Director, Propulsion and Fluids Manufacturing

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE

Come be a part of the 21st Century Space Race. At Firefly, we are focused on the leading edge of space systems progression. Our company is committed to providing economical and convenient access to space for small payloads through the design, manufacture, and operation of reliable launch vehicles and spacecraft. To get there, we are looking for incredibly passionate, bright, and determined people to join our team.

SUMMARY

As Firefly�s Director of Propulsion and Fluids Manufacturing, you will leverage your previously demonstrated ability to successfully manage operations ensuring the Safety, Quality, Delivery, Productivity and Cash performance of the team meets our customers� and company�s objectives.  This includes the development and execution of make vs buy strategy of applicable components and assemblies in collaboration with other key stakeholders, e.g. programs, engineering, finance, etc.  It also entails the daily tactical execution and capacity planning to achieve the production delivery goals e.g. Alpha, as well as NPI (New Product Introduction) programs goals, e.g. MLV (Medium Launch Vehicle) and Blue Ghost (spacecraft).  Continuous improvement is a core value to our company and our operations.  Leading the Propulsion and Fluids Manufacturing team�s efforts to drive improvements throughout the applicable business processes and operations is paramount to our success.

The ideal candidate for this position will be an individual with high energy and the ability to energize others coupled with a strong Operations leadership background fostering a collaborative, learning and success-oriented team thriving in an innovative and fast-paced Aerospace production environment.   

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establish and mature safety, quality and performance as core tenets of the Propulsion and Fluids Manufacturing operations.  Ensure the culture of our operations starts and ends with the absolute requirement that we keep our team, our products and our customer payloads safe.
• Provide inspiring leadership of the Propulsion and Fluids Manufacturing organization, instilling a culture of strong team engagement, cross-functional collaboration, and focused execution to achieve the objectives of our customers and the company. 
• Be responsible for the manufacturing of applicable components, sub-assemblies and engines needed for launch vehicle and spacecraft programs.  This includes the strategic and tactical execution transitioning from an R&D environment to low-rate and eventual full-production rate cadence of applicable components and assemblies. Partner with the Integration and Test teams to drive strong quality performance including engine test FTY (First Time Yield).
• Implement standard metrics aligned with other operations (e.g. Composites, Machine shop, Integration, etc.) for a consistent approach measuring daily/weekly/monthly/etc. performance of safety, quality, delivery, cost, cash with engagement rhythms that include technicians and support team members for strong communications and coordinated execution.
• Execute lean production methodologies to achieve required rate, efficiency and cost objectives.  Partner with Continuous Improvement team and others to drive coordinated efforts and achieve goals.
• Collaborate with programs, supply chain and others leveraging external resources as applicable to meet capacity needs, e.g. raw material providers as well as farm-out sources.
• Create project plans, integrated master schedules, and budgets for internal production and development programs.
• Work with engineering, programs, supply chain, finance and other teams to implement improvements and deliver on the associated vehicle cost reduction objectives.
• Establish training procedures, skillset matrices, talent/career growth roadmaps within the Propulsion and Fluids Manufacturing organization and communicate this with the team to provide clear growth opportunities (employee value-proposition) and transparent means to visualize org breadth and depth, gaps, and action plans to improve.
• Closely coordinate and build relationships with all technical and support departments strengthening communications, collaboration, and effective workflows to achieve company success.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Strong track record of leadership experience managing a diverse, high-performing production team with ability to coordinate and motivate production teams toward a common vision and set of deliverables. Capable of growing the team�s capabilities and aligning them with both the company�s objectives and those of the employees. Creates an environment of learning which is open to input, collaborative, and driven to deliver success.
• Bachelor of Science in Operations Management, Mechanical Engineering, or similar program or organizational management fields.
• 10+ years of industry experience in R&D, low and medium to high-rate production operations.  Experience with Space Systems is a plus, but not required.
• Proven ability to utilize lean and other continuous improvement methodologies to drive strong operational performance in EHS, Quality, Delivery, Cost and Cash.
• Strong track record of establishing strategy, metrics, KPIs and operating rhythms to drive successful operational execution in both NPI and production phases of the product life cycle.
• Possesses the technical background to sufficiently understand the details of products and processes vital to the successful operational execution of the Propulsion and Fluids manufacturing and testing of Firefly�s products.
• Well-versed in ERP production systems and business processes that are core to the overall company�s success and able to structure key metrics and KPI�s from these data sources.

Desired

• Background in SPACE, or even Aerospace is not required, although a nice to have.  More important is someone with a passion to want to be in the Newspace industry, so an individual coming from consumer electronics, or automotive, with the right leadership qualities is acceptable.
• Experience in a startup environment
• Looking for candidates with positive, visionary, leadership skills and energy.  Provides strong mentorship and is an engaged coach for team members.

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, pet Insurance, and flexible PTO options.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.