Sr Director, Global Operations Leader

DY4 Curtiss-Wright DS, Inc.; Ashburn (VA); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 275,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

401K with employer match

Health and wellness benefits

Learning and development opportunities

Referral program

Employee stock purchase plan

Inclusive & supportive culture

Job summary

Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions seeks a Sr Director, Global Operations Leader to oversee and optimize manufacturing, supply chain, quality, planning and NPI across global sites. You will drive excellence in operations, compliance, and performance for mission-critical defense systems.

You will report to senior leadership, shaping long-range strategies for a multi-hundred-million-dollar organization, leading a matrix team, and advancing Lean, regulatory and risk-management programs to sustain

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field.
• 15+ years of leadership experience in global operations (A&D).
• Understanding of defense acquisition frameworks and export controls (ITAR, EAR).
• Proven track record managing regulated production environments and large-scale transformations.
• Experience with ERP and business systems integration (SAP/Oracle/Deltek Costpoint/Teamcenter).
• Familiarity with FAA/DoD/NASA or equivalent standards and security clearances.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a global operations team within a matrix structure.
• Oversee global production, logistics, and facility operations to meet schedule and cost targets.
• Drive operational strategies aligned with program execution and customer requirements (govt contracts).
• Champion integrity, safety, compliance, and continuous improvement across operations.
• Direct global supply chain activities including strategic sourcing and supplier management.
• Lead NPI and ramp-up across global sites with engineering and R&D partners.

Skills

Global operations leadership

Aerospace & defense

Lean Six Sigma

Supply chain management

Regulatory compliance

ERP integration

Program management

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Deltek Costpoint

Teamcenter

Job description

Sr Director, Global Operations Leader

Curtiss-Wright is seeking a highly experienced Global Operations Leader to oversee and drive excellence within our Defense Electronics segment across Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Planning and New Product Introduction functions. This Leadership role is pivotal to ensuring the integrity, efficiency, and compliance of our mission-critical manufacturing and delivery processes on a global scale.

LOCATION: Remote/Hybrid (Prefer US East Coast proximity to one of the CW Defense facilities)

Salary Range: $200,000 - $275,000 plus bonus opportunities

Please note that the salary range information provided is a general guideline only. Criteria such as the candidate’s qualifications and relevant experience, the scope of the specific position, as well as market and business considerations will be evaluated when extending an offer.

BENEFITS:

• Paid Time Off
• 401K with Employer Match and Profit Sharing
• Health and Wellness Benefits
• Learning and Development Opportunities
• Referral Program
• Competitive Pay
• Recognition
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Inclusive & Supportive Culture

YOUR CHALLENGE:

Reporting to the SVP/GM of Defense Solutions, you will have the opportunity to take on a high-impact, mission-critical role with the opportunity to shape the operational backbone of a global leader in the Aerospace & Defense industry. Ou will drive the long-range strategic planning process for operations in a global organization in excess of $500m revenue as part of a shared services/center of excellence model. Directs the management of all manufacturing operations, including manufacturing itself, production control, product engineering, manufacturing engineering, equipment engineering, inventory control, potential materials functions, such as purchasing, and shipping/receiving activities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Global Operations Management Build and lead a high-performing global operations team, within a matrix structure of business units, with a focus on technical excellence, accountability, and continuous development.
• Lead global production, logistics, and facility operations to ensure delivery of complex aerospace and defense systems on time, within budget, and to spec.
• Drive operational strategies that align with program execution and customer requirements, including government and military contracts.
• Champion a culture of integrity, safety, compliance, and innovation.
• Supply Chain & Procurement Direct global supply chain activities including strategic sourcing, supplier risk management, logistics, and lifecycle sustainment planning.
• Develop and maintain supplier relationships with a focus on long-term partnerships, resilience, cost containment, and technology readiness.
• Quality & Regulatory Compliance Ensure compliance with industry and regulatory standards such as AS9100, ISO 9001, ITAR, and DFARS.
• Lead and oversee quality management systems to maintain product reliability and customer trust.
• Embed a culture of continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, and root cause analysis tools.
• New Product Introduction Develop and implement scalable manufacturing strategies to support rapid and successful ramp-up of new products across global sites.
• Partner closely with R&D, engineering, supply chain, quality, and regional operations teams to ensure seamless product transitions from development to volume production.
• Manage risk assessment and mitigation plans related to NPI, including supply chain constraints, capacity planning, and quality controls.
• Cross-Functional & Program Alignment Partner with engineering, program management, contracts, and finance teams to ensure alignment of operational capabilities with customer and program needs.
• Support the capture and execution of new business by contributing to proposal development, capacity planning, and capability presentations.
• Performance & Risk Management Define and manage KPIs related to quality, delivery, cost, compliance, and efficiency.
• Identify and mitigate operational risks, including geopolitical, cybersecurity, and supply chain disruptions.

