Director, Training Operations

Job description

HADRIAN - MANUFACTURING THE FUTURE Hadrian is building autonomous factories to reindustrialize America. By combining AI, advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing, we help aerospace and defense companies build rockets, satellites, aircraft, ships, and other mission-critical systems up to 10x faster and at significantly lower cost. Following our $1.37B Series D at a $7.87B valuation, Hadrian is rapidly expanding our manufacturing footprint, launching new capabilities across welding, casting, forging, electronics, additive manufacturing, and more, while scaling our Factory-as-a-Service platform to transform how critical products are built. Backed by leading investors including JPMorgan Chase, Valor Equity Partners, Andreessen Horowitz, Founders Fund, 137 Ventures, Lux Capital, T. Rowe Price, and Morgan Stanley, we’re building the future of American manufacturing—and looking for exceptional people to help make it happen. If you’re ready to take on the most challenging and rewarding work of your career while helping create American manufacturing jobs for generations to come, you’re exactly who we’re looking for. The Role: As Director of Training Operations, you will own the strategy, structure, and execution quality of Hadrian's Training Operations function across all active factory locations and manufacturing capabilities. Lead a team of Training Operations Managers, ensure training programs are running consistently and to a high standard, and maintain alignment between training capacity and production demand at all times. Ensure the function meets all applicable compliance and regulatory requirements across factory assignments, and that training execution is always audit-ready. What You’ll Do - Own the strategy and execution quality of Hadrian's Training Operations function across all factory locations and manufacturing capabilities — every technician trained, certified, and production-ready on schedule - Directly lead a team of Training Operations Managers across F2 (Torrance), F3 (Mesa), F4 (Muscle Shoals), and F5-RRAD, developing their capability and holding a high bar for performance - Partner with Factory GMs and Program Managers to keep training capacity ahead of production ramp schedules and new capability launches - Establish and enforce global competency and certification standards across all capabilities, identifying where standards slip and driving corrective action - Own compliance and audit readiness across AS9100, NADCAP, and applicable government contract obligations — partnering with Quality and Program Management to stay ahead of requirements - Build the headcount and capacity plan for the Training Operations function and produce regular reporting on workforce certification status and production readiness What We’re Looking For - 10+ years in manufacturing operations, training, or workforce development, with at least 3–5 years leading teams across multiple sites and capabilities - Proven track record building or scaling a training or operational function in a high-growth, technically complex environment - Has led leaders — not just individuals — and can hold accountability across a distributed team without micromanaging - Enough technical credibility to engage with engineers and factory SMEs and make sound judgments about training quality against real manufacturing complexity - Experience owning compliance and audit readiness under a regulated quality system (AS9100, NADCAP, FAA, or equivalent) What Will Set You Apart - Direct experience in CNC Machining, Welding, NDT, or another precision manufacturing capability - Background in a high-stakes operational environment outside manufacturing — flight line, kitchen, logistics hub, MRO facility — where execution quality has immediate consequences - Military training command, standardization, or depot operations background - Experience standing up a greenfield site or launching a new capability from scratch - Familiarity with skills matrix platforms (AG5 or similar) and certification-gated production workflows BENEFITS FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES - Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees - 401k - Relocation support may be provided for certain situations, based on business need. - Flexible vacation policy - Equity ITAR REQUIREMENTS To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/?id=ddtc_kb_article_page&sys_id=24d528fddbfc930044f9ff621f961987. USE OF AI IN HIRING Hadrian uses AI-assisted tools in our recruiting and hiring processes to help our team work more efficiently. This may include tools that help organize and analyze recruiting data, as well as an AI-powered notetaker that can record and transcribe interviews and help coordinate feedback. These tools support our team and are not used to make hiring decisions. All candidate evaluations and hiring decisions are performed by humans. If an interview will be recorded, you will be notified in advance and may opt out at any time with no impact on your candidacy. Candidate data processed through these tools is subject to the same protections described in our Privacy Policy https://www.hadrian.co/privacy-policy. HADRIAN IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER It is the Company’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. The Company does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race inclusive of traits historically associated with race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, such as braids, locks and twists), color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin (including, in California, possession of a drivers license), ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, height or weight, medical condition, family care status, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, exercise of reproductive rights, any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws, or any combination of the above characteristics. When necessary, the Company also makes reasonable accommodations for disabled candidates and employees, including for candidates or employees who are disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.