Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Location: Shelburne / South Burlington, Vermont

Employment Type: Full-Time

Website: atlasgunworks.com

About Atlas Gunworks

At Atlas Gunworks , precision is their passion. Based in Vermont, they design and manufacture competition-grade 1911/2011 pistols and premium components — all built in-house with unrivaled performance and craftsmanship.

Atlas is growing rapidly — about 30% year-over-year — and they are expanding their team to meet rising global demand while maintaining the accuracy, reliability, and innovation the brand is known for. Atlas Gunworks is looking for an operations leader who can help us scale efficiently without ever compromising on quality.

The Opportunity

Atlas Gunworks seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join their leadership team and play a pivotal role in scaling their manufacturing operations. Reporting directly to the CEO, you’ll be the strategic driver behind our production systems, ensuring operational excellence across machining, assembly, finishing, quality, and logistics.

This is a hands-on, high-impact leadership role — ideal for someone who thrives in fast-paced, high-performance manufacturing environments and knows how to translate growth into process discipline and measurable results.

What You’ll Do

• Lead all production operations: machining, assembly, quality inspection, inventory management, and logistics.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency, quality, and efficiency.
• Streamline production flow — from raw material to finished product — applying lean and continuous improvement principles .
• Build performance dashboards and KPIs to drive accountability (throughput, cycle time, defect rate, on-time delivery).
• Manage and Collaborate with engineering and R&D to align production capacity with product development and market demand.
• Forecast operational needs: labor, equipment, tooling, and space planning for ongoing 30%+ growth.
• Build, coach, and empower a high-performing operations leadership team.
• Maintain cost controls, improve yield, and ensure compliance with safety and firearms industry regulations .
• Partner cross-functionally with supply chain, procurement, and sales to ensure production supports commercial goals.
• Champion a culture of craftsmanship, continuous improvement, and accountability throughout the organization.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or Manufacturing Management (MBA preferred).
• 10+ years of progressive operations leadership in manufacturing — ideally precision machining or high-performance products.
• Proven success scaling production in a fast-growth environment.
• Deep experience developing SOPs, mapping process flows, and leading lean/continuous improvement initiatives.
• Analytical, data-driven decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build and lead teams , manage change, and uphold exceptional quality standards.
• Strong communication skills across technical and executive teams.
• Hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves leadership style and a bias for action.

Key Metrics for Success

• Meeting or exceeding production volume and on-time delivery goals.
• Reduced cycle times and defect rates.
• Standardized processes and measurable efficiency gains.
• Improved cost per unit while maintaining Atlas-level quality.
• High engagement and retention within the operations team.

Why Join Atlas Gunworks

At Atlas, you’ll help shape one of the most innovative firearms manufacturers in the U.S. — a company built on passion, precision, and performance. You’ll be part of a team where craftsmanship meets engineering excellence, and where every improvement you lead directly impacts our shooters and our brand.

Ready to lead the next phase of Atlas Gunworks’ growth?

Atlas Gunworks has partnered with Dan Lyons from The Richards Group to lead this important search. Please send a cover letter and résumé explaining your interest in the position to Dan at dlyons@therichardsgrp.com or call Dan at 802-556-1167 with questions. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Atlas Gunworks is an equal opportunity employer