Sr Director, Global Operations Leader

Curtiss-Wright Corporation; Pennsylvania; Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 275,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

401K with Employer Match and Profit Sh

Health and Wellness Benefits

Learning and Development Opportunities

Referral Program

Competitive Pay

Recognition

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Inclusive & Supportive Culture

Job summary

Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions is seeking a seasoned Global Operations Leader to direct manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and NPI across a global organization with over $500m in revenue. The role emphasizes strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver complex defense systems on time and within budget.

The ideal candidate will have deep experience in aerospace/defense, strong ERP proficiency, and a proven track record of transforming global

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or related field.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in global operations within Aerospace & Defense.
• Understanding of defense acquisition frameworks and export compliance (ITAR, EAR).
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead global operations management across manufacturing, planning, and supply chain.
• Oversee procurement, logistics, and lifecycle sustainment planning.
• Ensure quality and regulatory compliance (AS9100, ISO 9001, ITAR, DFARS).
• Drive NPI manufacturing strategies and ramp-up across global sites.
• Align operations with engineering, program management, contracts, and finance.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering / related field

Master’s degree or MBA preferred

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Deltek Costpoint

Teamcenter

Job description

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.

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

We Take Care of Our People

• 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/

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.

For US Applicants: EEO is The Law – click here for more information.

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.