WHAT YOU BRING:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or related field (Master’s degree or MBA preferred).
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in global operations within the Aerospace & Defense industry.
• Understanding of defense acquisition frameworks and export compliance (e.g., ITAR, EAR).
• Proven track record in managing complex supply chains, regulated production environments, and large-scale transformation initiatives.
• Experience in ERP and business systems integration (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Deltek Costpoint, Teamcenter).
• Strong familiarity with FAA, DoD, NASA, or other regulatory agency standards and expectations.
• Security clearance (or ability to obtain) may be required depending on business unit focus.

Preferred Certifications:

• PMP or Program Management credentials
• APICS CPIM/CSCP
• Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt

WHO WE ARE:

Our Values Environmental, Social and Governance At Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions, we have a long and rich history as the trusted, proven leader in rugged, reliable, and secure solutions for the defense and commercial aerospace industries. Our employees are the foundation of that success.

To learn more, please visit us: https://www.curtisswrightds.com/

#LI-AC1 #LI-REMOTE #LI-HYBRID

Compliance Statement:

This position may require exposure to export-controlled information and subject to additional security screening. In the event information provided during the security screening reveals ineligibility to access export-controlled information, any offer of employment may be reconsidered or withdrawn.

Curtiss-Wright is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, age, ancestry, legally protected medical condition, family care status, marital status, religion, veteran status, national origin, or any other legally protected status.

If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Talent Acquisition.

If you require accommodation due to a disability at any time during the recruitment and/or assessment process, please contact Talent Acquisition and we will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate your request.

Join the WRIGHT Team!

Over 95 years of growth, Curtiss-Wright is an integrated, market-facing global diversified industrial company and remains a technology leader through this legacy of innovation. Through three well-balanced segments – Aerospace & Industrial, Defense Electronics and Naval & Power, we remain focused on advanced technologies for high performance platforms and critical applications.

Diversity, commitment to excellence and dedication to the spirit of pioneering innovation continue to drive the employees of Curtiss-Wright.

Our Values

Leadership We lead based on vision and strategic direction, empowering employees to reach goals through thoughtful and decisive action.

Customer Focus We are committed to achieving total quality by meeting our customers’ expectations and delivering products and services in a timely fashion.

Teamwork & Trust Working in a spirit of trust and collaboration, we actively encourage employees to contribute their ideas and innovations to keep our company moving forward.

Respect for People We believe that people are our most valuable asset and will always do the right thing in our dealings and interactions with all employees.

Integrity We will act with the highest integrity in all of our business relationships and strategic partnerships.

What We Offer Our Employees

• Opportunity: As part of the Curtiss-Wright team, you have the opportunity each day to transform the way customers do business, as well as transform your career. Our entrepreneurial environment provides you with excellent experiences that enable you to develop your skills through stretch assignments and the opportunity to work with the best talent in the industry. You will have the opportunity to contribute from day one!
• Challenging Work: The work we do here is not only challenging, but it is meaningful to our customers, our employees and the communities in which they live and work. You are given the chance to work on some of the most advanced technology projects in the world. Now that something to be proud of!
• Collaborative Environment: The teamwork among our exceptionally talented people enables us to deliver some of the most advanced solutions to our customers.