Chief Operating Officer - Defense/Aerospace/Drone/Advanced Electronics Industry

Description:
Role Overview: The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will be responsible for end-to-end operational leadership, translating the companys vision into scalable execution. This role will oversee manufacturing, supply chain, quality, program management, compliance, and operational strategy, working closely with the CEO and leadership team to drive growth, efficiency, and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
1. Operations & Manufacturing Leadership
- Lead and scale manufacturing operations for drone camera payloads, including optics, sensors, electronics, and mechanical assemblies
- Ensure on-time, on-quality, and on-cost delivery of products
- Establish lean manufacturing practices, process optimization, and cost controls
- Oversee capacity planning, vendor management, and production scalability
2. Supply Chain & Vendor Management
- Build and manage a robust domestic and international supplier ecosystem
- Mitigate supply risks related to critical components (sensors, optics, semiconductors)
- Drive localization, cost optimization, and supplier performance metrics

3. Quality, Compliance & Certifications
- Ensure compliance with defense, aerospace, DGCA, ISO, AS9100, and other regulatory standards (as applicable)
- Implement rigorous quality assurance and testing frameworks
- Oversee audits, certifications, and documentation
4. Product Delivery & Program Management
- Collaborate with R&D and Product teams to ensure smooth transition from prototype to production
- Own program timelines, budgets, and cross-functional execution
- Drive continuous improvement in product reliability and field performance
- Experience working with defense, aerospace, drone, or advanced electronics companies is highly desirable

- Translate business strategy into operational roadmaps
5. Strategic Planning & Scale-Up
- Translate business strategy into operational roadmaps
- Support expansion into new markets, customers, and global programs
- Build scalable systems, processes, and organizational structures

6. Leadership & People Management
- Build and mentor high-performing teams across operations, manufacturing, QA, and supply chain
- Establish a culture of accountability, innovation, and execution excellence
- Drive performance management and leadership development
Key Skills & Competencies
- Strong operational leadership in hardware/deep-tech manufacturing
- Expertise in aerospace, defense, drones, optics, imaging systems, or electronics
- Proven ability to scale manufacturing from early stage to growth stage
- Strong understanding of compliance, certifications, and regulated environments
- Strategic thinker with hands-on execution mindset
- Excellent stakeholder management and decision-making skills
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelors or Masters degree in Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, or related field
- 15+ years of experience in operations/manufacturing leadership
- Prior experience as COO / Head of Operations / VP Operations preferred
- Experience working with defense, aerospace, drone, or advanced electronics companies is highly desirable