Director, Program Operations & NPI

$153,308 - $217,140/Yr

Aerovironment - Simi Valley, CA

Full-time - Senior

Simi Valley, CA

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

The Director of Program Operations and NPI at AeroVironment is a strategic leadership role focused on overseeing the New Product Development (NPD) and New Product Introduction (NPI) within the aerospace sector. This position requires extensive experience in aerospace manufacturing and program management, with a strong emphasis on operational excellence and team leadership. The successful candidate will be responsible for guiding multiple programs from development to production readiness, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and leadership to program operations, manufacturing, quality, test, tooling, supply chain, design, and development teams.
• Develop and implement operational plans, policies, and procedures to enhance efficiency and productivity.
• Establish strategies to achieve operational objectives for various metrics while maintaining budgetary goals.
• Continuously evaluate operational processes for new product introduction and implement initiatives for improvement.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence throughout the teams.
• Mentor and develop team members, identifying training needs and providing growth opportunities.
• Accountable for the successful strategy, planning, and execution of new product maturation and transition to production.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor operational performance and analyze performance data.
• Identify operational risks and develop strategies to mitigate them.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure operational alignment with organizational objectives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing, operations, or program management, with 5 years in a leadership role.
• In-depth knowledge of aerospace production processes, materials, and quality control standards.
• Proven leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate a diverse team.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make quick, effective decisions.
• Experience in planning and executing large, complex programs with budget and schedule adherence.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in program and project management and experience with operations systems.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in developing and maintaining internal and external professional relationships.
• Ability to inspire and motivate teams to achieve organizational goals.
• Experience in championing change and promoting a culture of quick adaptation.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401K with company matching
• 9/80 work schedule
• Paid holiday shutdown