Job Title: Director of Operations
Goleta, CA, US, 93117
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
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Nearest Major Market: Santa Barbara
Nearest Secondary Market: Santa Maria