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Salary: USD 117,000 - 154,000 / annual
Anduril Industries is a defense technology company transforming U.S. and allied military capabilities through advanced autonomous platforms, robotic systems, and AI-powered warfighting capabilities. The Hardware Test & Operations (HTO) organization ensures every system delivered is safe, reliable, and combat-ready from first article through fielding.
You will serve as Operations Leader and tactical business execution manager within HTO, reporting directly to the Deputy. This role is the operational backbone of a rapidly scaling robotic systems test enterprise. You will own business and resource support, financial performance, performance metrics, and day-to-day organizational execution. Your core mission is to translate strategy into action, keep the organization running efficiently, and build connective tissue between pillar leads, program teams, and leadership.
Key Responsibilities:
- Build and run the operating cadence for HTO: staff meetings, pillar-level reviews, scorecard cycles, and cross-functional coordination. Ensure leadership has clean, timely information for decision-making.
- Define, instrument, and report metrics that matter: headcount vs. capacity, throughput vs. demand, IRAD burn rates, program fund utilization. Turn raw data into executive-ready dashboards and action items.
- Own the 6/12/24-month execution outlook across the organization. Track resource allocation and utilization. Build bottoms-up resourcing models that tie capability to demand signals. Identify gaps early and propose solutions.
- Treat HTO as a service organization. Define service standards at each interface (response time, throughput commitment, quality) and measure against them. Transform test teams into an integrated, customer-oriented enterprise.
- Partner with the Director of Flight Operations to integrate aviation test operations into the broader business cadence. Ensure flight-test scheduling, airworthiness coordination, and range readiness are tracked and adequately priced.
- Track progress of functional support and report on performance of critical Deputy and VP initiatives. Serve as trusted liaison within HTO and externally.
- Support pillar leads in delivering against Product Development Process (PDP) gates (SRR through ORR). Track T&E deliverables across the Core Five framework. Ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
- Identify what's broken, duplicated, or missing in HTO operations. Propose and execute fixes—new reporting templates, streamlined approval processes, eliminated meetings. Make pillar leads more effective, not more burdened.
This is a role for a practical operator with a can-do mentality and bias for action. You thrive on making an organization sharper, faster, and more accountable. You have a head for numbers and the grit to build structure where none exists.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Aviation Management, or related discipline (equivalent relevant experience may substitute).
- 7+ years of experience in business operations, program management, or operational leadership within a technical or defense environment, with at least 3+ years managing cross-functional processes across multiple teams or sites.
- Demonstrated strength in financial forecasting, resource planning, and budget tracking. Fluent in burn rates, run rates, and demand signals.
- Proven ability to build and sustain operational rhythms: review cadences, scorecards, dashboards, and reporting frameworks from scratch.
- Experience in aviation, aerospace, or unmanned systems operations. Understand the unique tempo, safety culture, and regulatory landscape of flight-test environments.
- Strong analytical skills with hands-on proficiency in data tools (Excel modeling, BI dashboards, or equivalent). You pull your own numbers.
- Track record of building or significantly improving a service organization—establishing SLAs, measuring throughput, holding teams accountable to commitments.
- Exceptional organizational and communication skills. Capable of distilling complexity into clear, concise briefings for senior leadership.
- Bias for action and practical, results-oriented mindset.
- Ability to travel up to 25% for domestic test site coordination and cross-pillar engagement.
- Active U.S. Secret security clearance (or ability to obtain and maintain).
Preferred Qualifications:
- MBA or Master's degree in Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
- Prior experience in a Deputy/Chief of Staff/Operations Manager role supporting a VP or senior director in a high-growth defense or aerospace organization.
- Familiarity with DoD Product Development Process (PDP) milestones, T&E gate reviews, and defense acquisition lifecycle.
- Experience with robotic systems, autonomous platforms, or unmanned aerial systems in test, operations, or program management.
- Knowledge of IRAD/program-funded cost structures and defense contract financial management.
- Experience standing up operational infrastructure in fast-moving, ambiguity-rich environments where process didn't exist before you arrived.
- Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.
