion production processes and workflows to create consistent, repeatable, high‑quality build operations aligned with enterprise‑wide best practices.
• Support capacity planning and facility buildout efforts for propulsion manufacturing, including layout optimization, equipment installation, and production line commissioning.
• Drive vertical integration initiatives by standing up and maturing internal propulsion manufacturing capabilities, including additive manufacturing, machining, assembly, and test operations for propulsion components and systems.
• Implement and mature manufacturing execution systems (MES) and production data infrastructure to enable traceability, repeatability, and real‑time visibility into propulsion manufacturing performance.
• Establish and maintain production operating rhythm through KPIs, dashboards, and review cadences focused on cycle time, yield, throughput, labor efficiency, on‑time delivery, and cost for propulsion production.
• Apply lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma) to identify and eliminate production inefficiencies, reduce waste, and improve quality in propulsion operations.
• Collaborate with Propulsion Engineering and Product Assurance to drive design‑for‑manufacturing (DFM) and design‑for‑test (DFT) into propulsion product development and support new product introduction (NPI) activities.
• Partner across Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Facilities, Security, and Program Management to ensure aligned production readiness, material availability, and execution against propulsion program schedules.
• Manage production budgets for propulsion operations and analyze manufacturing costs to implement cost‑saving measures that maintain quality standards and support financial goals.
• Lead and develop production management teams at the Madison facility, including supervisors, engineers, and technicians, fostering collaboration and accountability while upholding company values and a culture of operational excellence.
• Ensure compliance with industry‑specific production standards, safety regulations, and quality management systems (ISO, AS9100, GMP, etc.) applicable to aerospace and propulsion manufacturing operations.
• Represent propulsion production operations in cross‑functional forums and communicate status, risks, and mitigation plans to executive leadership and external stakeholders, including customers and regulatory bodies.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, manufacturing, operations, or a related technical field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree).
• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing, production, or operations roles in complex technical industries, with a significant portion in leadership positions.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required
• Proven track record of successfully managing large teams and complex production projects in high‑rate manufacturing environments.
• Strong background in manufacturing processes, assembly & integration, and operational execution for complex electromechanical or aerospace systems, with emphasis on propulsion systems preferred.
• Demonstrated experience implementing and scaling production operations, including process standardization, workflow optimization, and capacity planning.
• Experience with data‑driven manufacturing systems, MES, and production management processes, including OKR development and performance tracking.
• Knowledge of design‑for‑manufacturing (DFM) principles and ability to collaborate with engineering teams to optimize product designs for production.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and drive operational excellence in fast‑paced, highly technical environments.
• Expertise in continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma) with proven ability to identify and eliminate production inefficiencies.
• Strong financial acumen with demonstrated ability to manage production budgets, analyze manufacturing costs, and implement cost‑saving measures.
• In‑depth knowledge of industry‑specific production standards, safety regulations, and quality management systems (ISO, AS9100, GMP, etc.).
• Excellent cross‑functional collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to represent production interests effectively to executive leadership and external stakeholders.
• Ability to uphold and model company values while holding others accountable and fostering a culture of operational excellence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in propulsion manufacturing and test operations, including liquid or hybrid rocket engines, thrusters, or propulsion subsystems.
• Familiarity with additive manufacturing (3D printing) for propulsion components, including metal printing processes and post‑processing.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, satellite, launch, or high‑rate hardware manufacturing across both military and commercial product lines.
• Experience with vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities such as propulsion, fluid systems, PCBAs, structures, or integrated vehicle production.
• Experience with spacecraft or satellite integration and production.
• Familiarity with classified manufacturing and secure production operations.
• Experience implementing lean or continuous‑improvement frameworks at scale in production environments.
• Experience with automated manufacturing, MES implementation, or production data systems.
• Experience leading organizational change initiatives specific to production environments, including technology implementation, process redesign, and workforce development.
• Experience building and scaling production teams during periods of rapid company growth.
• Master's degree in engineering, operations, business, or a related field.

Compensation

Pay Range: $164,513.00 - $226,205.00

IMPORTANT NOTICE

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. Citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance. The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and illegal drug use.

Application Deadline

This role will remain posted until a qualified pool of candidates is identified.

Elevate Your Career

At Sierra Space, we are committed to your personal and professional development. We empower you to make profound and meaningful contributions and foster a vibrant culture of collaboration, where teamwork ignites breakthrough innovations.

We also offer a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, and more.

Sierra Space is an industry-leading space and defense technology company providing satellites, spacecraft, and enabling mission systems and components. We deliver mission-proven technologies to our customers that safeguard our nation, protect space-based assets and enable space exploration.

Sierra Space Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.