Director Experimental Fabrication

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary :

The Director, Experimental Fabrication (EXP) leads a highly skilled and diverse team responsible for the fabrication of the first-of-type aircraft, test articles, marketing mockups, and other company commissioned bespoke builds. This role is pivotal in supporting the development, certification, and operational validation of advanced aviation technologies. The director is responsible for establishing and evolving the capabilities, workforce, and infrastructure necessary to deliver these projects with precision and efficiency, driving shorter time-to-market and high-quality outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities / Essential Functions :

• Provide strategic direction for EXP operations that align with Product Development objectives and program goals.
• Provides direct oversight of 5–7 managers, who collectively lead a team of 100+ full-time employees.
• Effectively supports a broad range of operational areas, including Platform Management, Fabrication, Avionics & Electrical, Composites / Tooling & Finishing, and Assembly / Mechanics.
• Work cross-functionally with teams across Product Development, Production, Accounting, Quality, Supply Chain, and Customer Support to align efforts and achieve company objectives.
• Ensure EXP organization goals align with and support companywide organizational objectives, including certification timelines and innovation targets.
• Develop capacity plans, skill gap review, and resource estimates to execute program timelines to plan.
• Responsible for setting long-term talent vision, providing direct mentorship, and ensuring access to specialized equipment and processes to support successful project delivery. Foster a culture of continuous improvement and drive the team to reach stretch goals to become more efficient.
• Balance team capacity with the needs of the business.
• Oversee the annual planning, staffing, and budgeting for the EXP department.
• Ensure that test articles comply with relevant company design and FAA certification requirements.
• Establish and maintain rigorous safety protocols and risk management practices for EXP operations.
• Influence, mentor, and lead individuals and teams from across the company and within the industry.
• Develop and implement training programs to uphold the highest standards of skill, proficiency, and safety.
• Represent the organization in high-level engagements with internal and external stakeholders to advance strategic priorities.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with Engineering and Flight Test teams to ensure alignment and collaboration.
• Other requirements as defined by the SVP, Product Development

Qualifications :

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and / or Experience :

Education :

Experience :

Skills :

Certifications :

Competencies :

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies :

Our Benefits : Cirrus provides a range of exciting benefits, including :

These benefits are designed to support your well-being, growth, and enjoyment at Cirrus!

Other Duties :

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Work beyond 40 hours per week may be required.

Cirrus is dedicated to a drug free work environment promoting equal employment opportunity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, national origin, color, age, disability, religion, pregnancy, veteran status, marital and family status, sexual orientation, receipt of public assistance, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.