Provide leadership, planning, and direction for xLab's technical support and operations staff (8-12 fabrication, assembly, test and layout designers )
Work with other xLab leaders for strategic planning and tactical execution of the prototyping portfolio; recommend areas of improvement for more effective and efficient technical and business operations
Identify and develop strategic partnerships to enable surge capabilities during high volume periods
Assign and prioritize resources, determine staffing needs, and coordinate activities and operations working in conjunction with other xLab leaders
Conduct staff performance reviews, establish departmental and personnel goals, and recommend performance improvement, career development, salary and promotion actions
Responsible for production control and associated procurements, budget planning, equipment/supply management
Maintain and support an effective safety and housekeeping best-practice culture for multiple engineering & test laboratories
Manage lab equipment, including procurement of new equipment and coordinating metrology needs for existing lab test equipment
Manage inventory and storage for lab supplies, parts and project needs
Communicate and coordinate activities to counterpart departments, management, and customers
What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in a STEM field or equivalent
Substantial experience in a managerial role with proven ability to establish and maintain effective team relationships with contractors, customers, and corporate staff with a focus on engineering and industrial management
Demonstrated success in developing staff, impacting effective operations, and management of research labs
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to influence a technical organization at all staffing levels
Strong leadership skills to include personnel management experience, communication skills, and a passion for rapid prototyping
Willing to travel domestically up to 10%
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret level security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
Experience and/or degree in Industrial Engineering, Engineering Management, Business Management, particularly in the defense industry
10 years of demonstrated experience developing and managing in a "first article" prototype lab environment, new product introduction (NPI)
Experience with lean manufacturing in an R&D setting
Working knowledge of workmanship standards (e.g., IPC, J-Standards, PCB manufacture, harness manufacture, ESD)
Proficiency in Jira and Confluence
Working knowledge of CAE tools used for layout design, e.g., PADS or PADS Xpedition , OrCAD, Altium
We offer a competitive compensation package where you'll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salari
Additional Information
The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation's space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space- delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you'll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.
The Aerospace Corporation's Experiment Lab, xLab, develops prototypes, instruments, pathfinders, and demonstration systems that target our customers' hardest problems at a time of increasing strategic importance. We engage with our customers to conceptualize and deliver innovative and impactful solutions (products) for ground and space and everything in between. xLab's multi-disciplinary engineers and technical staff have a passion for design, a commitment to teamwork and a desire to help Aerospace make a difference to today's challenges.
We are looking for a Department Director to lead and provide oversight to our new xLab Operations Support Department . You will be responsible for the day-to-day management of ~ 10-15 technical support staff at our El Segundo, CA and Chantilly, VA campuses, and for our modern labs which include PCB assembly areas, electronics testing, mechanical assembly & test, and environmental test facilities. xLab's Technical Support Service Manager who is responsible for our Fabrication Services machine shop team will be a direct report to you. You will be responsible for evolving the department and its services to support xLab's growing prototype portfolio and centralizing xLab's Integration & Test functions.
This is a full-time, 100% on-site position based in El Segundo, CA.
Aero · El Segundo, CA