Associate Director Programs Jobs in Ladera Ranch, CA

The Deployments Team orchestrates the global fielding of Anduril's cutting-edge hardware and software products. Operating at the critical intersection of product innovation and mission execution, we manage forward logistics, complex site installations, comprehensive maintenance & repairs, field inventory management, and reverse logistics. Working in close partnership across Product, Engineering, Growth, Business Development, Technical Operations, and Mission Operations, the team is central to ensuring unparalleled customer and mission success, directly shaping the future of Anduril's defense solutions.
ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking an Associate Director of Deployment Operations to join our rapidly expanding team in Costa Mesa, CA. In this pivotal leadership role, you will be instrumental in defining and executing the strategic vision for deploying Anduril's people and technology across a global operational footprint within a specific division. You will build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team, fostering a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement. This role demands exceptional strategic planning, the ability to navigate complex, often ambiguous challenges, and a relentless focus on scaling operations to meet the demands of our expanding product lines and global missions. You will be a critical bridge between strategic objectives and field execution, ensuring the precise deployment of resources to achieve mission success.
This is a unique opportunity for a transformational leader who thrives in high-growth, high-stakes environments. You will directly impact mission effectiveness, operational efficiency, and Anduril's global strategic expansion, translating operational complexity into strategic insight for senior leadership. Your passion for defense and cutting-edge technology, coupled with your strategic operational acumen, will be essential in shaping the future of Deployment Operations at Anduril.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Lead & Scale Deployment Operations:

• Define and execute the strategic roadmap for Deployment Operations across your assigned division and multiple Business Lines, establishing long-term operational frameworks that scale proactively with Anduril's growth trajectory and align with company-wide strategic objectives.
• Build, mentor, and grow a high-performing team of direct and indirect reports within Deployment Operations, providing mentorship, setting rigorous performance standards, and building organizational capability to ensure excellence and succession planning across all deployment activities.
• Foster a collaborative, mission-focused culture that supports professional growth, employee engagement, and accountability for delivering impact.
• Oversee global deployment strategy and execution for your division, ensuring proper staffing and resource allocation with senior leadership across Logistics, Hardware, and Technical Operations teams to meet critical mission requirements.
• Build and maintain robust strategic relationships with senior leadership of internal partners (Growth, Technical Operations, Supply and Demand Planning, Production, Accounting, Legal, Warehousing) and key external customers, positioning Deployment Operations as a strategic partner through unwavering alignment on requirements, milestones, and deliverables.
• Serve as the primary liaison for all deployment status, critical issues, and escalations, orchestrating high-level communication and translating operational complexity into strategic insights for stakeholders at all levels.
• Champion the development and adoption of new tools, techniques, and methodologies that streamline logistics, field operations, and installation processes, embracing digital transformation in deployment and sustainment operations.
• Evaluate deployment processes and performance metrics rigorously, driving continuous improvement initiatives that reduce costs, eliminate inefficiencies, enhance reliability, and improve data quality and forecast accuracy.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 8+ years of progressive experience in operations, global logistics, supply chain management, or complex program management, with demonstrated success in international operations and at least 3+ years in a people leadership role developing managers and high-performing teams.
• Proven track record of strategic leadership in balancing and successfully executing concurrent, complex, and high-stakes projects, preferably in a manufacturing, hardware, or defense environment with significant experience scaling global operations.
• Requires a relentless and proactive mindset to identify, pursue, and strategically engage the right stakeholders, adeptly cutting through ambiguity and organizational silos to ensure critical mission objectives are achieved.
• Exceptional leadership skills, including the ability to strategically organize, plan, schedule, and balance personnel workloads across multiple functions to meet rigorous deadlines and critical milestones.
• Superior communication, strategic influence, and interpersonal skills are required to enable an effective interface with other departments, all levels of management, customers, and government representatives, navigating complex or sensitive conversations with a focus on influencing outcomes.
• Proven ability to problem-solve and strategically remove obstacles for your teams, demonstrating a willingness to roll up your sleeves to tackle any challenge and drive change management for new processes and tools.
• Demonstrated customer-focused mindset with a track record of delivering high-quality, impactful results in ambiguous, fast-paced, and high-pressure environments.
• Deep understanding and experience with deploying and integrating enterprise systems and tools (e.g., ERP systems like Oracle, project management platforms, data analytics tools) to drive digital transformation in operational processes.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance.