Build Operations Lead

Our Build Operations team consists of hard-working professionals who put energy, effort, and excellence into every task. Their quality of work is the best in the world and all tasks are treated with precision and criticality. Success in this role requires a willingness and desire to learn, hands-on mechanical experience, and an “attention to detail” mindset.

As a Build Ops Lead, you will supervise, motivate, and grow a high performing team of propulsion technicians. We are searching for an experienced, quick-learning aerospace professional to support component manufacturing, subassembly, and final assembly for liquid rocket engine products and test equipment. This person must be capable of operating and leading in a dynamic environment and balancing competing priorities to accomplish goals and get things done. You should expect a large amount of collaboration with several Engineering and Manufacturing disciplines supporting both production and development programs.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and motivate a team of Propulsion Technicians to technical excellence in both the development and production of propulsion hardware.
• Establish a culture of Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC), in that order.
• Create and maintain the 5S Standard Work to ensure work center cleanliness and organization. Conduct regular self-inspections and assessments to ensure that the manufacturing floor is ALWAYS ready for an outside inspection, regulatory audit, or high-profile tour.
• Create and regularly update the Technician Training Matrix. Ensure that each Technician has a growth plan that aligns to business needs for cross-training and personal strengths.
• Recruit, interview, hire, onboard and train new Propulsion Technician talent.
• Set expectations and review performance in regular 1:1 meetings and formal performance evaluations.
• Lead the Daily Stand Up for the Liquids Propulsion Tech team. Establish relevant content, SQDC metrics, and schedules to align the team on planned work for each day.
• Collect issues on the build floor and escalate action items to your support team, specifying WHO does WHAT by WHEN to ensure Build Operations executes each assigned task and completes each goal.
• Collaborate with Material Planning to balance Product Team needs with available capacity then establish daily & weekly build schedules to execute.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to optimize and continually improve assembly processes, work instructions, tooling, fixturing and material handling.
• Support engineering and other teams with development projects as required.
• Own the completion of annual and quarterly Objectives and Key Results for the Liquids Build Operations department.

Required Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in hardware manufacturing.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and grow a high performing team of technicians.
• Ability to quickly detect, contain, and resolve manufacturing issues.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, up and down the chain of command
• Knowledge of pressure, temperature, torque, and flow measurement devices
• Ability to track, report on, and improve manufacturing KPIs such as On Time Delivery and Cost of Poor Quality

Desired Experience:

• Experience operating within a certified & audited Quality Management System, specifically AS9100 or ISO9001
• Formal training and experience with Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma operating systems
• Experience with high-precision aerospace or defense hardware assembly

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $100,000 - $120,000, determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. What we can’t quantify for you are the exciting challenges, supportive team, and amazing culture we enjoy. Click here for more information about our awesome benefits.

Classification: Full-time Exempt