Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer

Defense Technology Company | Complex Systems | Executive Leadership Role

A leading defense technology company specializing in the development, manufacturing, and integration of advanced technological systems for defense customers in Israel and worldwide is seeking an experienced Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join its executive leadership team.

This is a broad and highly influential executive role with end-to-end responsibility for the company’s operational organization and for the critical interface between R&D, Engineering, Manufacturing, Integration, Supply Chain, Quality, and final delivery to the customer.

The Operations organization consists of approximately 50 employees and includes Supply Chain & Procurement, Manufacturing & Assembly, Quality, Logistics, Information Systems, and Facility Operations.

The COO will serve as a key member of the company’s executive leadership team and will play a central role in translating business and strategic objectives into measurable operational execution.

Key Responsibilities

Overall Operations Leadership

• Full end-to-end responsibility for the company’s operational activities, from product transfer from development to manufacturing through integration, testing, delivery, and customer acceptance.
• Direct management of department heads and leadership of cross-functional interfaces with R&D, Engineering, Program Management, Finance, and Executive Management.
• Ownership of operational performance, execution discipline, scalability, and delivery excellence.

Supply Chain & Procurement

• Lead and manage a complex procurement environment involving electronic components, electro-mechanical enclosures, assemblies, transducers, and acoustic elements.
• Manage suppliers and subcontractors in Israel and internationally.
• Identify, evaluate, qualify, and onboard new suppliers.
• Manage supply chain risks, material availability, long lead-time items, and Single Source dependencies.
• Develop alternative sourcing strategies to improve availability, business continuity, cost effectiveness, and operational resilience.

Manufacturing, Assembly, Integration & Testing

• Overall responsibility for manufacturing, assembly, system integration, and testing activities.
• Lead the production of complex multidisciplinary systems.
• Ensure achievement of delivery, throughput, quality, and schedule targets.
• Drive improvements in gross margin, operational efficiency, and scrap reduction.
• Ensure system readiness for acceptance testing, field trials, and sea trials.
• Lead operational execution through final delivery and customer handover.

New Product Introduction (NPI)

• Own and lead the company’s NPI and transfer-to-production processes.
• Work closely with R&D and Engineering to ensure manufacturing readiness.
• Drive Design for Manufacturing principles and production feasibility.
• Ensure manufacturability, process stability, repeatability, and product consistency.
• Build structured processes supporting the transition from development and prototype stages into integration and serial production.

Quality, Processes & Regulation

• Overall responsibility for Quality and operational processes.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001 and AS9100 standards.
• Lead quality processes, continuous improvement, failure investigations, corrective actions, and process control.
• Manage interfaces with regulatory and defense oversight authorities.
• Maintain deep familiarity with the Israeli Ministry of Defense, DECA/API requirements, Ministry of Economy regulations, and defense export control processes.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory requirements across the operational value chain.

Information Systems & IT

• Executive responsibility for the company’s Information Systems and IT function.
• Lead enterprise IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and business-supporting systems.
• Drive the adoption and implementation of AI and automation across organizational and operational processes.
• Oversee internal IT support and help desk services for all company employees.

Logistics & Facility Operations

• Overall responsibility for logistics operations.
• Manage inventory, warehouses, equipment, and operational infrastructure.
• Oversee facility maintenance and office operations.
• Ensure an efficient working environment that supports business growth and operational continuity.

Budgeting, Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Build and manage operational budgets.
• Monitor execution, costs, operational performance, and target achievement.
• Define and manage operational KPIs and performance dashboards.
• Lead Continuous Improvement initiatives.
• Drive improvements in productivity, delivery performance, process efficiency, and cost structure.

Leadership & People Management

• Direct management of department heads across Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Logistics, Quality, and IT.
• Leadership of an organization of approximately 50 employees.
• Build, strengthen, and develop the operational management layer.
• Develop managers and employees and foster a culture of ownership, execution excellence, accountability, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
• Lead effectively within a highly matrixed engineering and project-driven environment.

Executive Leadership

• Serve as a key member of the company’s executive leadership team.
• Participate in strategic and business decision-making.
• Translate company strategy into operational plans, budgets, KPIs, and measurable execution targets.
• Work closely with the CEO and other executive leadership team members.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering & Management or Electronics Engineering from a recognized academic institution – mandatory.
• Master’s degree – an advantage.
• At least 10 years of senior operations management experience in a technology company.
• At least 5 years of experience as a COO, VP Operations, or equivalent executive-level leader and member of a management team – mandatory.
• Proven and substantial experience within the defense industry – mandatory.
• Experience in the maritime / naval domain – a significant advantage.
• Proven experience managing a broad operations organization including Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality, and NPI.
• Proven experience working closely with R&D, Engineering, and Program Management – mandatory.
• Experience managing the production of complex multidisciplinary technological systems.
• Deep familiarity with Israeli defense regulation, Ministry of Defense procedures, export control requirements, and relevant regulatory authorities.
• Experience working under AS9100 / ISO 9001 standards.
• Experience managing suppliers and subcontractors in Israel and abroad.
• Experience managing budgets, KPIs, and operational improvement programs.

Significant Advantages

• Experience with maritime systems, sonar, underwater acoustics, or electro-acoustic systems.
• Experience leading field trials and customer acceptance testing.
• Experience managing or supporting sea trials.
• Naval background or meaningful service in the Israeli Navy.
• Technology or operational background within defense organizations or units.
• Experience in a project-driven environment delivering complex systems to defense customers in Israel and internationally.

The Profile We Are Looking For

A senior executive with strong systems thinking combined with exceptional execution capability.

A leader who knows how to manage managers, lead dozens of employees, and operate effectively across complex interfaces with R&D, Engineering, Program Management, suppliers, customers, and executive leadership.

The role requires the ability to make sound decisions under pressure and uncertainty, manage design changes, supply constraints, operational disruptions, and shifting priorities — while maintaining a clear view of the broader business picture.

We are looking for an executive who understands that operational excellence is not only about meeting schedules.

It is about creating the right connection between technology, people, quality, cost, customer commitments, and execution.

This role is designed for an experienced operations executive who has already led a significant operational organization and is ready to take a central, influential position at the heart of a defense technology company’s leadership and decision-making.