The Opportunity - Senior Operations Manager

AURA Technologies is seeking a Senior Operations Manager to serve as the operational backbone of a growing government contractor that is actively scaling into the commercial market. This is a broad, hands-on role built on strong project management and a willingness to learn - someone who can set up the structure a scaling company needs, own it, and work hand in hand with internal teams and external partners to execute against it. The successful candidate must be located within commuting distance of our corporate office in Raleigh, North Carolina. It will be a full-time hybrid role.

You will run the day-to-day operational, HR, and administrative engine of the business, support the contracts and proposal lifecycle, and bring disciplined project management to initiatives across the company. You will also help advance AURA's compliance and security posture - including cybersecurity and CMMC readiness in partnership with our CIO/CTO and external MSP - and serve as a trusted backup to the EVP of Operations.

This role is equal parts strategic and tactical, and it is built for someone who sees a problem and owns it.

Due to Department of Defense contract requirements, candidates must be U.S. Citizens to be considered for this position.

What You Will Do

• Serve as the operational engine of the company - own day-to-day operations and bring strong project management to cross-functional initiatives, deadlines, and deliverables across both our government and commercial business.
• Oversee talent operations: track staffing requirements, coordinate recruiting, and manage new-hire onboarding and paperwork. Administer general HR processes in consult with Executive Operations and the EVP of Operations.
• Support the contracts lifecycle, including review, administration, tracking, and close-out for both government and commercial agreements, and support proposal development and coordination (compliance reviews, schedule management, costing inputs, and supporting documentation).
• Own companywide training, engagement, and recognition - delivering operational and required compliance training, closing gaps, running the employee recognition program, and driving company engagement.
• Own asset tracking and tagging, space allocation, telecommunications, and physical-space planning as the company expands.
• Project-manage IT and security initiatives in coordination with our external MSP and in partnership with the CIO/CTO - holding partners accountable to scope, schedule, and deliverables.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and continuity backup to Executive Operations on procurement, accounts payable, NDAs, and export compliance - areas owned by Executive Operations - providing oversight as necessary.
• Help advance AURA's compliance and security program - supporting government security compliance (security education and training, insider threat responsibilities, and required reporting in accordance with the NISPOM and DCSA) and CMMC Level 2/3 readiness, with support from our external MSP. Facility and personnel clearance support would be future state.
• Identify organizational gaps and inefficiencies and take action - building process, policy, and accountability into key areas to drive operational maturity as the company grows.
• Step into any function as needed. At a company our size, the Senior Operations Manager is the person who sees a problem and owns it, regardless of whose lane it technically falls in.

Requirements

• Strong project management skills, with a proven ability to run cross-functional initiatives and manage external vendors and partners (such as an MSP) to deliverables.
• 7+ years of progressive operations or business-management experience, ideally within a comparable organization.
• Experience across people operations and general HR - recruiting, onboarding, and supervising or developing staff.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and improve operational processes, and to translate requirements into repeatable policy and practice.
• A willingness and aptitude to learn new compliance, security, and regulatory domains quickly - you don't need to be an expert on day one, but you're eager to grow into them.
• Comfort partnering with technical stakeholders (e.g., a CIO/CTO and IT/MSP partners) and coordinating technical projects.
• Experience supporting contracts, proposals, and core operational functions (Travel & Expense, asset tracking, AR, facilities/space planning).
• Exceptional organizational and multitasking skills, with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities without dropping the ball.
• Sound judgment under ambiguity - you know when to act independently and when to escalate.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and SharePoint; comfort with project management, HR, and T&E systems.
• U.S. Citizenship required, with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance if needed.

Highly Desirable

• Relevant certifications (e.g., PMP, Security+, or comparable).
• Familiarity with both GovCon and commercial operating environments; experience in DoD space.
• Experience with Travel & Expense software (e.g., Concur), Smartsheet, and CRM tools.
• CMMC experience (preparation, assessment, or implementation) - though the right candidate can learn this on the job.
• Hands-on cybersecurity experience or familiarity with frameworks such as NIST 800-171, DFARS, or NIST 800-53.
• Experience administering a government security program, or completion of the DCSA FSO curriculum.
• Export control experience (ITAR/EAR).
• Active security clearance (Secret or above) is a plus but not required.

Why This Role

• Real ownership. You will set up structure, work with external partners, and shape how this company operates as it scales.
• AURA's portfolio spans cybersecurity, AI/ML, advanced engineering, and applied research for the Department of Defense and commercial markets. Your work directly enables the mission across all of it.
• Growth stage. AURA is a rapidly growing company with active government contracts, a robust R&D pipeline, and significant commercial potential. You will help build the operational and compliance infrastructure for the next phase.
• Research culture. AURA is an R&D company at heart. You will be surrounded by smart, driven people solving genuinely hard problems.

Benefits

• Fortune 500-level Health Care Coverage
• Unlimited Leave Program after 60 days
• 10 Paid Holidays & Paid Winter Break
• 401(k) Safe Harbor Contributions
• Employee Discount Program

To Apply

Submit your resume/CV in PDF format via instructions at the following link: http://aura.company/careers/

Write a carefully crafted, well-written cover letter that elaborates on your interest in this position and why you think you are the best candidate for the job. Submit your cover letter, CV and three professional references (one of which must be from a current or former supervisor) in PDF format ONLY via BambooHR.

Any attachments must be in PDF format or will not be opened due to virus concerns. No phone calls after submission. We will let candidates know via automated reply that we have received their resumes and will contact them if there is a good fit after the closing date for this job.