Director of Business Operations

Eras of humanity can often be defined by a dominant transportation mode - horse-drawn chariots, ocean-going boats, or aircraft. These were spurred by a small group of people rigorously focused on building technology to achieve faster access to more of the world.  We seek to usher in a new era of humanity defined by universal access to the whole globe, free of borders and the presence of a routine way from space to Earth. To do this, we are building highly maneuverable re-entry vehicles that can loiter in orbit before precision landing back on Earth. 

Key Responsibilities: 

As Director of Business Operations, you will be the architect and driver of the operational systems, processes, and infrastructure that enable the company to scale from a lean team to a larger organization. You will partner with the executive team to shape and execute the strategy for scaling a high-growth startup without sacrificing speed, agility, or culture. 

Your work will directly influence our ability to execute on ambitious technical milestones, attract and retain exceptional talent, and navigate the complexities of hardware and defense manufacturing at scale. 

Strategic Scaling & Operational Infrastructure 

• Design, implement, and continuously improve company-wide operational systems, policies, and processes that support rapid headcount and revenue growth. 
• Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and executive team on company-wide planning, budgeting, and decision-making. 

Vendor, Supply Chain & Contract Management 

• Develop and own a vendor strategy that supports both short-term project needs and long-term scalability, from tooling suppliers to SaaS, insurance, and logistics. 
• Negotiate high-value, multi-year contracts, ensuring cost efficiency and risk mitigation. 
• Implement procurement and approval workflows designed for scale and audit-readiness. 

Regulatory, Compliance & Risk Management 

• Own all regulatory and compliance programs, including ITAR/EAR, federal/state/local licenses, and defense-related certifications. 
• Build robust compliance systems to ensure zero lapses in filings, renewals, or certifications. 
• Partner with legal and external advisors to navigate the unique requirements of hardware, defense, and space sectors. 

Facilities & General Administration 

• Oversee multi-site operations (currently ~30,000 sq. ft. across HQ and test facilities), including lease negotiations, expansion planning, and workplace optimization. 
• Own operational dashboards and reporting so leadership has real-time insight into KPIs and resource allocation. 

Required Qualifications 

• Typically, 10-12+ years of experience in business operations, strategy, or consulting; ideally with time in aerospace, defense, or deep tech startups 
• Strong background in leading cross-functional projects across engineering, manufacturing, and commercial teams 
• Familiarity with government contracts (e.g., DoD, NASA, SBIR/STTR) and experience supporting compliance and reporting 
• Proven ability to build scalable systems, workflows, and internal processes that support growth and operational rigor 
• Comfortable owning company-wide planning cycles, OKRs, and business performance tracking 
• Skilled in using data to drive decisions — able to build dashboards, track KPIs, and support resource planning 
• Experience supporting proposal development, milestone tracking, and internal coordination for government programs 
• Strong communicator — able to align technical and non-technical stakeholders, including execs and external partners 
• Operates well in ambiguity — proactive, hands-on, and able to scale structure ahead of growth 
• Passion for aerospace and motivated by the complexity and impact of working in regulated, mission-driven environments 

Preferred Qualifications 

• MBA or equivalent advanced degree in business, operations, or a related field.

The California annual base salary for this role is currently $150,000-180,000.  Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data.  Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education and experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.