Site Manager

Karman Space & Defense; Mukilteo (WA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Karman Space & Defense seeks an experienced Site Manager for its Mukilteo facility. You will own the P&L, oversee programs, operations, and organizational health, and partner with Directors to drive growth and operational excellence.

Responsibilities include delivering on-time, zero-defect production, implementing Lean/continuous improvement, optimizing facility utilization, and building a strong internal talent pipeline to support 20% year-over-year growth.

Qualifications

• BS degree in a relevant technical field.
• 15+ years in aerospace/defense operations or manufacturing.
• Proven ability to drive growth and optimize operations.
• AS9100 compliance expertise.
• Lean Six Sigma or Kaizen with measurable results.
• ERP experience including integration and implementation.
• P&L management experience.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams in high-precision environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead overall site operations to ensure on-time, zero-defect delivery with strong margins and sustained production flow.
• Implement standardized processes, Lean/continuous improvement practices, and strong KPIs to increase efficiency and reduce variation.
• Optimize facility utilization, product flow, and ERP system performance to improve planning, visibility, and throughput.
• Establish and manage operational metrics for machine utilization, labor productivity, profitability, and overall site performance.
• Champion change across the organization through clear communication and collaboration.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers and suppliers through proactive communication and negotiation.
• Partner with HR to hire, develop, and retain qualified personnel, building a strong internal talent pipeline.
• Lead growth initiatives by developing a robust sales and business development pipeline, supporting 20% YoY growth.

Skills

Leadership

P&L management

Lean Six Sigma

Program/Operations management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical/Aerospace/Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

ERP systems

Kaizen/Lean

Aerospace manufacturing tools

Job description

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War's core mission priorities and meet our nation's accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

We are seeking an experienced, proactive Site Manager to lead our Mukilteo engineering and manufacturing facility. In this role, you will oversee all aspects of site performance, including programs, operations, and overall organizational health, to ensure we deliver exceptional results and continue to grow.

This position reports to the Vice President and General Manager of Defense.

As the Site Manager, you will own the P&L for the Mukilteo site's program portfolio and serve as a key leader driving execution, alignment, and continuous improvement. You will work closely with our Directors of Engineering, Programs, Operations, and Business Development to strengthen collaboration, optimize site operations, and support strategic growth initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead overall site operations to ensure consistent on-time, zero-defect delivery with strong margins and sustained production flow.
• Implement standardized processes, Lean/continuous improvement practices, and strong KPIs to increase efficiency, reduce variation, and drive operational excellence.
• Optimize facility utilization, product flow, and ERP system performance to improve planning, visibility, and throughput.
• Establish and manage operational metrics for machine utilization, labor productivity, profitability, and overall site performance.
• Champion change across the organization through clear communication, effective collaboration, and adoption of operational best practices.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers and suppliers through proactive communication, issue resolution, and effective negotiation.
• Partner with HR to hire, develop, and retain qualified personnel, building a strong internal talent pipeline aligned with current and future site needs.
• Lead growth initiatives by developing a robust sales and business development pipeline, capturing new customers and programs, and supporting the site's goal of 20% year-over-year growth.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant technical field such as Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or Manufacturing Engineering.
• At least 15 years of experience in midsize to large aerospace and defense engineering or manufacturing organizations.
• Proven ability to drive and sustain operational growth.
• AS9100 compliance expertise.
• Proven operations efficiency expertise, including Lean Six Sigma or Kaizen, with demonstrated success driving operational excellence.
• ERP experience, including system integration and implementation.
• P&L management experience.
• Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary teams and managing complex operations in high-precision, regulated environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Background in program execution and operations within Space, Missile, Defense, or Hypersonic environments.
• Experience in operations and business development.
• Experience working with high-temperature composites, propulsion, or ablatives.
• Secret Clearance.
• Experience with AI utilization and implementation within operations and manufacturing.

Special Mentions

• Must be based in, or willing to relocate to, the greater Seattle area.

This position requires U.S. person status under U.S. export control laws, including U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees.

Karman Space & Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Karman is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis ("protected class") including, but not limited to race; color; religion; genetic information; national origin; sex; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; age; disability; citizenship status; uniform servicemember status; or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law. Our management is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, recruitment advertising, pay, and other forms of compensation, training, and general treatment during employment.