Deputy Site Lead

Job Description

Job Description

Are you a proven aerospace leader with a passion for operational excellence, engineering innovation, and team development? We are seeking a highly motivated Deputy Site Leader to serve as the trusted second-in-command for a growing aerospace and defense operation.

In this critical leadership position, you will partner directly with the Senior Vice President/General Manager to oversee site operations, drive strategic initiatives, and ensure the successful execution of engineering, manufacturing, and customer programs. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence business performance, develop high-performing teams, and prepare for future executive leadership responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Partner with the Site Leader to manage day-to-day operations across the facility.
• Align engineering, manufacturing, electrical design, program management, and support functions toward common business objectives.
• Drive operational performance, efficiency, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and to customer expectations.

Engineering & Technical Oversight

• Provide leadership and oversight across:
  • Mechanical and product design
  • Electrical design and controls
  • Component manufacturing
  • Engineering support services
• Promote innovation, technical excellence, and sound engineering practices.
• Resolve complex technical and operational challenges affecting customer programs.

Program & Customer Success

• Collaborate with Program Managers to ensure successful execution of customer contracts.
• Monitor resource allocation, project milestones, risks, and financial performance.
• Participate in customer reviews and executive-level communications.
• Support proposal development, customer visits, and business growth initiatives.

Manufacturing Excellence

• Lead efforts to enhance safety, quality, productivity, and cost performance.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement principles.
• Optimize production capacity and operational effectiveness.

People Leadership

• Coach, mentor, and develop managers and technical leaders.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and employee engagement.
• Support succession planning, talent development, workforce planning, and organizational growth.

Strategic Leadership

• Contribute to the development and execution of site strategy.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and drive corrective actions when necessary.
• Lead strategic initiatives and special projects that support long-term business growth.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Manufacturing, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience.

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience within aerospace, defense, engineering, manufacturing, flight test, or related technical environments.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional organizations and complex customer programs.
• Strong understanding of:
  • Engineering and product development
  • Aerospace operations
  • Program management systems and principles
  • Industrial manufacturing, or high-mix/low-volume manufacturing operations
  • Financial and resource planning
  • Engineering design
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and decision-making skills.
• Must be U.S. citizen
• Must currently possess (or be able to obtain) a DoD security clearance (Secret level minimum)

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree (MBA or Engineering discipline).
• Aerospace and Defense industry experience.
• Flight test operations experience.
• Experience with high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments.
• Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma leadership experience.

Benefits and Perks:

• Industry-competitive compensation package
• Company performance-based bonus plan
• Equity stock-based compensation package
• Employer-funded comprehensive health, vision, and dental insurance for employees and dependents
• 401k with company match
• PTO & holiday pay
• Employer-funded life and disability insurance coverages

Company Profile

Founded in 2013, FMS is a growing, flexible, customer-driven aircraft structural engineering and flight test company with manufacturing capability. We have many opportunities with a variety of types of projects with both foreign and domestic governments and commercial customers across many types of aircraft. Our parent company, Bridger Aerospace is an aerial firefighting and critical infrastructure support company based in Belgrade, Montana. It was founded in 2014 to support front-line firefighters with world-leading technology and aerial fire suppression systems. Bridger Aerospace has grown from operating a single plane to commanding a significant Air Attack fleet, Special Missions Sensor Equipped Aircraft, and the largest privately operated Super Scooper fleet in the world.

This position is subject to pre-employment background check.

Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings and its family of companies does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, marital status, age, disability, citizenship status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by federal or state law in matters of employment, promotion, services or activities it operates.