Head of Plant Operations & Capacity, Aerospace Prototyping — Halcyon Manufacturing

Location: San Jose, CA

Compensation: $125,000 – $190,000 annual potential

Can you take a $4M+ aerospace CNC prototyping shop and scale it methodically to consistent $500K+ months—while keeping quality impeccable, delivery reliable, and cash conversion healthy? If your answer is yes, let’s talk.

About the role

This is a sleeves-rolled-up operational leadership role, not corporate middle management. You’ll partner directly with the CEO as the operational second-in-command, installing the structure, systems, and rhythms that turn strong demand into sustainable throughput.

Your first 90 days — focus areas

Stabilize the flow: Build a baseline capacity model; identify and remove immediate bottlenecks in QC, scheduling, programming, and workflow; protect on-time delivery.Accelerate inspection: With Quality Engineering and QC leaders, expand inspection throughput and shorten inspection cycle times while upholding AS9100.Harden the schedule: Implement load-balanced job scheduling; create tight handoffs among Production, Quality, and the Front Office; improve job costing and margin visibility.Smart expansion: Stand up strategic subcontracting partnerships; launch vendor qualification and performance tracking; align outsourcing with capacity and profitability.Manage by metrics: Establish daily/weekly KPI reviews for OTD, scrap, throughput, and margin; forecast with the CEO; allocate resources using data, not emotion.

What you bring

• Track record scaling operations in a $5M–$15M CNC machining, aerospace, or precision manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on success eliminating production bottlenecks.
• Depth in throughput management, WIP control, and capacity modeling.
• Experience in regulated manufacturing (AS9100 preferred).
• Technical savvy in precision CNC machining and aerospace prototyping.
• ERP, scheduling, and operational analytics competence.
• Financial literacy with a clear view of P&L and margin drivers.
• Calm, credible leadership and strong customer-facing communication.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.

Your toolkit

• GD&T; Blueprint Reading
• Leadership / People Management
• Continuous Improvement, Kaizen, Lean Manufacturing Principles
• AS9100; ISO 9001 Certification Experience
• ITAR Compliance
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
• High-Level Operations Analysis
• ERP Systems; Basic Computer Skills
• Excellent Communication Skills; Contract Negotiation Experience
• Experience in a Manufacturing Environment
• Driver’s License

Machines & technology you’ll oversee

• CNC Mill: 3–5 axis VMC; 3–4 axis VMC (Fanuc); 5+ axis VMC (Fanuc)
• CNC Lathe: 2–7 axis; 2–4 axis (Doosan); 5+ axis (Doosan)
• Horizontal Machining Centers: 3–4 axis (Doosan) and 5+ axis
• Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM)
• ERP Software
• 2D Drawings and CAD Models

How success looks here

• Rising output with on-time delivery intact
• Inspection throughput up; cycle time down; AS9100 compliance steady
• Controlled WIP supporting strong cash conversion
• Clear job costing with healthier margins
• Qualified, high-performing subcontractor network

Rewards & trajectory

• Competitive base salary built around your impact.
• Performance bonus tied to sustainable revenue growth, throughput stability, margin targets, and KPI achievement.
• A defining role building the operating engine for Halcyon’s next stage of growth.

Why you’ll love it here

• Direct partnership with ownership in a high-growth aerospace prototyping environment.
• Real autonomy and decision-making authority.
• A capable production team ready for disciplined expansion.

Ready to architect the processes that scale a proven business? Apply now.