Senior Manager, Developmental Operations

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years. ABOUT THE TEAM Anduril Rocket Motor Systems is seeking an accomplished Senior Manager of Developmental Operations to oversee the development manufacturing activities of Rocket Motor Systems at our state-of-the-art facilities. In this strategic role, you will be instrumental in establishing, managing, and optimizing developmental operations processes for our cutting-edge rocket motor systems, ensuring top-tier quality and efficiency while preparing for the transition to full-rate production. WHAT YOU'LL DO Embrace the ownership and leadership for the growth of developmental operations to include maturing processes, improving workflows, and defining systems in alignment with Anduril’s rigorous AS9100 quality management system, EHS systems, and drive efficiency improvements through continuous improvement efforts. Functions will include: Tooling design and fabrication Chemical manufacturing Testing Hardware integration Electrical Engineering Systems Managing a diverse organization of 50+ engineers, technicians, and operators across multiple shifts as well as weekends. Drive the strategic planning and execution of production schedules, ensuring timely delivery of rocket motor systems to meet customer requirements and contractual obligations. Implement best practices for lean manufacturing and continuous improvement to optimize production operations and reduce costs. Collaborate closely with engineering, quality assurance, supply chain, and program management teams to ensure alignment with operations capacity so as to deliver seamless integration of new products and technologies into the production line. Partner with the EHS team to develop and maintain a robust safety program, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and company policies to maintain a safe working environment. Manage and mentor a team of production leaders and supervisors, operators, and support staff, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability. Oversee professional development of the teams including succession planning, individual growth, and talent retention/acquisition Leverage ERP/MES capabilities to create detailed reports and analyses on production metrics, identifying trends and recommending solutions to enhance operational performance. Serve as the primary point of contact for all matters related to developmental operations, liaising with internal stakeholders and external partners. Oversee professional development of the teams including succession planning, individual growth, and talent retention/acquisition. QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field; Master’s degree or MBA preferred. Minimum of 7 years of experience in production or manufacturing management within the aerospace, defense, energetics, or related industry. Proven track record of successfully leading low rate production operations of highly hazardous materials with a focus on EHS, quality, efficiency, and scalability. Strong leadership skills with experience in team building, coaching, and performance management. In-depth knowledge of lean manufacturing principles, process improvement, and production planning. Excellent problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills. Exceptional communication and interpersonal ski