Director of Operations (Prometheus)

Prometheus Energetics LLC is seeking a Director of Operations to lead the start-up, activation, and operational of its new Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) manufacturing facility in the Bloomfield, Indiana area.

Prometheus Energetics is a new U.S.-based joint venture and merchant supplier of solid rocket motors, energetics, and adjacent propulsion products for U.S. and international defense markets. The Director of Operations will play a critical role in transitioning the site from construction completion through equipment installation, process qualification, first article production, and full-rate manufacturing.

This position is responsible for building the operational organization from the ground up, developing production systems and processes, and establishing a high-performance culture centered on safety, quality, schedule, and cost execution. The Director of Operations will lead all manufacturing, production planning, facilities operations, and shop-floor support functions, ensuring the factory is purpose-built for scale, reliability, and mission assurance.

This role reports to the Chief Operating Officer.

Responsibilities:

Plant Start-Up & Operational Stand-Up

• Lead all aspects of factory activation including equipment installation, commissioning, validation, and process qualification
• Develop and execute the operational ramp-up plan from first builds through full-rate production
• Establish manufacturing readiness milestones, KPIs, and production metrics
• Drive knowledge transfer from parent companies and external partners into documented, repeatable manufacturing processes
• Ensure manufacturing processes meet AS9100, DoD, ATF, OSHA, and applicable energetic material handling standards
• Partner with Engineering to transition from development to stable production

Organizational Build-Out & Leadership

• Build the operations organization from initial leadership hires through full production staffing
• Recruit, hire, and develop high-caliber manufacturing leaders, supervisors, planners, and technicians
• Establish training and certification programs for Operations personnel
• Develop cross-training programs to build workforce flexibility and production resilience
• Create a culture of accountability, ownership, and mission focus across all shifts and functions
• Implement clear communication rhythms and performance expectations at all levels

Manufacturing & Production Execution

• Direct all production-related activities including motor case preparation, insulating, lining, propellant processing, casting, cure, assembly, and final integration (as applicable to facility scope)
• Oversee Production Planning & Control, Master Scheduling, and material flow
• Ensure on-time delivery commitments to Prime, U.S. Government, and international customers
• Drive cost control, labor efficiency, and throughput optimization
• Lead daily operations reviews focused on Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost

Operational Systems & Continuous Improvement

• Facilitate implementation and/or optimization of ERP systems, manufacturing execution systems, and warehouse management processes
• Develop standard work, visual management systems, and structured production control processes
• Implement Lean manufacturing principles to eliminate waste and improve flow
• Establish factory performance dashboards and metrics reporting to executive leadership and Board stakeholders
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on yield, cycle time, and quality performance

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure strict adherence to all safety standards related to energetics and explosive materials
• Partner with Safety & Security leadership to maintain full regulatory compliance
• Ensure compliance with AS9100 quality management systems and customer requirements
• Maintain audit readiness for customer, regulatory, and government inspections
• Champion a safety first culture

Executive & Stakeholder Engagement

• Provide regular operational readiness updates to executive leadership, JV partners, and the Board of Directors
• Support customer engagements, production readiness reviews, and government audits
• Contribute to long-range capacity planning and capital investment strategies

Keyword: AS9100; plant start-up; aerospace; defense; operations; ERP systems
Required Experience:

Qualifications:

• 20+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, energetics, propulsion, or highly regulated manufacturing environments
• Demonstrated experience leading plant start-up, greenfield factory activation, or major production ramp programs
• 5+ years of direct leadership experience managing multi-level manufacturing organizations
• Strong knowledge of ERP systems, production planning, and inventory control systems
• Deep understanding of Lean manufacturing principles and operational excellence methodologies
• Experience operating under AS9100 or similar and government contract compliance environments
• Proven ability to build and scale operational teams in a fast-paced start-up environment
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving capabilities
• High integrity leadership style with the ability to build trust across all levels of the organization
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
• Must be a U.S. Citizen due to the nature of the work

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field required
• Advanced degree (MBA or technical MS) preferred
• Experience in solid rocket motor manufacturing, energetics production, or propulsion systems highly desired

Work Environment:

• Office, manufacturing, and energetic processing environments
• Ability to stand and walk production floors for extended periods
• Ability to work in hazardous material environments with appropriate PPE
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds

Location:

• Bloomfield, Indiana area

Travel Required:

• Occasional domestic and international travel as required