Operations Project Manager (Manufacturing Launch)

Our client, Moodro (https://moodro.net), is a rapidly growing defense technology company developing autonomous counter-UAS solutions designed to operate in real combat conditions and support frontline units.

Key facts about the company

• Moodro systems are actively used by combat units in operational environments
• The company has already delivered a significant number of electronic warfare (EW) and signals intelligence (SIGINT) stations to the field
• Its technologies have received official NATO codification and validation from relevant operational units
• The team includes veterans and engineers who regularly test and refine solutions in real field conditions

About the Role

We are seeking a highly capable Operations Project Manager to lead the end-to-end launch of a new manufacturing and operational facility in the United States. This role is responsible for building operational infrastructure from the ground up and serving as the central coordination point between internal teams, external vendors, and business functions across both the U.S. and Ukraine. 

This is a foundational role in a fast-moving startup environment and requires a strong builder mindset, excellent execution capability, and comfort operating in ambiguity.

This position will require approximately 10% domestic and international travel to support cross-functional coordination, site readiness, and stakeholder alignment. 

Key Responsibilities

1. Greenfield Operations Setup (Facility Launch)

• Lead the identification, evaluation, and setup of an operational/manufacturing site in the U.S.
• Coordinate build-out, layout planning, and readiness of the facility for production activities
• Manage relationships with contractors, vendors, landlords, and service providers
• Oversee installation of basic infrastructure (equipment setup, utilities, workspace organization)
• Ensure operational readiness for initial production or assembly activities

2. Administrative & Legal Coordination

• Support company setup and regulatory compliance activities in the U.S. (state and federal requirements)
• Coordinate business registrations, permits, and operational licensing as required
• Manage contract lifecycle with vendors and service providers (drafting support, review coordination, execution tracking)
• Ensure compliance with local operational, labor, and safety requirements

3. Budget & Financial Coordination (Operational Level)

• Track and manage operational expenditures related to facility setup and early operations
• Maintain budget visibility across vendors, contractors, and project phases
• Collaborate with finance/accounting teams on invoicing, payments, and reporting
• Flag risks related to cost overruns and support corrective actions

4. HR & Early Team Formation Support

• Support recruitment of first operational and production hires
• Coordinate onboarding processes and initial employee integration
• Assist in defining basic operational roles and responsibilities on-site
• Ensure smooth transition of new hires into operational workflows

5. Cross-Functional & International Coordination

• Act as the primary coordination point between U.S. operations and Ukraine-based leadership/teams
• Translate business priorities into actionable operational tasks across geographies
• Track execution timelines and ensure accountability across stakeholders
• Proactively identify blockers and drive resolution in real time
• Maintain clear and structured communication across all involved teams

Required Qualifications & Experience

• 3–7 years of experience in operations, project management, or startup/industrial launch environments
• Proven track record of launching operations, facilities, or new business units from scratch (greenfield experience strongly preferred)
• Experience working in small to mid-sized companies or high-growth startups
• Hands-on operational execution mindset (not purely strategic or advisory)
• Experience coordinating multiple stakeholders, including contractors, vendors, and internal teams
• Familiarity with basic legal, administrative, and compliance processes in operational setups
• Strong organizational and project management skills

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong execution and ownership mindset (“get things done” attitude)
• Comfort operating in uncertainty and rapidly changing environments
• Excellent cross-functional communication and coordination skills
• Strong problem-solving ability with practical, resourceful thinking
• High attention to detail combined with ability to see the big picture
• Ability to manage multiple parallel workstreams simultaneously
• Strong documentation and process discipline
• Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., Notion, Asana, Jira, or similar)

Language Requirements (Mandatory)

• Fluent English — required for daily communication with customers, military end-users, partners, manufacturers, and integrators in the United States
• Fluent Ukrainian  — required for effective communication with the R&D team in Ukraine

ITAR Regulations (Mandatory)

In compliance with U.S. export control regulations, applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (green card holders), or be eligible to obtain authorization from the U.S. Department of State as required for access to controlled technologies. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing, electronics assembly, hardware, or industrial operations
• Exposure to U.S. regulatory or operational environments
• Experience working in distributed international teams (e.g., U.S.–Europe or U.S.–Eastern Europe coordination)
• Basic understanding of HR onboarding processes and early-stage team building
• Familiarity with vendor-heavy operational environments (construction, facilities, equipment setup)