Job Ref: # 7178107
Date Posted: 9/22/2025
Salary (USD): $190,000 - $210,000
Description
Reporting to the Site Leader/GM, the Director of Operations is an aircraft engine MRO subject matter expert who provides strategic direction and day-to-day leadership for a team of roughly 130 direct and indirect employees. As well, the Director of Operations is a continuous improvement-minded leader with hands-on expertise to drive operational excellence across all aspects of the business.
Responsibilities include:
- Collaborate with the Site Leader and senior team to set and achieve ambitious goals across safety, quality, delivery, production, cost, engineering, and key stakeholder objectives.
- Manage operations across components, engine MRO, maintenance, facilities, shipping & receiving, planning & expediting, and training. Effectively lead, support and hold teams accountable to performance metrics/KPIs.
- Oversee the disassembly, repair, and assembly of aero-derivative engines and components, ensuring adherence to FAA regulations and customer requirements.
- Leverage manufacturing experience to maximize revenue and profitability.
- Drive sustainable cost-effectiveness through process management, system optimization, and building high-performing teams.
- Develop and execute innovative initiatives to expand capacity, improve efficiencies and ensure the organization remains future-proof.
- Foster a culture of safety aligned with the company's core values, implementing safety protocols and promoting continuous improvement.
- Drive operational excellence through the application of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles.
- Plan, develop, and execute strategies for staffing and equipment needs. Lead, coach, and develop your team to meet current and future skill requirements.
- Champion the company’s Code of Ethical Standards, setting an exemplary standard for professional conduct and personal accountability.
- Partner with Human Resources, Finance, and Demand Management to ensure accuracy in inventory and data.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Technology/Manufacturing Management, Business, or a related field of study. Master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years managing aerospace industry (to include Military aviation) operations, including experience with AS9100 and FAA repair station regulations.
- Hands-on experience/leadership in gas turbine engine maintenance, repair, testing, and overhaul is required.
- Proven track record of leading and motivating cross-functional teams to achieve ambitious business goals.
- Demonstrated expertise in Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies, with a proven track record of successful implementation in an operational environment.
- Strong Tactical and Strategic Leadership - the right leader is flexible, approachable, engages with the team on the floor, promotes teamwork and training, encourages input for solutions and continuous improvement, recognizes accomplishments, and instills accountability (personal, safety, productivity, quality).
- U.S. Citizen or U.S. Resident (Green Card)
- Able to pass pre-employment background check and drug screen.
The right leader for this role:
- Is accountable and results driven; Has bias for action; Holds self and others accountable: Delivers on time with high quality
- Understands the business, critical success factors, and market tactics and strategies; Plans and prioritizes; Demonstrates critical thinking; Translates strategy into aligned business actions
- Possesses Self Awareness; Authenticity, Integrity, Humility; Demonstrates courage in communication decision making; Delivers clear and respectful feedback; Creates psychological safety in teams; Enables collaborative problem solving
- Possesses interpersonal intelligence and skills; Collaborates up, down, and across to achieve results; Uses informal influence and persuasion; Marshals resources to get things done
- Possesses a growth mindset, learning agility, openness to new ideas; Active listener and probes; respectful of differing thoughts/opinions; Facilitating brainstorming and creative process; Systems awareness – demonstrates systems thinking
Company Description:
Leading global provider of aftermarket parts, repairs, and solutions for the aerospace, energy and defense industries.
Why this opportunity?
There is tremendous room for improvement within Engine MRO operations, and the successful Director of Operations will develop and implement strategies/plans to further increase capacity and efficiency in both Engine MRO and Component Repair operations.
The company's employees are proud, passionate problem-solvers who strive to live the company values every day. This is an opportunity to work with a highly experienced team experts, innovators and problem-solvers (over 50% of the site workforce are former military), work with important technologies, an deliver world-class solutions for high profile customers.
The San Diego operation is a small, talented team with a strong teamwork culture and a diverse range of customers – as a result, it is a more flexible, dynamic and entrepreneurial environment than their competitors. Based on your career goals and performance, there is also tremendous opportunity for advancement and growth – from Director to Site Leader to Region VP, or other leadership roles throughout the company.
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