Director, Directed Energy Operations

Worker Type Regular Job Description Summary This role will serve as the senior leader responsible for all directed energy product manufacturing, with end-to-end accountability for transitioning a portfolio of DE products from engineering development into scalable, high-reliability production. Reporting to the VP of Manufacturing for Space, Cyber and Directed Energy Segment at AV, this position will play a critical role in enabling productization, accelerating production readiness, and delivering operational excellence across the directed energy manufacturing portfolio. In addition to strategic leadership, this role has direct responsibility for tactical execution across manufacturing operations, including material planning, supply chain coordination, and quality performance. The leader will ensure day-to-day execution meets cost, schedule, and performance objectives while aligning closely with AV’s Global Operations to adopt and enforce enterprise initiatives, policies, tools, and standardized processes. This role requires a forward-leaning, collaborative leader capable of driving both execution discipline and organizational transformation, ensuring directed energy manufacturing operates with speed, rigor, and scalability in alignment with evolving commercial and national security priorities. Key Responsibilities Lead all aspects of directed energy product manufacturing across a portfolio of products, including production readiness, rate ramp, quality, and delivery performance Own tactical execution across manufacturing operations, including: Material planning and production scheduling Supply chain coordination and input on supplier performance Quality execution, compliance, and defect reduction Daily/weekly operating cadence to ensure commitments are met Drive the transition from engineering development to full-rate production, ensuring design-for-manufacturability, producibility, and cost optimization Partner closely with engineering to mature designs and implement robust build-to-print, configuration control, and production release processes Ensure full compliance with DE manufacturing standards, including IPC J-STD requirements and applicable space addenda, as well as mission assurance and reliability expectations Establish and scale manufacturing processes that meet high-reliability, low-defect, and traceability requirements for DE systems Lead cross-functional coordination across engineering, quality, supply chain, programs, and finance to deliver on cost, schedule, and performance commitments All other relevant duties as assigned Partner with Global Operations to: Ensure alignment to enterprise initiatives, policies, and governance Drive adoption of standard tools and systems, including Oracle Fusion Implement consistent processes, metrics, and reporting across sites Support enterprise-wide continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives Champion lean manufacturing and continuous improvement, improving throughput, reducing cycle time, and optimizing cost structure Build and develop a high-performing organization across manufacturing, material planning, supply chain, and quality functions Align manufacturing strategy with broader company direction to accelerate commercialization and productization, consistent with evolving government and market priorities Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience) Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or related technical or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience 10+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing or operations experience required with minimum 4-6 years of direct managerial experience Strong track record in leading multi-site or complex manufacturing operations in the aerospace, defense, or high-technology industries. Proven experience leading space hardware manufacturing organizations, including responsibility for both strategic leadership and tactical execution Demonstrated success transitioning products from engineering development into production at scale Deep expertise in space manufacturing standards and requirements, including IPC J-STD and applicable space addenda, as well as quality and mission assurance frameworks Strong understanding of material planning, supply chain operations, and quality systems in high-reliability environments Experience operating within complex, regulated environments (defense, aerospace, or DE) Track record of leading cross-functional teams and influencing across engineering, operations, and program organizations Experience implementing or operating within enterprise ERP/MRP systems (e.g., Oracle Fusion or equivalent) Demonstrated ability to drive operational discipline while leading transformation and standardization efforts Collaborative leadership style with ability to work effectively across segment and enterprise (Global Operations) structures Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies Experience with multi-product portfolios Background in high-mix, low-volume manufacturing transitioning to higher-rate production Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI) and production ramp in emerging or rapidly evolving markets Familiarity with commercial directed energy trends and dual-use product strategies Leadership Profile Forward-leaning, action-oriented leader who balances strategy with hands-on execution Strong collaborator who drives alignment across engineering, operations, and Global Operations governance Operates with urgency and accountability while maintaining rigor and quality standards Able to translate enterprise priorities into daily execution and measurable outcomes Committed to building scalable systems, disciplined processes, and high-performing teams Scope & Impact Direct ownership of manufacturing, material planning, supply chain, and quality execution for DE products Critical role in enabling revenue realization, margin expansion, and on-time delive