Senior Director, ATDM Operations & Engineering - The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research : Job Details

Senior Director, ATDM Operations & Engineering

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Senior Director, ATDM Operations & Engineering

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Job DetailsATDM National Training Center - Danville, VA Contractor 4 Year Degree Up to 25% Any EducationDescriptionDue to the nature of the work performed, only U.S. citizens will be considered for this position. This role is not eligible for remote work and will be based onsite in Danville, Virginia.About IALRThe Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation. The mission will be accomplished through applied research, advanced learning, economic development, advanced manufacturing, and conference services. Driving Economic Transformation is at the heart of everything we do at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. WE discover breakthroughs, create opportunity, grow innovation, power progress, and host greatness. Each of our divisions plays a critical role in preserving and delivering this mission daily.About The RoleThe Senior Director, ATDM Operations & Engineering, provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all technical training programs within the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) initiative. This role is responsible for managing a cross-functional team of Engineering Managers and Shift Managers across multiple disciplines, including CNC Machining, Additive Manufacturing, Welding, Nondestructive Testing (NDT), Metrology, and ISO Standards.The Senior Director ensures consistent instructional quality, safety, and operational efficiency across all training shifts and technical areas. This position leads efforts to scale ATDM's operations, improve student throughput, and align program delivery with Department of Defense workforce readiness standards. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of technical education, manufacturing processes, and large-scale program management.Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and leadership to leaders overseeing CNC, AM, Welding, NDT, and Metrology/ISO programs.
• Direct day-to-day operations of ATDM's technical training delivery, ensuring alignment with instructional goals, safety standards, and workforce outcomes.
• Manage and monitor staffing, scheduling, and training coordination across multiple shifts to support consistent, high-quality instruction.
• Collaborate with ATDM leadership to evaluate program effectiveness, implement continuous improvement initiatives, and support workforce development goals.
• Oversee capital equipment planning, procurement, and maintenance to support training scalability and technical innovation.
• Partner with cross-functional teams, including Student Services, Curriculum Development, and Technology Integration, to support program operations.
• Facilitate communication and coordination across instructional teams to ensure standardization, alignment, and instructional fidelity.
• Lead and mentor direct reports, including the Engineering Managers and ATDM Shift Managers, fostering professional development and high performance.
• Monitor program metrics, including student throughput, lab readiness, safety compliance, and instructor effectiveness.
• Represent the ATDM program with external stakeholders, including government, industry, and educational partners, as needed.

Work LocationWe are looking for staff to work onsite in Danville, VA.QualificationsThe Ideal Candidate

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Technology, Operations Management, or a related field required; master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in technical training, manufacturing operations, or workforce development.
• At least 3 years of experience in a senior management or director-level role with direct oversight of staff and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated knowledge of advanced manufacturing technologies and DoD-aligned workforce development.
• Strong leadership, project management, and organizational skills.
• Experience managing large-scale training or production environments is highly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in defense manufacturing or working with DoD-aligned training initiatives.
• Familiarity with ISO, NIMS, AWS, ASNT, and similar industry standards.
• Experience with performance metrics, data-driven decision-making, and process improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).

Essential Physical Requirements

• Must be able to operate and manipulate a keyboard.
• Must be able to move from building to building, with limited travel.
• Light physical work may be required.
• Some travel may be required.

Salary & BenefitsIALR will offer salary that is commensurate with your experience. IALR offers unique career opportunities in an innovative environment, all to support the economic transformation of Southern Virginia. Eligible employees are afforded excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage with lower-than-expected costs and participate in the Virginia Retirement System to save for their future.IALR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact [email protected]. Requests will be kept confidential and handled in accordance with applicable laws.

Seniority level

• Seniority levelDirector

Employment type

• Employment typeFull-time

Job function

• Job functionManagement and Manufacturing
• IndustriesHigher Education

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