Site Manager
Karman Space & Defense
People & HR, Operations
Albany, OR, USA
Posted on Mar 7, 2026
Summary
Karman Space & Defense is searching for a Site Manager to join our team. This position will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Albany, OR site and will report into the Regional General Manager.
About Us
Karman Space & Defense provides concept-to-production solutions for mission-critical systems on spacecraft, launch vehicles, missiles, hypersonics, and integrated defense systems. We believe that solving the industry’s most complex and mission-critical challenges requires relentless determination and a willingness to push the boundaries of possibility. Karman Space & Defense brings to bear unparalleled production capabilities, unmatched engineering expertise, and unflinching analysis to render the impossible, possible.
Compensation & Benefits
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
Karman is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to race; color; religion; genetic information; national origin; sex; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; age; disability; citizenship status; uniform servicemember status; or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law. Our management is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, recruitment advertising, pay, and other forms of compensation, training, and general treatment during employment.
Karman Space & Defense is searching for a Site Manager to join our team. This position will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Albany, OR site and will report into the Regional General Manager.
About Us
Karman Space & Defense provides concept-to-production solutions for mission-critical systems on spacecraft, launch vehicles, missiles, hypersonics, and integrated defense systems. We believe that solving the industry’s most complex and mission-critical challenges requires relentless determination and a willingness to push the boundaries of possibility. Karman Space & Defense brings to bear unparalleled production capabilities, unmatched engineering expertise, and unflinching analysis to render the impossible, possible.
Compensation & Benefits
- Medical, Dental, Vision
- Company Paid Life Insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Paid Holidays
- Tuition Reimbursement*
- Operational Excellence: The Site Manager will execute the company’s strategic objectives while meeting customer commitments and stated financial goals. The Site manager will work with the Albany leadership team to uphold operational excellence at the site.
- The Site Manager will help support the staffing of the organization with qualified personnel and will ensure the shop floor is trained on best practices and improved operations models. They will implement systems and processes for standardizing work and remove bottlenecks. They will work with engineering and program management to ensure programmatic success and collaboration throughout all departments.
- The Site Manager will implement strong process controls to ensure that shipments are being delivered on time, with zero defects, and expected margins. They will use lean manufacturing and Six Sigma techniques to reduce variation in processes where able and to better align functions on the shop floor.
- The Site Manager will ensure proper facility utilization and product flow across the site. The Site Manager will take a hands-on approach to managing and improving the performance across all product lines by establishing operational metrics that improve the visibility of equipment utilization, labor productivity, and profitability. The Site Manager will be responsible for adherence and reporting of company financials and KPIs for the site.
- The Site Manager is responsible for overall site safety and safety policy.
- Hiring: The Site Manager will work with corporate and local HR to hire staff and get in front of future growth initiatives. The Site Manager will be a strong business partner for HR, helping them identify current and future needs.
- Customer Interface and Negotiation: The Site Manager will manage the relationships with current customers and suppliers and oversee proposal and contracting processes. The Site Manager will be persuasive with strong business acumen and adept at negotiating sound business deals. Equally, the Site Manager will get in front of future problems by strengthening the manufacturing organization and demonstrating excellence with customers.
- Growth and Sales: The Site Manager will lead a robust sales initiative to win new customers and new programs for the organization. They will capture 20% growth year over year. The Site Manager will support these growth initiatives by focusing on strong operations performance, clear communication with customers, and a focus on accommodating customer demands. The Site Manager will manage facility and equipment utilization to ensure sufficient capacity to support future pipeline growth.
- Background in leading program execution and operations within a Space/Missile/Defense/Hypersonic environment is preferred.
- Experience in operations and business development preferred.
- Experience managing a P&L.
- Expertise in mechanical and technical environments.
- Ability to work with diverse/complex business models in midsize to large organizations.
- Demonstrated performance leading in a matrixed environment.
- Strong leadership background.
- Lean/six-sigma experience is preferred. Established background in driving operational excellence.
- Experience in both integrating and installing an ERP system is preferred.
- Proven ability to drive/sustain operational growth is required.
- Heavy focus on compliance and AS9100 quality systems experience is required.
- DOE Level L and/or DOD Secret Clearance preferred
- Based in, or willing to relocate to, the greater Albany, OR area.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Federal background check
- To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, certain positions may require applicants to be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C.
- 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C.
- 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
Karman is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to race; color; religion; genetic information; national origin; sex; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; age; disability; citizenship status; uniform servicemember status; or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law. Our management is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, recruitment advertising, pay, and other forms of compensation, training, and general treatment during employment.
