VP Production, Connected Warfare

For our client, we are seeking a VP Production, Connected Warfare to join the team of a leader in the Aerospace & Defense space.

This leader will oversee multi-site production operations for a portfolio of advanced products, ensuring the organization can scale efficiently while maintaining rigorous standards for safety, quality, delivery, and cost. The role will partner closely with R&D, engineering, supply chain, and operations teams to bring new products and processes into production. It will also shape facility strategy, capital planning, and a strong operational excellence culture across the production organization.

Location: Costa Mesa, CA - US based candidates only, no visa sponsorship available

Compensation: $252,000 – $382,000 annually

Responsibilities

• Establish strategic and operational leadership across multiple production facilities
• Lead and build production capabilities for a portfolio of products
• Partner with R&D and engineering teams to introduce new products and processes
• Drive production strategy, including facility decisions and capital planning
• Establish a culture of operational excellence using lean and Six Sigma methodologies
• Monitor KPIs for safety, quality, delivery, and cost across production sites
• Develop a high-performing production organization through talent development

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Operations Management, or a related field; MBA preferred
• 15+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including 7-10 years in an executive role overseeing 500+ employees
• Proven track record of leading large, complex manufacturing operations across multiple locations
• Experience managing simultaneous product ramps and scaling international operations
• Familiarity with all 5 pillars of production: planning, supply chain, engineering, operations, and quality
• Demonstrated ability to establish an operational excellence framework with expertise in lean manufacturing
• Proficient in managing large budgets in the hundreds of millions and capital programs

Benefits

• Comprehensive, competitive benefits package at little to no cost
• Support for health, recovery, and future needs
• Opportunities for highly competitive equity grants
• Top-tier benefits for full-time employees

Our client is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every qualification—your background could be exactly what this team needs.