Director, Programs and Operations

Position Introduction/Key Duties

Watring Technologies, Inc. (WTI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cimarron Inc., seeks a Director of Operations and Programs in Huntsville, AL. The selected candidate for this position will lead operations, drive program execution, and manage cost and schedule performance for projects, with a primary focus on Missile Defense Agency (MDA) programs, Department of Defense (DoD) initiatives, and NASA-related efforts. This senior leadership role is critical to delivering turnkey solutions, ensuring operational excellence, and maintaining AS9100D quality standards for high-technical customers in Huntsville’s aerospace and defense market.

Key Duties

• Direct manufacturing, systems integration, and testing operations, ensuring compliance with AS9100D, MDA Assurance Provisions (MAP/PMAP), and DoD standards.
• Oversee program lifecycles, prioritizing MDA missile defense programs, followed by DoD initiatives (e.g., missile systems, C4ISR), and NASA projects (e.g., Artemis, SLS), ensuring alignment with client requirements.
• Manage cost and schedule for all projects, developing budgets, tracking expenditures, and ensuring timeline adherence using tools such as MIL-STD-881E-compliant Work Breakdown Structures (WBS).
• Develop operational strategies to enhance efficiency, scalability, and quality in hardware design, development, and testing, with a focus on missile defense applications.
• Lead and mentor a team of operations staff and program leads, fostering accountability and innovation.
• Engage with MDA, DoD, and NASA stakeholders to define program requirements and ensure contractual, cost, and schedule obligations are met.
• Monitor KPIs for cost, schedule, and quality, providing strategic updates to the President and senior leadership.
• Drive rapid prototyping and integration of custom solutions using industry-standard CAD environments for missile and aerospace systems.
  
  
  

Required/Desired Skills, Experience, And Education

Required Skills, Experience, and Education :

• Due to facility security requirements, only U.S. citizens are eligible for consideration at this time.
• Ability to obtain a Secret Clearance.
• 5 or more years of experience in a leadership role.
• 10 or more years of experience in operations and/or program management in the aerospace or defense industry.
• Proven expertise in managing cost and schedule for complex aerospace or defense programs, including budget development and timeline oversight.
• Demonstrated success managing high-technical projects (e.g., missile defense systems, hardware-in-the-loop testing, systems integration) for MDA, DoD, or NASA.
• Expertise in AS9100D quality standards.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Primavera, Jira) and CAD environments.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience engaging MDA or DoD clients.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, or related field.
  
  
  

Desired Skills, Experience, And Education

• Active Secret Clearance (or higher).
• Experience with Solidworks and/or NX.
• Direct experience with MDA programs (e.g., Ground-based Midcourse Defense, Aegis BMD) or DoD missile systems.
• Familiarity with NASA programs, such as Artemis or Space Launch System (SLS).
• PMP, PMI-SP, or similar project management/scheduling certification.
• Knowledge of advanced manufacturing processes (e.g., additive manufacturing, automated testing) for missile or aerospace applications.
• Proficiency in mechanical design using CAD software.
• Experience analyzing testing data and writing scripts in MATLAB.
• Familiarity with electrical component layout, manufacturing, and assembly.
• Experience with silicone mold design and 3D SLA printing.
• Experience with MDA Assurance Provisions (MAP/PMAP).
  
  
  

Business Profile

Watring Technologies, Inc. (WTI) is an experienced, diversified high technology company proficient in total system integration services, test, custom design, and the manufacturing of process automated hardware. We give customers access to a sole-source, multi-disciplinary staff of specialists offering turn-key solutions. Watring Technologies, Inc. combines state-of-the-art technologies with innovative applications to solve unique problems. We will enhance or complement your industry, giving you a competitive edge with reduced costs and improved productivity. We take great pride in our corporate offerings and the way we conduct business. WTI is dedicated to customer success and satisfaction. Watring Technologies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.