Operations Analyst Strategy & Ops

Frontdoor Defense; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity plan

Incentive bonus

Paid vacation

Parental leave

Health benefits

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Professional development

Job summary

Frontdoor Defense is seeking a mid-level Operations Analyst to turn production data into actionable insights. You will build models predicting time and cost, unify disparate data sources, and collaborate with Data, AI, and Software teams to operationalize analytics.

The role emphasizes process improvement, shop floor collaboration, and end-to-end ownership from discovery to implementation in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Data Science, Statistics, CS, Operations Research, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Hands-on experience with production data and shop floor execution in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in operations analytics, analytics engineering, data science, or data-intensive manufacturing roles.

Responsibilities

• Develop and validate statistical and ML models correlating process time, staffing, and engineering data to enable granular time and cost prediction.
• Unify equipment, MES, ERP/BOM, staffing, and engineering data into a cohesive data model for pricing, simulation, and factory scaling.
• Define source mappings, metric definitions, and data quality rules; detect anomalies to flag inconsistencies in data inputs.
• Identify operational inefficiencies and implement data-driven process improvements with operations teams.
• Lead cross-functional projects from discovery through ROI justification and implementation.
• Conduct ad hoc analyses supporting pricing, capacity, staffing, and investment decisions.
• Communicate and document data models, methodology, and assumptions for stakeholders.

Skills

Data analysis

Statistical modeling

Machine learning

Python

SQL

Data visualization

Problem solving

Communication

Independent ownership

Cross-functional collaboration

Manufacturing analytics

Shop floor data

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Data Science/Statistics/CS/OR

Tools

Python (pandas, NumPy)

SQL (window functions)

Git

Atlassian Suite

Smartsheet

Job description

Operations Analyst

Build and operationalize data models predicting production time and cost for pricing and planning

Location: Long Beach, California Torrance, California

Compensation: $100,170 - 137,730 USD / year

About The Role

Mid-Level Operations Analyst

We are seeking a mid-level Operations Analyst with a manufacturing analytics focus to turn production data into operational insight and decision tools. This candidate will apply statistical and machine learning methods to production data and help develop models for granular time and cost prediction, unifying factory data sources into a cohesive data model. The analyst will partner with the central Data team to operationalize this data and, where data does not yet exist, partner with cross-functional teams to drive its exposure. The role spans Manufacturing Intelligence workstreams, including process improvement, simulation, equipment connectivity, and factory scaling, as priorities shift.

Join us and help push the boundaries of what can be built.

The Role

• Develop and validate statistical and ML models correlating process time, staffing, and engineering data to enable granular time and cost prediction; initial application in pricing, extending to simulation and factory scaling.
• Unify equipment, MES, ERP/BOM, staffing, and engineering data into a cohesive data model that serves as a shared foundation for pricing, simulation, factory scaling, predictive models, and the team's broader set of tools.
• Define source mappings, metric definitions, and data quality rules, including anomaly detection to flag inconsistencies in data inputs (e.g., work orders); partner with the central Data, AI, and Software teams to operationalize data and software tools.
• Identify operational inefficiencies and implement data-driven process improvements with operations and automation teams, validating data against shop floor conditions.
• Lead cross-functional projects from discovery and requirements through prototyping, business case and ROI justification, and implementation.
• Conduct ad hoc and scenario analyses supporting pricing, capacity, staffing, and investment decisions.
• Communicate and document data models, methodology, and assumptions for technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Basic Qualifications

