Director of Operations
Agile Space
Agile Space Industries is a rapidly growing supplier of propulsion hardware and engineering services for the space industry. Headquartered in Durango, Colorado, with expanding operations in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, Agile has achieved more than 40% year-over-year growth for the past three years, and our momentum continues to accelerate.
At Agile, we design, build, and test in-space propulsion systems that give spacecraft the ability to maneuver with precision, reliability, and purpose. Our technologies play a critical role in missions that range from lunar landings and resource utilization to national defense, human exploration, and commercial space transport.
We are seeking bold and driven individuals who thrive in a hands-on, fast-moving environment and want to help write the next chapter of space history as part of a close-knit, innovative team.
Agile Space Industries is seeking a Director of Operations onsite in Durango, CO. The Director of Operations is part of the Senior Leadership Team owning the effectiveness of the company operating system while serving as a primary delegate of the COO for business operations and decision flow.
This role is intentionally distinct from product delivery leadership. Directors of Project Delivery, Engineering, Manufacturing, Test, and Quality remain accountable for what is delivered. The Director of Operations is accountable for integration and effectiveness of how the company operates—the systems, cadence, standards, decision rights, and enabling functions that allow those teams to deliver safely, efficiently, and at scale.
Success in this role requires tight partnership and trust at the senior management level, ensuring that operational systems enable and improve —not constrain—execution.
Responsibilities
Company Operating System & Execution Framework
- Own and continuously improve the company operating system, including execution cadence, standard work systems, metrics, and escalation paths.
- Ensure alignment between strategic priorities and day-to-day execution across all delivery functions.
- Establish clear forums for cross-functional coordination, issue resolution, and decision-making.
- Make work visible: priorities, constraints, risks, and commitments are tracked, reviewed, and acted upon.
- Drive consistency in how teams plan, execute, and report—without dictating technical solutions.
Delegated Authority & COO Partnership
- Act with frequently delegated authority from the COO for operational approvals, prioritization, and resource coordination.
- Translate executive intent into executable operational systems and decision structures.
- Serve as the COO’s operational proxy in senior leadership forums, audits, and customer engagements.
- Proactively surface systemic issues impacting delivery leaders and drive resolution through the operating system.
Environmental, Health Safety & Security
- Build and own a scalable EHS&S management system across manufacturing, test, laboratory, and facilities environments.
- Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Test leadership to integrate safety into designs, processes, and execution.
- Ensure regulatory compliance and continuous improvement of safety culture and performance.
Supply Chain & Procurement Operations
- Own supply chain functional oversite and systems as an enabling function to delivery teams.
- Establish procurement systems, supplier performance management, and material readiness processes that support project schedules and quality outcomes.
- Partner with Program, Manufacturing, and Quality leadership to manage risk, lead times, and constraints.
Facilities, Infrastructure & Site Operations
- Own facilities and infrastructure planning and execution in direct support of engineering, manufacturing, and test needs.
- Ensure facilities scale ahead of demand and do not become a bottleneck to delivery.
- Lead capital projects and site expansions in coordination with functional leadership.
Senior Leadership Team Collaboration
- Operate as a peer and partner to Directors accountable for project delivery, design, manufacturing, testing, and quality.
- Enable functional leaders through systems, clarity, and disciplined execution—not by absorbing or duplicating their accountability.
- Facilitate constructive trade-offs across cost, schedule, safety, quality, and capacity.
- Build trust by being predictable, transparent, and solutions-oriented.
- Model effective senior-level teamwork in a fast-paced, technically complex environment.
Leadership & Organization
- Build and lead an operations organization that thinks in systems, not silos.
- Develop managers who run their areas through standard work, metrics, and continuous improvement.
- Reinforce a culture of accountability, clarity, and mutual respect across all functions.
15+ years of operations leadership in complex, regulated manufacturing or test environments.
Proven experience building operating systems that support multi-disciplinary technical teams.
Demonstrated success working as a peer within a senior leadership team.
Strong background in management of EHS&S, supply chain, and facilities operations.
What Success Looks Like
Delivery leaders spend more time delivering and less time fighting systemic friction.
Safety, supply chain, and facilities issues are anticipated and resolved through standard mechanisms.
Cross-functional decisions happen at the right level, with clear ownership and follow-through.
The company scales without chaos, heroics, or institutional knowledge bottlenecks.
Physical Requirements
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
Employment Type: Exempt
The expected salary range for this role is $148,000-$210,000 annually. Final compensation will be based on factors such as experience, skills, and internal equity, and is typically made within the midrange, rather than the upper end.
Work Schedule: Full Time
Location: Durango, CO
This position will remain open for at least two weeks from the posting date and will continue to accept applications until it is filled.
What You'll Love About Us
Agile Space Industries offers exceptional benefits to support you and your family including generous health coverage, dental and vision plans, Flexible Time Off, parental leave, and a 401(k) with 100% company match up to 4%.
We are committed to creating a diverse work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, region, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.
Don’t meet every single requirement? At Agile, we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly align with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the perfect fit for this role or another opportunity with us.
Reasonable Accommodation
At AGILE, our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please submit a request to hr@agilespaceindustries.com.
Posting Timeline: This position will remain open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will continue to accept applications until the role is filled. Early applications are encouraged, as reviews and interviews may begin during the posting period.
Recruitment Notice: Agile Space Industries is not partnering with external recruiters or agencies at this time. Please do not contact our staff directly regarding open positions. All candidates must apply through our official application process to be considered.