The Role
Lead cross-functional operations to industrialize space-systems manufacturing: build processes, capacity models, and operational rhythms; coordinate AIT, QA, Supply Chain, Manufacturing Engineering, Facilities, and Test; drive readiness, program execution, and continuous improvement for mid-volume, high-mix production.
Summary Generated by Built In
OW is transitioning from startup mode into an industrialized space-systems manufacturer, and we’re looking for a Director of Industrial Management to help lead that shift. This role works across all Operations functions — AIT, QA, Supply Chain, Manufacturing Engineering, Facilities, and Test — to drive alignment, readiness, and execution for near-term deliveries and long-term scaling.
You’ll partner closely with the VP of Operations and functional leaders to build the processes, capacity models, and operational rhythms that support reliable production and prepare the organization for higher throughput. The ideal candidate brings deep aerospace or avionics manufacturing experience, strong cross-functional leadership, and a talent for turning complex operational challenges into clear, executable plans.
If you’re motivated by enabling teams, improving execution, and helping shape the operational backbone of a growing space company, this role offers meaningful impact and room to grow.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic & Transverse Leadership
- Act as the “chief integrator” across OPS (AIT, QA, Facilities, Supply Chain, Manufacturing Eng, Test Eng), ensuring alignment between daily execution and long-term strategic objectives.
- Translate high-level company milestones into OPS strategies, execution roadmaps, and capacity models.
- Anticipate operational bottlenecks, risks, and resource needs before they materialize, designing mitigation strategies proactively.
- Serve as a trusted deputy to the VP of OPS, able to step in as acting lead when needed.
- Execution & Program Management
- Lead and coordinate operations programs, ensuring all functions deliver to cost, schedule, and quality targets.
- Manage the flow of material, tooling, and workforce capacity to support a high-mix, mid-volume production environment.
- Ensure digital manufacturing and data-driven tools are implemented and adopted effectively across the org.
- Drive “OPS readiness reviews” to ensure facilities, people, materials, and processes are prepared ahead of program needs.
- People & Organizational Development
- Directly manage and grow a small cross-functional OPS program team (planner, project engineer, industrial engineer).
- Coach functional leaders in execution discipline, planning rigor, and continuous improvement.
- Build a culture of accountability, autonomy, and systems thinking across the organization.
- Influence without authority across senior engineering, manufacturing, and corporate teams.
- Continuous Improvement & Scalability
- Deploy lean and digital manufacturing initiatives to reduce cycle time and improve quality.
- Standardize OPS processes and governance mechanisms to enable scale-up of production.
- Champion lessons-learned and post-mortem reviews to drive organizational learning.
Experience - Must Haves
- 12–15+ years in Operations/Manufacturing leadership roles in space, aerospace, avionics, or adjacent high-reliability industries.
- Proven experience in mid-volume, high-mix production environments (satellites, avionics systems, or complex electromechanical hardware).
- Strong background in operational management and planning, and crossfunctional operational leadership.
- Demonstrated success influencing and aligning across multiple technical functions without direct authority.
- Track record of building teams and processes capable of scaling from startup mode to industrialized operations.
Skills & Attributes
- Systems thinker with strong ability to zoom in/out (from floor-level detail to strategic planning).
- Exceptional leadership presence: able to coach, challenge, and inspire across functions.
- Strong command of capacity planning, industrial engineering, and material flow.
- Adept at digital tools and modern manufacturing systems (ERP/MRP, PLM, digital data flows).
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
- Hands on experience in operational crises but able to remain calm, structured, and forward-looking.
Education
- Bachelor’s in Engineering or Operations-related field (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Aerospace).
- Advanced degree (MBA, MSc, or equivalent) preferred.
Orbitworks' mission is to make space simple for organizations that want to deploy physical and virtual missions to space. Building on Loft Orbital's heritage, Orbitworks will be the first commercial firm in the United Arab Emirates to mass-manufacture satellites. Orbitworks aims to manufacture tens of satellites annually and operates out of a 50,000-square-foot facility in Abu Dhabi.
Skills Required
- 12-15+ years in Operations/Manufacturing leadership roles in space, aerospace, avionics, or adjacent high-reliability industries
- Proven experience in mid-volume, high-mix production environments (satellites, avionics systems, complex electromechanical hardware)
- Strong background in operational management, planning, and cross-functional operational leadership
- Demonstrated success influencing and aligning across multiple technical functions without direct authority
- Track record of building teams and processes capable of scaling from startup to industrialized operations
- Systems thinker able to operate at both floor-level detail and strategic planning
- Strong command of capacity planning, industrial engineering, and material flow
- Adept at digital tools and modern manufacturing systems (ERP/MRP, PLM, digital data flows)
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills
- Hands-on experience managing operational crises while remaining calm and structured
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Operations-related field (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Aerospace)
- Advanced degree (MBA, MSc, or equivalent)
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The Company
What We Do
Space Made Simple. We are a true end-to-end service provider letting our customers rapidly deploy and operate their payloads on reliable high-performance satellites at an unprecedented simplicity and affordability.
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