• Ability to lawfully access information and technology that is subject to US export controls
• Bachelor's or Master's in Data Science, Statistics, CS, Operations Research, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• Demonstrated experience in operations analytics, analytics engineering, data science, or data-intensive manufacturing roles
• Hands‑on experience with production data and shop floor execution in a manufacturing environment, including work orders, BOMs, routings, and production scheduling
• Python: pandas, NumPy, scikit‑learn, statsmodels, matplotlib/Plotly; data extraction, API integration, task automation
• SQL: complex joins, window functions, CTEs; relational data modeling; cleaning and validation of high-volume operational and time-series data
• Applied statistics and supervised ML: hypothesis testing, regression, classification, tree‑based ensembles; feature engineering, cross‑validation, model evaluation; anomaly detection for input data validation
• Manufacturing operational metrics (cycle time, yield, throughput, utilization, OEE, WIP)
• Git; documented, reproducible code
• Integration of AI tools into daily workflow
• Independent project ownership and management: scoping, requirements gathering, timelines, dependencies, and stakeholder alignment without prescriptive direction
• Translation of ambiguous business problems into structured problem statements and analytical approaches
• Communication of technical concepts and model outputs as decision‑ready recommendations for non‑technical stakeholders
• Iterative, prototype‑first delivery and MVP prioritization
• Direct engagement with shop floor personnel for requirements, data validation, and implementation
• Execution across concurrent workstreams in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Microsoft Fabric or equivalent lakehouse platforms (Databricks, Snowflake): navigation and data extraction
• MES/ERP data structures (work orders, routings, BOMs, genealogy, NCRs)
• Equipment data flows, IIoT protocols, and time‑series data (OPC‑UA, MTConnect, MQTT, historians)
• Discrete‑event simulation (SimPy, AnyLogic) and optimization methods (LP/MIP, OR-Tools)
• Additive manufacturing and metal process chains (LPBF, heat treatment, CNC machining, CMM/CT inspection)
• Engineering drawings, GD&T, and CAD
• Cost accounting, pricing, and financial modeling (unit economics, margin, ROI)
• Lean and continuous improvement methods (Six Sigma, DMAIC, process mapping) and shop floor change management
• Project management tooling (Atlassian Suite, Smartsheet) and Agile methods
• Technical knowledge transfer and mentorship
• Start-up, consulting, or similar high‑growth environment

Work Environment

• Office: Desk work, programming, and design tasks.
• Shop floor: Machine operation, handling parts, exposure to high noise levels, machine electrical systems, and varying temperature conditions.

Pay Range $100,170 —$137,730 USD

What We Offer:

• Holistic Compensation Package: Enjoy a world‑class compensation package that includes a competitive salary, equity plan, and discretionary results‑based incentive bonus opportunities, ensuring you're truly valued for your contributions.
• Wellness and Time Off: Embrace a healthy lifestyle with paid vacation, sick time, and company holidays, including a year‑end shutdown to recharge. We support growing families with paid parental leave, recognizing the importance of bonding time.
• Comprehensive Health and Wellness: Prioritize your well‑being with our comprehensive health and wellness benefits, offering both HMO and Premium PPO options. Additionally, benefit from company‑sponsored life insurance and short and long‑term disability coverage for peace of mind.
• Investment in Growth: We're committed to your professional development. Take advantage of reimbursement opportunities for learning and development initiatives, empowering you to continuously expand your skill set and reach peak performance.
• Collaborative and High‑Performing Environment: Join our collaborative, dynamic, and high‑performing team within a fast‑paced, mission‑driven company. Together, we're disrupting the traditional manufacturing industry, fostering innovation, and integrating people and technology to reduce our footprint.

Equal Employment Opportunity Divergent is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected characteristic. Divergent provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act. EEO Poster

In order to adjust to changes in our business, it may become necessary to add, remove or modify certain duties and responsibilities, or to reassign you to another job position. From time to time you may be asked to work on special projects or to assist with other work. Your cooperation and assistance in performing such additional work is expected. E-Verify: Right to Work Our company participates in E-Verify . E-Verify is a program that electronically confirms a candidate's eligibility to work in the United States after completing the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9). The information provided on the Form I-9 is compared to the records contained in the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) databases. This helps employers verify the identity and employment eligibility of newly hired employees. Eligibility to Work Poster (English) | Eligibility to Work Poster (Spanish) Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO)Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO), we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.