Director of Industrial Management

About the role

LoftOrbital is evolving from a startup into an industrialized space‑systems manufacturer. The Director of Industrial Management will partner with the VP of Operations and functional leaders to build processes, capacity models, and operational rhythms that enable reliable production and scale‑up for near‑term deliveries and long‑term growth.

Key responsibilities

• Act as the chief integrator across AIT, QA, Facilities, Supply Chain, Manufacturing Engineering and Test, aligning daily execution with strategic objectives.
• Lead operations programs to meet cost, schedule and quality targets while managing material, tooling and workforce flow for high‑mix, mid‑volume production.
• Directly manage a cross‑functional OPS program team, coach functional leaders, and foster a culture of accountability and systems thinking.
• Deploy lean and digital manufacturing initiatives, standardize processes, and champion lessons‑learned to improve cycle time and quality.

Required profile

• 12–15+ years in Operations/Manufacturing leadership within space, aerospace, avionics or other high‑reliability industries.
• Proven success in mid‑volume, high‑mix production environments and building teams that scale from startup to industrial operations.
• Experience influencing multiple technical functions without direct authority and delivering on strategic milestones.
• Bachelor’s in Engineering or Operations‑related field; advanced degree (MBA, MSc) preferred.

Required skills

• Capacity planning and industrial engineering expertise.
• Material flow management and lean manufacturing techniques.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP and PLM digital tools.
• Implementation of digital manufacturing and data‑driven processes.