Director I, IT Service Owner - Manufacturing Operations & Quality

Job Description
We are seeking a Director I, IT Service Owner - Manufacturing Operations & Quality to set the strategic vision, operational governance, and end-to-end service excellence for the digital capabilities that power our factories and quality ecosystems. This senior technology executive will lead the transformation of Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP), IoT-enabled asset performance, Factory 5.0 human-machine collaboration, and supplier quality integration-while ensuring cyber resiliency, IT/OT standardization, and the sustainment of enterprise systems at scale.

Operating as the enterprise owner for manufacturing and quality digital services, this leader will orchestrate a cohesive roadmap across MES/MOM, MRP, PLM/QMS, data platforms, and edge/IoT architectures—driving measurable improvements in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), cost of poor quality (CoPQ), asset utilization, and workforce digital adoption. The ideal candidate brings executive presence, a strong technical and program leadership background, and the ability to influence across a complex, matrixed organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the enterprise strategy and roadmap for Manufacturing Operations & Quality digital services (MRP, MES/MOM, QMS, PLM, IoT/edge, data/analytics), aligning investments with business outcomes, regulatory requirements, and cyber resiliency objectives.
• Drive Factory 5.0 transformation—advancing safe, effective human-machine interaction, AI-assisted workflows, and digital work instructions to enhance throughput, quality, and workforce readiness.
• Elevate operational performance through disciplined service management: improve OEE, increase asset utilization, reduce CoPQ, and standardize KPIs, dashboards, and analytics for executive decision support.
• Modernize MRP and connected planning to harmonize demand/supply signals, materials availability, and production scheduling with integrated supplier quality processes.
• Establish IT/OT standards to ensure resilience, safety, and interoperability across plants and suppliers.
• Lead cybersecurity-by-design across manufacturing systems, coordinating risk assessments, control implementation, incident response readiness, and compliance.
• Own support and sustainment for enterprise manufacturing and quality platforms including incident, problem, change management and vendor oversight.
• Advance digital factory capabilities—IoT telemetry, edge computing, data pipelines, analytics, and digital twins.
• Champion digital adoption and workforce readiness through structured enablement, role-based training, and change management.
• Integrate supplier quality signals into manufacturing operations enabling traceability, containment, and corrective actions.
• Communicate complex technical and non-technical concepts to senior executives with clarity and precision.
• Influence across a large matrixed organization without direct authority, aligning to enterprise standards.
• Lead leaders and develop talent across service management, engineering, and plant systems teams.
• Govern programs to outcomes through structured project and portfolio management processes.

Competencies

• Executive presence and strategic acumen with the ability to simplify complex concepts.
• Outcome-based leadership with focus on operational excellence metrics.
• Cross-functional influence within matrixed business and IT/OT environments.
• Cyber resiliency mindset paired with innovation leadership.
• Exceptional communication skills including executive storytelling.
• Proven talent development and leadership capability.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical or engineering discipline; advanced degree preferred. Or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Minimum 12+ years of progressive leadership in manufacturing/quality systems, IT service ownership, or technical program management.
• Proven experience with MRP, MES/MOM, QMS/PLM, IoT/edge platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to improve OEE, reduce CoPQ, and increase asset utilization.
• Experience establishing IT/OT standards and managing plant cybersecurity.
• Strong technical foundation in software development, engineering, or program management.
• Exceptional communication and executive presence.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Experience in regulated industries such as aerospace or defense.
• Familiarity with digital factory technologies including digital twins and advanced analytics.
• Professional certifications such as ITIL, CISSP, PMP, or Agile.

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Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $153377 - $260743

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.

About BAE Systems, Inc.
BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.

Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.

This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.