Senior Space Systems Operations Lead

Astrion; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Astrion is seeking a Senior General Operations Manager in El Segundo, CA to lead day-to-day SETA contract operations for SSC/SN. You will oversee staffing, deliverables, and performance while engaging government stakeholders and engineering teams.

The role requires DoD experience, a strong background in operations management, and the ability to drive processes in a fast-paced government-contractor environment. A DoD clearance is preferred and a Master’s is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, Engineering, Operations, or a related discipline.
• 15+ years of experience in operations management, program management, contract management in aerospace/defense/SETA.
• 5+ years supervising multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Experience with DoD/Space Force/AF or federal acquisition programs.
• Experience managing contract operations, staffing, deliverables, schedules, risks, and metrics.
• Strong understanding of processes, workforce planning, quality management, and operational execution.
• Proven ability to lead teams, resolve conflicts, and communicate with senior leaders.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced government-contractor environment.
• Active DoD Secret clearance or ability to obtain one.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily SETA contract operations in accordance with the PWS, contract requirements, and customer priorities.
• Primary point of contact for government stakeholders, contract leadership, task leads, and supported engineering teams.
• Coordinate staffing, onboarding, workforce planning, workload distribution, leave coverage, and employee performance.
• Supervise and mentor personnel across engineering, program management, logistics, cybersecurity, mission assurance, and technical disciplines.
• Establish and maintain operational processes for task management, deliverable tracking, quality control, issue resolution, and customer communication.
• Monitor contract performance, staffing levels, labor utilization, schedule status, risks, and KPIs.
• Lead recurring status meetings, operational reviews, staff meetings, and customer engagements.
• Coordinate responses to government tasking, data calls, action items, and executive-level requirements.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and compliant delivery of reports, briefings, technical products, and contract deliverables.
• Support integrated master schedule reviews, risk management, dependency tracking, corrective-action planning, and readiness assessments.
• Identify operational challenges and develop Courses of Action to resolve staffing, schedule, performance, resource, and communication issues.
• Maintain relationships with SSC/SN leadership, program offices, mission partners, contractors, and stakeholders.
• Support proposal activities, workforce transitions, recruiting, retention, and growth initiatives.
• Ensure personnel comply with policies, security requirements, and contract obligations.
• Promote collaboration, accountability, and a customer-focused team culture.

Skills

Operational leadership

Program management

Staffing

Customer engagement

Quality control

Performance management

Cross-functional collaboration

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Admin/Management/Engineering/Operations

Master's degree in Business/Engineering/Management

Tools

Jira

Confluence

SharePoint

Job description

Astrion is seeking a Senior General Operations Manager in El Segundo, CA to lead day-to-day SETA contract operations for SSC/SN. You will oversee staffing, deliverables, and performance while engaging government stakeholders and engineering teams.

The role requires DoD experience, a strong background in operations management, and the ability to drive processes in a fast-paced government-contractor environment. A DoD clearance is preferred and a Master’s is a plus.