Job Title: Program Operations Manager - Space Mechanism Assembly & Integration

Job Code: 18192

Job Location:Wilmington, MA

Job Description:

The L3Harris Imaging Division in Wilmington, MA designs and manufactures unique, cutting edge solutions (in other words: cool stuff) for space.  This site is an industry leader in the design and production of space based optical telescopes, mechanisms, and payloads for small satellites in both the commercial and non-commercial markets.  We solve some of the toughest space based challenges out there, an example of one of these challenges is a telescope for NASA’s New Horizon mission.  This telescope, which took the first close up pictures of Pluto ever, was designed and built at this Wilmington facility  (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/newhorizons/images/index.html).  The spacecraft with that telescope is currently beyond our solar system, one of only 5 man made objects to be in deep space.

This team is looking to add a Program Operations Manager who is creative and loves to solve the tough problems that arise throughout both the development and manufacturing phases of our programs.  This is a high visibility role that is responsible for all aspects of build activities in a high mix, low volume manufacturing environment.  Leadership skills are essential in this position, as you will lead and coordinate all operations activities throughout the product development lifecycle, from conceptualization/design through manufacturing and shipment. You must be able to work in an ambigious environment with little direction, and use your technical knowledge to effectively bring together a team of experts to problem solve. You will lead a cross functional team across all disciplines of operations and some design engineering disciplines in the planning of manufacturing readiness, risk management, and execution of the design, build and test of spaceflight hardware, working directly with a wide variety of people, including technicians, to supervise and troubleshoot cutting edge opto-mechanical assemblies.  During the design phase, this position is responsible for  driving collaboration with the Design Engineering function to optimize Design for Manufacturability and Test (DFMAT). This role is one of three on the Wilmington’s Program Leadership teams that are jointly responsible for the successful execution of a program to meet customers’ needs.

Essential Functions:

• Work in an ambigious environment with little direction, and use technical knowledge to effectively bring together a team of experts to problem solve.
• Prior experience leading teams or programs in a production environment.
• Prior experience with new product integration.
• Ability to plan, operate and execute operational activities effectively.
• Experience with developing operational strategies including labor forecasting and make/buy planning.
• Evidence of strong problem-solving capability, people skills, and the ability to conduct presentations for various internal/external customers.
• Lead all aspects of execution for operations on a program, including design for manufacturability, production planning and manufacturing execution.
• Provide direction to both manufacturing engineers and technicians on a production floor for the assembly and integration of a variety of opto-mechanical and electrical assemblies.
• As an integrated member of the program team, provide status to program manager in regards to cost, schedule and delivery.
• Estimate and track manufacturing costs, initiate Continuous Improvement activities.
• Collaborate with our design engineers to apply DFMAT, APQP, and Lean manufacturing strategies starting at the design of hardware through build and delivery.
• Support design engineering, analysis, program management and IPT leads, process development, and proposal activities.
• Create and deliver presentations for Peer Reviews, Manufacturing Readiness Reviews, internal management reviews, and customer reviews.
• Provide capacity planning and lab space layout support for new programs.
• Be a technical leader, advisor, and mentor.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 6 years of prior relevant experience of graduate Degree and a minimum of 4 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 10 years of prior Program Operations Management experience. 

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Candidate should have a general knowledge optical hardware, electrical assemblies, structural bonding, contamination control, process layout and procedure writing.
• Experience with optical or electrical engineering.
• Gage, Dimension and Tolerancing (GD&T) experience.
• Experience working in clean room environments.
• Security clearance desired, but not required.
• Lean (Green Belt, Black Belt) certification.
• CAD training (Solid Works/AutoCAD).
• Knowledge of program and project management techniques and tools.
• Familiarity with AS9100/ISO9001 industry standards.
• Fabrication of reflectors, lenses, electrical assemblies, opto/mechanical alignment.