Directing the large-scale aircraft integration and production organization at the Centennial campus is the core of this role. The Director of Operations leads the delivery of high-performance, mission-ready aircraft for the company's Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) and aviation portfolio. This position suits a leader with deep experience in managing production organizations, preferably within aviation, aerospace, defense, or complex integration environments.
Responsibilities
Lead all aircraft production, integration, modification, and maintenance operations at Centennial, ensuring daily readiness and execution across structures, avionics, A&P, and engineering support teams
Drive a unified “one-team” operational culture across hangars, ensuring consistent expectations, cross-program alignment, and rapid reprioritization when schedules, engineering changes, or customer demands shift
Ensure production discipline, accurate status reporting, and risk management for all active builds and modifications
Oversee material readiness, kitting accuracy, BOM quality, and pre-execution checks to reduce recurring constraints
Partner with Engineering, Quality, Safety, Supply Chain, and Program Management to maintain stable workflow and remove barriers affecting production throughput
Ensure technicians have clear direction, stable priorities, and effective floor leadership presence throughout the day
Lead and develop operations managers, production supervisors, and technicians through mentoring, accountability, coaching, and structured development plans
Build leadership consistency across hangars, strengthening communication, decision-making, and execution pressure handling
Support succession planning, talent identification, and cross-functional upskilling such as A&P mentoring, IPC training, and technical certification paths
Maintain strict adherence to EHS standards and Aviation Safety requirements, ensuring daily safe-work practices and continuous improvement across the hangar floor
Partner with Quality on escapes, MRB activity, CARs, and corrective actions
Drive operational strategy for new aircraft induction, stand-up readiness, and future capacity planning
Support Business Development with credible input on production planning, staff availability, technician skill match, facility readiness, and integration capabilities
Align Centennial operations with enterprise schedule, cost, and performance objectives
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Aviation, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience); without a degree, 17+ years of relevant experience required
Minimum 13+ years of relevant experience, with 6+ years leading production operations teams
Millions of jobs, with real people getting hired every day
200,000+
New jobs added daily
7,000,000+
Verified job listings
1,000,000+
Tailored applications submitted
Aviation production or aircraft integration leadership experience
Proven experience running aircraft production, modification, integration organizations, including supervision of people leaders and shop-floor accountability
Proven leadership abilities that demonstrate successful change management, mentoring, career development, training, communication, succession planning, holding people accountable and conducting annual reviews
Proven experience and skills in team building, time management, conflict resolution, briefing, presentation and strategic thinking
Strong communication skills, including the ability to clearly express concepts in verbal and written forms
Demonstrated exceptional experience in working with internal and external customers
Strong understanding of structures, avionics, A&P operations, aerospace manufacturing, and integration workflows
Demonstrated ability to interpret technical data (schematics, wiring diagrams, engineering documents, manuals and/or publications)
Experience with material readiness, kitting processes, logistics, warehousing, and ERP systems
Background in EHS compliance, aviation safety, and regulated environments
Ability to work on a computer for the majority of the work shift
Hand/finger dexterity for data entry and document handling
Ability to lift up to 25 lbs occasionally
Ability to stand or walk for extended periods
Ability to travel occasionally as required
Ability to work in an office or hybrid environment
Ability to read detailed technical documents and computer screens
Ability to inspect equipment and facilities, potentially in different lighting conditions
Ability to maintain composure and effectiveness in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
Nice to have:
Master’s degree or advanced technical/manufacturing education
Professional certifications: CPIM, PMP, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
Experience in ISR, aviation, aerospace, defense, or Department of Defense environments
Demonstrated success leading multi-hangar or multi-location operations in high-tempo environments
Ability to manage complex priorities, influence senior leaders, and communicate with executive presence
Benefits
Annual incentive pay based upon performance
Generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans
401(k) with 150% match up to 6%
Life insurance
3 weeks paid time off
Tuition reimbursement
Important Details
Application deadline: This posting will be open for application for a minimum of 5 days and may be extended based on business needs
Security Clearance
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret U.S. Security Clearance
U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment
Non-U.S. Citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance
About the Company
SNC is a global leader in aerospace and national security committed to moving the American Dream forward. The company is known and respected for its mission and execution focus, agility, and disruptive and rapid innovation. It provides leading edge technologies and transformative solutions that support the nation’s most critical security needs. The ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance), Aviation, and Security (IAS) business area is a leader in ISR and aviation, and a leading prime manned and unmanned aircraft systems integrator for innovative, high-performance ISR and aviation systems. Its end-to-end Command, Control, Computers, Communications and Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities encompass design, integration, test, certification, ground/flight training and complete logistics support. IAS tailors solutions to customer cost, performance, and schedule requirements and designs to consistently exceed expectations – with an unrivaled record of on time and on (or under) budget deliveries.
