Senior Operations Manager, Production Assembly

Beehive Industries is dedicated to Powering American Defense by revolutionizing the design, development, and delivery of jet propulsion systems to support the warfighter. Through the integration of additive manufacturing, the company aims to meet the growing and urgent needs for unmanned aerial defense by dramatically improving a jet engine’s speed to market, fuel efficiency, and cost. Founded in 2020, the company is headquartered in Centennial, Colorado, with additional facilities in Knoxville, Tennessee, Loveland Ohio, and Mount Vernon, Ohio. This role will be located at our Centennial, Colorado facility.

About the Role

We are seeking a Manager, Assembly & Test Operations to build the robust processes and infrastructure needed to guide this critical phase. This is a crucial role responsible for overseeing the assembly and testing of both our current development engines and our future production units. The ideal candidate will have a deep technical understanding of gas turbine engines and will be responsible for taking components from our manufacturing partners and internal teams and transforming them into fully integrated, tested, and ready-to-deploy engines, leading the seamless transition from current development production to a robust, high-rate production environment.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Scaling
  • Assist to build and implement the operational capabilities and infrastructure necessary to support full-scale manufacturing, specifically for final assembly and test
  • Develop and refine assembly and test processes to optimize for efficiency, quality, and scalability
• Operational Management
  • Direct all final assembly and engine test activities for both development and production units, ensuring adherence to engineering specifications and production schedules
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of engineers, technicians, and assemblers, fostering a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement
• Process & Quality Control
  • Ensure all assembly and test operations comply with AS9100 quality management systems and other relevant industry standards
  • Collaborate with the Quality team to implement and monitor quality control measures
  • Drive a culture of safety, quality, and accountability, from the development floor to the production line
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with the Manufacturing Operations team to ensure a seamless handoff of parts that aligns with program schedule(s)
  • Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Program Management to ensure a smooth transition from design to delivery
  • Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to engine assembly and testing, supporting both development and production teams
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Education
  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant technical or operations discipline, or equivalent experience
• Experience
  • Minimum of 8 years of experience in a manufacturing or operations leadership role, with at least 3 years specifically in gas turbine engine manufacturing, assembly, and/or testing
  • Demonstrated experience scaling a manufacturing operation from development to production
  • Proven experience managing and leading a technical team
  • Experience with AS9100 or similar quality management systems
• Skills & Competencies
  • Deep technical knowledge of gas turbine engine manufacturing, assembly processes, and performance testing protocols
  • Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
  • Strong strategic planning and analytical abilities
  • Proficiency in project management and resource planning
  • Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and innovative environment
  • The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Nice to Have

• Master’s degree in engineering, operations, or a related technical discipline
• Experience commissioning or scaling a final assembly and/or engine test line in an aerospace or defense production environment
• Working knowledge of gas turbine engine test cell operations, instrumentation, and data acquisition
• Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent continuous-improvement certification
• Active or recent U.S. government security clearance

Pay

In compliance with Colorado’s Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, the salary range for this position is $160,000-195,000 base salary. Please note that wage information is a general guideline only, and we will consider factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, and market conditions when extending an offer.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package that includes group Medical, Dental, Life, and Short and Long-Term disability coverage from day one
• Generous 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with a Company match
• Bonus eligibility for every role
• Equity in the company