About Observable Space

At Observable Space, we're redefining how humanity observes and connects with the universe. We're a vertically integrated, high-growth, space technology company building industry-leading precision optics platforms for Earth and in space. Our systems are trusted by thousands of customers, including NASA, JPL, SpaceX, Boeing, RTX, the US Space Force and the U.S. Department of War, leading research institutions and international partners.

We combine precision opto-mechanical hardware, embedded compute, cloud orchestration, and developer-friendly APIs into world class products at scale with in-house manufacturing. From advanced ground stations, on-orbit sensor suites, free space optical lasercom, to distributed compute platforms, we deliver the foundational systems enabling continuous, real-time navigation, observation, and communication in space.

Observable Space is backed by top-tier institutional investors including Lux Capital, Upfront Ventures, RTX Ventures, Detroit Venture Partners and Embedded Ventures. To learn more, visit observable.space.

About the Role

We are looking for a Business Operations Manager to build the planning, measurement, and operational systems that enable Observable Space to scale. Our planning and reporting processes today are manual and rapidly evolving. This role will help establish the metrics, planning processes, and systems infrastructure that give leadership visibility into operations and enable better decision making as we grow.

This is a hands-on builder role reporting directly to the VP of Operations. You will work closely with Manufacturing, Sourcing, Sales, Managed Services, and Finance to align planning across the business, bring quantitative rigor to key decisions, and develop the operational capabilities needed to support our next stage of growth.

What You'll Do

Quantitative Analysis & Continuous Improvement

Build and maintain the company's core operational metrics and reporting (e.g., throughput, yield, cycle time, WIP, on-time delivery, labor productivity, inventory health, and cost per unit)

Build dashboards and executive reporting that provide visibility into operational performance and support data-driven decision making

Drive continuous improvement efforts by identifying bottlenecks, supporting root-cause analyses, and measuring the impact of operational changes over time

Evaluate major capital investments and equipment purchases through financial and operational business cases

Conduct ad hoc quantitative analyses across the business, including pricing and cost analyses, market assessments, and other strategic initiatives

Planning

Build and maintain forecasting and capacity planning processes across manufacturing and operations

Develop long-range operational plans that balance demand, manufacturing capacity, inventory, and resource constraints

Support site, facility, and manufacturing footprint expansion, evaluating cost, capacity, timeline, and risk tradeoffs

Systems Roadmap

Help shape our long-term operations systems roadmap, including ERP, reporting, and planning capabilities

Maximize the value of Global Shop Solutions (GSS) while identifying opportunities to improve reporting, forecasting, and operational workflows

Develop interim reporting and planning solutions where existing systems fall short

Evaluate build-versus-buy tradeoffs and recommend pragmatic, scalable systems that support long-term growth

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner closely with Manufacturing, Sourcing & Logistics, Sales, Managed Services, Finance, and Engineering to keep priorities, commitments, and execution aligned across the business

Support high-impact cross-functional operational initiatives with structured analysis and decision support

Serve as a trusted thought partner to operational leaders, supporting high-impact cross-functional initiatives and decisions with structured analysis

Travel

Regular travel to Detroit, MI facility

What You'll Bring

5+ years of experience in business operations, manufacturing, strategy, consulting or a related analytical role, ideally supporting a hardware/manufacturing environment, with experience partnering with or influencing senior stakeholders