Aerospace & Defense

Hire a Veteran Operations Manager

Aerospace and defense manufacturers, MRO shops, and primes run on precision, documentation, and mission discipline — exactly how the military operates. LockLeed places veterans who already live those standards into direct-hire A&D roles across the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota.

The Role

What a Operations Manager Owns

  • Own daily execution, safety, quality, and productivity for a site or department
  • Lead, staff, and develop front-line supervisors and teams
  • Plan and resource against demand, budget, and KPIs
  • Drive continuous improvement and root-cause problem solving

Typical Twin Cities compensation (approximate — verify current figures): $85,000 – $150,000, depending on scope, sector, and experience.

Military Fit

Backgrounds that map to this role

Senior NCOs and officers across branches — Army 1SG/MSG/SGM, 92A/88N; Navy Chief Petty Officers; Marine 0369/0491; Air Force flight chiefs and superintendents.

Why veterans excel in Aerospace & Defense

  • Veterans arrive fluent in configuration control, safety-of-flight standards, and unforgiving documentation.
  • Many have hands-on time on the exact platforms and systems your programs support.
  • Security-minded, drug-free, and used to being audited — a natural fit for regulated production.
How It Works

From Requisition to First Slate

01
Step One

Requirements Brief

We learn the role, the team, the must-haves, and what “great” looks like for you.

02
Step Two

Source & Screen

We tap our veteran network, screen against your spec, and run a structured LockLeed interview.

03
Step Three

Vetted Shortlist

You get 2–4 vetted finalists with our written endorsement — typically a first slate in 5–10 business days.

04
Step Four

Hire & Guarantee

When your candidate accepts the offer, we invoice the placement fee. The Search Engagement Fee that started your search is credited in full toward it. Every placement carries a replacement guarantee.

Questions

Operations Manager Hiring FAQ

What military backgrounds make a good Operations Manager?

Senior NCOs and officers across branches — Army 1SG/MSG/SGM, 92A/88N; Navy Chief Petty Officers; Marine 0369/0491; Air Force flight chiefs and superintendents.

How fast can LockLeed present Operations Manager candidates?

For most roles we deliver a first slate of 2-4 vetted finalists within 5-10 business days of the requirements brief.

What does it cost to hire through LockLeed?

A Search Engagement Fee starts the search and is credited in full toward the placement fee, which is invoiced when your candidate accepts the offer. Fees vary by client and role, and we walk you through every fee before you sign the agreement. Every placement carries a replacement guarantee. It is always free for the candidate.

Do you place Operations Managers outside the Twin Cities?

We are based in Minneapolis and focused on Minnesota and the surrounding region, with a national veteran network we can tap for the right search.

Get Started

Hire Veteran Talent That Delivers

Tell us the role and we'll bring you a vetted shortlist. A Search Engagement Fee starts the search and is credited in full toward the placement fee.