Director of Operations

Key Responsibilities

• Map every step in the production and test process across all product families. For each step, build a data-driven perspective to eliminate, automate internally, or outsource to a contract manufacturer. 
• Build the analytical framework of cost, quality, cycle time, knowledge dependency, strategic value that drives make/buy/automate decisions.  
• Identify and challenge processes that add labor cost without adding value. Produce a transition roadmap with timelines, cost projections, and resource requirements. 
• Continuously revisit this analysis as products evolve and as automation and CM capabilities mature. 

• Own governance of NetSuite item masters, BOM hierarchies, and part numbering standards.  
• Maintain reliable WIP tracking and inventory valuation that finance can trust for reporting and planning. 
• Execute aggressive inventory burn-down strategy of excess raw materials. 
• Manage supplier relationships and competitive bidding processes to drive cost reduction. 
• Strengthen quality processes oriented toward Contract Manufacturer readiness: incoming inspection, in-process verification, final test protocols, supplier quality audit capability. 
• Maintain and improve current production operations, including meeting output targets and reducing cycle time. 

• Own production scheduling and on-time delivery. 
• Manage the operations budget with a focus on cost reduction and building the financial case for outsourced manufacturing. 
• Coordinate with engineering on NPI production readiness — ensuring new products have cost targets, sourcing plans, and production schedules before launch. 
• Partner with the commercial team on order management, lead time commitments, and customer delivery expectations. 
• Coordinate with finance on inventory valuation, costing, and operational budgeting. 

• Partner with the VP of Engineering to design and implement automated test methods throughout the production process, from incoming raw material QA/QC to product-level final acceptance. 
• Ensure test specifications are documented and transferable. 

• Work directly with the VP of Engineering to embed Design for Manufacturing, Design for Test, and Design for Automation into the product development process. 
• Provide manufacturing and process feedback during engineering stage-gate reviews to catch DFM issues before they reach production. 
• Collaborate on SKU rationalization and component standardization to reduce complexity across the product portfolio. 

• Work closely with the VP of Engineering on DFM/DFT for new hardware platforms, ensuring manufacturability and testability are designed in. 
• Partner with the commercial team on sales & operational planning, demand signals, and warranty/service cost management. 
• Coordinate with finance on inventory valuation and operational budgeting. 
• Manage the operations budget with a focus on cost reduction and the financial case for outsourced manufacturing. 

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field. 
• 5+ years of progressive operations leadership experience in precision instruments, scientific equipment, or similar high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments. 
• Direct experience managing a contract manufacturing transition — from vendor selection through pilot production to full-scale handoff.  
• Hands-on experience with NetSuite, including BOM management, WIP tracking, and inventory control. 
• Deep understanding of electronic assembly, optical or electromechanical systems integration. 
• Experience developing automated test methods and fixtures for production environments. 

• MBA or Master’s in Engineering/Operations. 
• Familiarity with S&OP, demand planning, and sales-operations alignment processes. 

Benefits

• Salary range: $150,000 - $180,000 annual base
• Health, dental, and vision insurance with low deductibles and premiums paid by company 99% for self and 50% for dependents and/or spouse
• 401K with company match (no vesting period)
• Student loan assistance
• Generous culture around time off, including: 
  • Unlimited PTO
  • 6 days of sick time per year 
  • 11 paid company holidays per year 
  • up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave (gender neutral) including adoptions