Director of Operations

Job Title: Director of Operations

Location:

Goleta, CA, US, 93117

Business Unit: Rotron PDT

Posting Date: May 22, 2026

Job Description:

The Director of Operations is a senior business leader responsible for strategic oversite and leadership of all manufacturing and operational functions within AMETEK Pacific Design Technologies (PDT), supporting the delivery of high-reliability liquid cooling systems, pumps, and thermal management components for the aerospace, defense, and space industries.

This role is accountable for operational performance, ensuring safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives are consistently achieved. The Director of Operations drives scalable manufacturing capabilities, supporting new product introduction (NPI), and ensuring alignment with operational excellence and growth objectives.

Scope & Impact

• Direct ownership of site-level operational performance
• Responsible for achieving delivery, cost, and productivity targets
• Key leader in supporting growth across aerospace and defense programs

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all site manufacturing operations including Assembly & Test, Manufacturing Engineering, Production Control, Supply Chain Management, and Quality Assurance; drive daily execution to meet customer delivery commitments
• Plan and achieve company revenue and profit goals
• Establish and lead a structured continuous improvement system to drive sustained improvements in throughput, cost, and quality and achieve annual productivity targets
• Develop and execute make/buy and low-cost sourcing strategies
• Drive supply chain performance, including supplier quality, delivery, and cost
• Lead risk mitigation for long-lead materials, sourcing constraints, and supplier dependencies
• Build, develop, and retain a high-performing operations team across direct and indirect labor and promote a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement
• Ensure a safe working environment and compliance with aerospace standards (e.g., AS9100), regulatory requirements, and internal procedures
• Ensure operational readiness and execution across all production programs, including new product introductions, qualification builds, and transition to rate production
• Partner with Program Management and Engineering to meet customer schedule, cost, and quality commitments
• Establish, monitor, and drive performance against key metrics, including Safety, On-Time Delivery, Gross Margin, Productivity (% YOY), Purchase Price Variance (PPV), Labor Efficiency
• Ensure the effective use of the ERP system throughout the Manufacturing organization
• Lead the preparation and execution of the annual budget and strategic plan for Operations

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Operations, or related field (advanced degree preferred)
• 10+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing/operations leadership, preferably within aerospace or defense related business
• Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Familiarity with pumps, motors, electromechanical systems, or fluid management products and knowledge of government/defense program requirements and contracts is preferred

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Results-driven with strong bias for action and accountability
• Strategic thinker with hands-on operational execution capability
• Ability to lead through change, ambiguity, and growth
• Collaborative leader who builds alignment across engineering, operations, and commercial teams

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

• Requires the ability to access all areas of the facility
• Infrequent need to lift light loads (up to 25 lbs.)

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and holiday pay.
• Comprehensive health benefits and 401(k) plans.
• Generous paid time off per year

#LI-JW3

Compensation

Employee Type: Salaried

Currency: USD

Salary Minimum: 180,000

Salary Maximum: 250,000

Incentive: No

Disclaimer: Where a specific pay range is noted, it is a good faith estimate at the time of this posting. The actual salary offered will be based on experience, skills, qualifications, market / business considerations, and geographic location.

For more information on AMETEKs competitive benefits, please click here.

AMETEK, Inc. is a leading global provider of industrial technology solutions serving a diverse set of attractive niche markets with annual sales over $7.5 billion.

AMETEK is committed to making a safer, sustainable, and more productive world a reality. We use differentiated technology solutions to solve our customers' most complex challenges. We employ 22,000 colleagues, in 35 countries, that are grounded by our core values: Ethics and Integrity, Respect for the Individual, Inclusion, Teamwork, and Social Responsibility. AMETEK is a component of the S&P 500. Visit https://www.ametek.com/careers for more information.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Individuals who need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process should call 1 (866) 263-8359.

Nearest Major Market: Santa Barbara

Nearest Secondary Market: Santa Maria