Director, Operations

Overview

Calspan is the premier independent provider of testing and technology development services, solutions, and systems in the aerospace, defense, and automotive industries. Our diverse skill set and unique testing capabilities help innovators push the limits of technology to transform the future.

 

Calspan is a full-service flight test organization housed in a state-of-the-art 80,000 sq. ft. hangar facility on the Niagara Falls, NY, International Airport (KIAG).  Our full-time team of experimental test pilots, engineers, mechanics, and technicians stand ready to take your ideas to flight in one of our fleet of jet-powered airborne testbeds.  

 

We are seeking an experienced leader to join our team! As the Director, Operations, you will be responsible for leading all operational activities at flight, including operational engineering, project management, aircraft maintenance and modification, flight test execution, and any related overhead activities. 

 

Every single thing we do with our customers and employees is based upon our goal of being selective in joining and difficult to leave. We operate with a core set of values surrounding inclusiveness, accountability, and innovation. Do you have what it takes to Be Calspan?

Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities Listed Below – Compensation and position level commensurate with education and experience.

Manage in alignment with our Company Values. Lead with the intent to create a respectful and healthy work culture that embraces inclusion. Create awareness in others of their abilities; involve others and share authority in planning and decision-making; challenge the Team and provide support by allowing them to take appropriate risks. Create an environment where others feel ownership of the results and are comfortable taking action to achieve their desired outcomes. Provide timely, constructive feedback regarding performance with a commitment to motivate, train, and develop. Manage administrative responsibilities and assume full responsibility for the accomplishments of department functions.

 

Provide overall operational leadership

• Engage with all departments regularly to ensure efficient and effective operational processes and tools are in place and are being used correctly
• Closely monitor overhead and facility expenses to ensure adherence to annual budgets and look for opportunities to reduce expenses.
• Work closely with other leaders on the ops team within Flight to achieve a state of constant, continuous improvement. This could include, but is not limited to:
  • 5S activities in both the office area and the hangar
  • New tools or processes for engineering teams to improve efficiency or quality of deliverables.
  • New tools or GSE in the hangar
  • Training for engineers, mechanics, and technicians
  • Overhead projects for improving the capability and maintainability of flights fleet of experimental airplanes.
• Formally identify opportunities to reduce expenses or improve efficiency as productivity projects where appropriate.
• Provide crisis management leadership when needed by giving clear direction and maintaining a calm and collected demeanor.
• Support recruiting and retaining talented aerospace professionals by creating an environment where open communication and collaboration are championed, and clear and honest feedback is not withheld.

Oversee project execution activities from contract award through closeout

• Provide guidance and direction to project managers to ensure adherence to project plans, schedules and budgets throughout all phases of project execution. Ensure the team achieves all deliverable outputs of each phase.  Provide project methodology expertise and guidance to project teams.
• Lead and direct the multi-disciplinary operational engineering processes. Identify and implement workforce efficiencies and forecast labor needs to support the various customer programs. 
• Track significant customer interactions like design reviews or flight test activities and ensure the team is properly prepared to provide a high level customer experience.
• Monitor financial and contractual engagements across the portfolio of projects and intervene as needed to remove roadblocks.

Lead Operations planning efforts across the business 

• Support the sales team with execution plans and cost estimates for business pursuits.
• Attend pre-award technical meetings with potential customers or delegate to SMEs on the ops team.
• Continuously track resource availability throughout the business and understand the impact of future awards.
• Track total revenue across the business for on-contract order