Title:  Associate Manager, Operations - Space Hardware Manufacturing

Job Title: Associate Manager, Operations – Space Hardware Manufacturing 

Job Code: 33111

Job Location: Wilmington, MA

Schedule: 9/80

Job Description:

The L3Harris Space Superiority/Imaging Division site in Wilmington, MA designs and produces space‑based optical telescopes for small satellites. We build advanced optical systems for commercial and government customers, including NASA. Notably, this site designed and built the telescope for NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft, which captured the first close‑up images of Pluto and several outer moons (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/newhorizons/images/index.html).  There are many other interesting missions that this business has supported and continues supporting!

We’re hiring a result-oriented Associate Manager of Operations to lead a diverse technician organization and help turn advanced designs into flight-ready hardware. In this high-impact role, you’ll influence manufacturing strategy, drive operational excellence, and grow a high-performing team that takes pride in building hardware destined for orbit.

Essential Functions:

• Be the leader: Lead and develop a team of 30+ technicians across multiple disciplines, ensuring strong performance, engagement, and career growth

• • Manage technician support across final assembly and test operations. Coordinate with programs to align labor and resources to meet program milestones
  • Oversee daily operations in our Machine Shop, Paint Shop, Vacuum Bakeout, and other areas. Set clear priorities and ensure efficient, high-quality output
  • Manage skills matrices, training plans, hiring needs, and long-term workforce development to support future mission requirements
• Safety & Quality are paramount:
  • Champion a “safety-first” culture by driving proactive improvements, leading investigations, and embedding safety as a fundamental value
  • Drive exceptional quality standards. Help the team learn from mistakes by leading RCCA efforts and converting challenges into sustainable process improvements
• Improve every day: Lead Lean/Six Sigma initiatives that reduce waste, shorten cycle times, and elevate overall manufacturing performance
• Data driven management: Use data and KPIs to guide decision-making, maintain performance visibility, and implement recovery actions when needed
• Be the consummate teammate: Partner with other L3Harris functions and sites to coordinate work, optimize capacity, and leverage enterprise capabilities
• Communicate clearly: Ensure crisp communication across programs and teams, maintaining alignment with site-wide objectives

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Science, or Business with a minimum of 6 years prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree with a minimum of 4 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.
• Previous experience in manufacturing, ideally in product development or New Product Introduction (NPI)
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret Security Clearance

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Active U.S. Security Clearance
• Experience managing assembly operations with optics or high‑precision hardware
• Machine shop leadership experience
• Strong communicator with the ability to present complex operations and technical data to leadership
• Lean/Six Sigma experience with a proven track record of process improvement
• Passion for driving innovation, safety, and continuous improvement
• Demonstrated leadership or management

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington, and the Greater D.C, Denver, or NYC areas is $88,000.00 - $164,000.00. 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 anddisability 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.

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