Director of Test Operations

Director of Test Infrastructure & Operations

Thousand Oaks, CA | Hybrid

Opportunity Summary

Join a growing aerospace company developing advanced spacecraft propulsion systems supporting both national security and commercial space missions. As the company expands its engineering and production capabilities, we are seeking a Director of Test Infrastructure & Operations to build and lead the organization responsible for test execution, facility development, operational excellence, and long-term infrastructure strategy. This is a highly visible leadership role responsible for far more than day-to-day testing. You will own the strategy, execution, and growth of the company's test operations organization, including facility planning, infrastructure expansion, capital projects, staffing, safety, and operational performance. As a member of the engineering leadership team, you will help shape how the company scales its development and production capabilities over the coming years.

One of the most exciting aspects of this opportunity is the ability to build something from the ground up. As programs expand, you will evaluate and develop new test facilities, expand existing capabilities, implement scalable operational processes, and build an organization capable of supporting multiple concurrent development and production programs. This role is ideal for an operational leader who enjoys building organizations as much as running them. Whether your background comes from aerospace, defense, energy, advanced manufacturing, or another complex hardware environment, success in this role will come from creating systems, facilities, and teams that enable rapid execution and long-term growth.

About Us

We are a growing aerospace company developing advanced spacecraft propulsion technologies for commercial and defense applications. Backed by private investment and supported by a growing portfolio of government and commercial programs, we are expanding our engineering, manufacturing, and test capabilities to support the next generation of space systems. Our team values technical excellence, operational discipline, and rapid execution. As we continue to grow, we are investing heavily in the people, facilities, and infrastructure needed to accelerate development while maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality.

Job Duties

Strategic Operations Leadership

• Lead the company's Test Infrastructure & Operations organization, with responsibility for facilities, personnel, infrastructure, budgets, safety, and operational execution.
• Develop the long-term strategy for scaling test capabilities across engineering development, qualification, acceptance, and production programs.
• Serve as a key member of the engineering leadership team, helping define organizational priorities, capital investments, staffing plans, and operational strategy.
• Build scalable processes, systems, and operating procedures that improve execution speed, quality, reliability, and efficiency.
• Establish operational metrics and KPIs to monitor facility utilization, throughput, schedule performance, equipment availability, and organizational effectiveness.

Test Facilities & Infrastructure

• Lead planning, development, and expansion of current and future test facilities to support increasing engineering and production demands.
• Evaluate new facility locations and infrastructure requirements while supporting site selection, facility design, commissioning, and operational readiness.
• Oversee major capital equipment investments, facility upgrades, maintenance planning, and long-term infrastructure roadmaps.
• Ensure test facilities remain safe, reliable, and capable of supporting multiple concurrent development programs.
• Drive continuous improvements that increase operational capacity while reducing downtime and improving overall efficiency.

Test Operations & Program Execution

• Direct all day-to-day test operations across component, subsystem, and integrated system testing.
• Balance facility resources across multiple engineering programs while ensuring schedule commitments and program milestones are achieved.
• Establish standardized test planning, readiness reviews, execution procedures, data management, and reporting processes.
• Partner closely with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and program management teams to align testing priorities with product development objectives.
• Ensure accurate collection, management, and delivery of high-quality test data to internal and external stakeholders.

Safety, Compliance & Quality

• Champion a culture of operational excellence with safety as the highest priority.
• Oversee hazard analyses, risk mitigation planning, operational readiness reviews, and safe execution of all testing activities.
• Develop and maintain operational procedures, training programs, and safety documentation for hazardous systems and facility operations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory, environmental, and customer requirements.

Organization Development

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing organization of engineers, technicians, operators, and operational leaders.
• Recruit outstanding technical talent while developing future leaders within the organization.
• Foster a culture centered on accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and execution.
• Partner with executive leadership to develop organizational structure and staffing plans aligned with future company growth.

Business & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Support strategic planning, proposal development, and customer engagements by providing facility planning, operational schedules, and testing cost estimates.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to ensure operational capabilities align with future business opportunities.
• Represent test operations during customer visits, technical reviews, and executive planning discussions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of experience leading engineering operations, test operations, manufacturing operations, or complex hardware development organizations.
• Demonstrated success building, scaling, or transforming technical operations within a fast-paced engineering environment.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary organizations consisting of engineers, technicians, operators, and support personnel.
• Strong understanding of engineering program execution, budgeting, staffing, scheduling, and operational planning.
• Experience managing hazardous operations and implementing world-class safety programs.
• Experience overseeing facility operations, infrastructure planning, or major capital improvement projects.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence technical teams and executive leadership.
• Comfortable operating in a dynamic environment where priorities evolve alongside company growth.

Preferred Experience

• Experience supporting aerospace, defense, space, propulsion, energy, or other highly regulated hardware development programs.
• Background developing or commissioning engineering test facilities or manufacturing infrastructure.
• Experience supporting both engineering development and production operations.
• Familiarity with instrumentation, controls, data acquisition, and automated test systems.
• Experience supporting government-funded development programs.
• Previous experience helping scale engineering organizations through periods of rapid growth.

Why Join Us

• Build and lead an organization that will become a core capability of the company.
• Shape the strategy and development of future engineering test facilities.
• Serve as a key member of the engineering leadership team with direct influence on company growth.
• Drive operational excellence across multiple commercial and defense programs.
• Help build the people, systems, facilities, and infrastructure that will support the company's next stage of expansion.

Compensation

$170,000 - $220,000

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