Programs Lead, Test Sites & Infrastructure

About the Role:

As the Programs Lead, Test Sites & Infrastructure, you will be a critical strategic partner to the Director of Test Sites, playing a pivotal role in shaping and executing the vision for our organization's physical footprint. This dynamic position demands a blend of strategic acumen, operational excellence, and hands-on project leadership to manage the full lifecycle of our test sites and broader real estate portfolio. You will be instrumental in translating ambitious growth plans into actionable infrastructure strategies, ensuring our teams have the cutting-edge facilities they need, exactly when they need them, within a high-growth, highly regulated environment.

What You'll Do:

• Act as a strategic partner to the Director, contributing significantly to the definition, prioritization, and execution of the strategic roadmap and annual objectives for test sites and critical operational infrastructure.
• Support leadership in balancing resource allocation, execution risk, and growth plans, with a keen focus on specific program and site objectives, continuously monitoring financial performance to guide towards profitability targets.
• Drive the execution of the full lifecycle of test site and classified infrastructure development, from initial requirements gathering and design to commissioning, ongoing maintenance, and eventual decommissioning.
• Manage short-term and long-term space allocation across various teams, implementing creative solutions to meet rapidly evolving needs.
• Generate and refine accurate cost estimates for various project stages, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of creative contracting strategies and commercial terms for infrastructure projects.
• Oversee key relationships with consultants, contractors, and suppliers for all infrastructure initiatives and construction projects.
• Cultivate and manage strong working relationships with key internal stakeholders (e.g., Engineering, IT, Security, Facilities, EHS, Legal, Growth, Deployments, Production) and external partners (contractors, vendors, regulatory authorities).
• Serve as a primary point of contact for test site and infrastructure initiatives, facilitating clear communication and driving alignment across all teams.
• Proactively identify operational bottlenecks and risks within test site operations and our broader infrastructure, developing and implementing data-driven solutions to enhance efficiency, security, and compliance.

What You'll Bring:

• Experience: 8+ years of progressive experience in operational leadership roles, with a significant portion focused on physical infrastructure development, real estate portfolio management, specialized operational facilities, test site operations, or manufacturing environments within high-growth technology, defense, or similar highly regulated industries.
  • In-depth knowledge of construction means and methods, infrastructure design principles, and the ability to read technical documentation like facility drawings.
  • Proven experience in designing and/or setting up new production lines or factories, from process mapping through to collaborating with infrastructure design partners and workstation design.
  • Expertise in logistics, facilities management, and security compliance within complex operational environments.
  • Proven ability to contribute to strategic thinking, translate complex problems into structured frameworks, and drive the execution of data-driven solutions.
  • Exceptional project and program management skills for large-scale infrastructure, construction, or strategic initiatives, with a demonstrated track record of delivering projects on time and within budget.
  • Solid understanding of financial planning, budgeting, detailed cost estimation, and financial reporting, with the ability to analyze and present complex financial information.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication, collaboration, and influencing skills, with the ability to build consensus and drive outcomes across diverse internal and external stakeholders.
  • High ownership and low ego, with a results-oriented approach. Highly detail-oriented, data-driven, discerning, and an incredibly fast learner who is tactical and doesn't solely operate at a 30,000-foot level.
• Education:
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or a related field; Master's degree or MBA preferred.
• Clearance:
  • Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret clearance.