Operations Director
Votaw Precision Technologies LLC · Santa Fe Springs, CA
- Level
- Director+
- Team
- Production
- Experience asked
- 20+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 3 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A director-level production role at Votaw Precision Technologies LLC (industrial) in Santa Fe Springs, CA.
- They ask for
- 20+ years
- Tools it names
- Lean, CNC, Machining, Welding, Capacity planning, Tooling
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Production Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $122k–$177k.
Median of the low and high ends of 37 live postings that list pay, out of 111 production engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 110 other live production postings in California.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (20+ vs 5+)
Typical $120k–$174k, from 31 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ New product launch 37%
- ✓ Lean 30%
- Root cause 27%
- Automation 24%
- Python 22%
- ✓ Team leadership 22%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for CNC, Machining, Welding, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Production team at Votaw Precision Technologies LLC
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
Full description from Votaw Precision Technologies LLCAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Essential Functions
- ◆Responsible for ensuring that the entire organization operates safely, efficiently, profitably, and to the highest standards of quality and technical excellence.
- ◆Have overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the CNC machine shop.
- ◆Establish and maintain a culture of technical excellence, accountability, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
- ◆Provide leadership and direction to machining, programming, production, quality, maintenance, and other shop personnel.
- ◆Ensure the shop has the appropriate personnel, equipment, tooling, processes, and resources to meet customer requirements.
- ◆Establish clear expectations for supervisors, leads, machinists, programmers, and support personnel.
- ◆Serve as the primary operational leader and decision-maker for the manufacturing facility.
- ◆Work closely with programmers, machinists, and engineers to resolve technical machining issues.
- ◆Evaluate machining processes and identify opportunities to improve cycle time, tool life, throughput, and quality.
- ◆Ensure manufacturing processes are technically sound, repeatable, and scalable.
- ◆Provide technical guidance when difficult or complex machining problems arise.
- ◆Maintain an environment where machinists, engineers, programmers continuously improve their technical capabilities.
- ◆Responsible for weld shop, tooling assembly, and manufacturing readiness team.
Qualifications and Skills
- ✓Approximately 20 years of experience in the CNC machining/manufacturing industry.
- ✓Previous experience as a Shop Manager, Manufacturing Manager, Operations Manager, Plant Manager, Production Manager, or Director of Operations.
- ✓Experience managing multiple shifts and 24/7 operations
- ✓Knowledge of complex, tight-tolerance, or high-value machined components.
- ✓Experience with 5-axis machining and advanced CNC manufacturing.
- ✓Implementing Lean Manufacturing or continuous-improvement initiatives.
- ✓Knowledge of ERP/MRP and production scheduling systems.
- ✓Managing capital equipment purchases and machine capacity planning.
- ✓Experience in aerospace, defense, medical, automotive, or other high-precision manufacturing environments is a plus.
Requirements
- ✓This position requires the use of information or access to hardware subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons as defined by ITAR.
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Description
Company Background and Summary
Votaw Precision Technologies is a trusted leader in the manufacturing of complex precision components, assemblies, and systems for the aerospace, defense, and industrial sectors. With a strong reputation for technical excellence, quality craftsmanship, and on-time delivery, Votaw supports some of the world’s most demanding programs through its advanced manufacturing capabilities. The company specializes in precision machining, fabrication, welding, and complex assembly operations for mission-critical applications. Votaw Precision Technologies has long been a trusted partner in building mission-critical hardware for some of the most advanced aerospace and defense programs in the world. Our precision components support the International Space Station, nearly every major launch vehicle in operation, high-performance spacecraft (including classified missions), as well as next-generation fighter aircraft, bombers, submarines, radar systems, and ground vehicles.
We are seeking an experienced and highly knowledgeable Operations Director to lead the overall operations of a high-performance CNC machine shop. This individual will have full responsibility for the day-to-day management, technical excellence, production performance, staffing, scheduling, efficiency, and continuous improvement of the facility.
The ideal candidate is a seasoned machining professional with approximately 20 years of industry experience who understands metal cutting and CNC machining at a deep technical level and has progressed into a strong operational leadership role.
The Operations Director must be able to walk onto the shop floor, understand the machining challenges, evaluate processes, communicate effectively with machinists and programmers, identify inefficiencies, and make sound technical and operational decisions. The company utilizes a variety of CNC machining technologies, including 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis machining, as well as vertical milling, welding and large-scale assembly tooling.
Personal Attributes
- •Highly self-motivated and directed.
- •Keen attention to detail.
- •Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.
- •Ability to work both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
Work Conditions
- •Ability to work onsite, including hours outside of a normal working day, to meet critical deadlines.
- •This position operates within a precision manufacturing environment supporting the production of mission-critical aerospace and defense components. Success requires a high sense of urgency, attention to detail, proactive problem-solving, and the ability to coordinate effectively across multiple departments to ensure uninterrupted manufacturing operations and customer delivery commitments.
- •Ability to work safely in a manufacturing environment, including walking the production floor, climbing stairs or ladders, occasionally lifting up to 25 pounds, and wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE).
Additional