Director Operations Manager Startup Jobs in Maryland

Job Title: Director, Operations Management             

Job Location: Millersville, MD

Job Schedule: 9/80 

Job Description: 

L3Harris is seeking a talented Operations Director for the Acoustics & Imaging Division within the Maritime sector of Space & Mission Systems. This role provides senior operational leadership for a highly complex, geographically dispersed manufacturing and engineering footprint. The Operations Director is responsible for driving disciplined operational performance, standardizing processes across multiple facilities, and leading transformational improvements that increase factory throughput, efficiency, and overall execution readiness.

Based in Millersville, MD, this leader oversees additional operations in Salt Lake City and New England, ensuring alignment to operational rigor, strong cross-functional collaboration, and consistent delivery in support of advanced maritime acoustics and imaging systems. The role manages a workforce of more than 300 employees and plays a key part in stabilizing performance, executing footprint consolidation, and advancing ERP/MRP standardization across the division. 

Essential Functions: 

Provide strategic and disciplined operational leadership for a multi-site manufacturing and engineering environment, driving consistent execution aligned with Maritime Sector priorities.
Lead daily operations across multiple sites, ensuring standardized processes, strong communication, and clear accountability.
Drive footprint consolidation and overall transformation initiatives, including facility optimization, workflow redesign, and elimination of operational inefficiencies.
Increase factory throughput through structured performance management, data-driven decision-making, and implementation of Lean, continuous improvement, and best-in-class manufacturing practices.
Build a scalable, reliable manufacturing pipeline that supports near-term program commitments and long-term growth of the Acoustics & Imaging Division.
Oversee operational forecasting, capacity analysis, labor planning, and capital investment strategies to ensure readiness and on-time delivery.
Partner closely with Engineering, Program Management, Supply Chain, and Quality to strengthen cross-functional alignment from product development through production.
Establish, track, and enforce operational performance metrics, including delivery, cost, quality, and productivity, supported by root-cause analysis and improvement plans.
Lead, develop, and mentor operational and functional leaders across a workforce of 300+, reinforcing a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Ensure adherence to all maritime, manufacturing, safety, and quality standards while advancing process consistency across all sites.
Represent the division in leadership reviews, cross-functional forums, and strategic planning efforts. 

Required Qualifications: 

Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 15 years of prior related experience. Graduate Degree with a minimum of 13 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 19 years of prior related experience.
13+ years of progressive operational leadership in manufacturing, engineering operations, or program execution.
Demonstrated experience leading operations across multiple sites or complex, distributed environments.
Proven track record of delivering measurable operational improvements, including throughput gains, cost reductions, and sustained performance stabilization.
Strong proficiency in ERP/MRP systems, with demonstrated ability to drive standardization, improve data accuracy, and strengthen operational rigor.
Solid understanding of manufacturing processes, supply chain operations, production planning, and performance management.
Proven ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams-engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and quality-in high-pressure delivery environments.
Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills across all organizational levels.

Up to 50% travel

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with acoustics, sonar systems, imaging technologies, or maritime/defense manufacturing.
Certifications or formal training in Lean, Six Sigma, or structured continuous improvement methodologies.
Experience leading multi-site operational transformations, footprint consolidation, or ERP integration efforts.
Familiarity with MES systems and digital operations platforms.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role is $151,000-281,000. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.