Director of Operations - North America Rail Manufacturing
Location: Sacramento, CA (Relocation Available - National Search)
Lead one of the most advanced rail manufacturing operations in North America.
At Siemens Mobility, we are not just building trains—we are shaping the future of transportation. From the first mile to the last, our technologies power more sustainable, connected, and reliable mobility solutions across North America.
Nowhere is that more visible than at our Sacramento facility—a flagship manufacturing hub employing 2,000+ people, where innovation, scale, and operational excellence come together to deliver the next generation of passenger locomotives, coaches, and light rail vehicles.
This is your opportunity to step into a defining leadership role—one that sits at the heart of our operations and directly influences how we scale, optimize, and transform manufacturing for the future.
The Role: Ownership at Scale
This is not a functional leadership role—it’s full operational ownership.
As Director of Operations, you will partner directly with the Vice President of Operations to lead a significant portion of our manufacturing organization—driving output, efficiency, cost performance, and continuous improvement across a complex, multi-line production environment.
You will lead large, diverse teams, own critical production metrics, and play a key role in advancing lean manufacturing principles, digital transformation, and operational scalability at one of Siemens Mobility’s most important North American sites.
Why This Role Matters Now
Flagship site impact: Lead operations at a core North American manufacturing hub central to Siemens Mobility’s growth
Scale & complexity: Operate within a high-volume, full-lifecycle production environment supporting multiple rolling stock programs
Transformation journey: Accelerate the integration of automation, digitalization, and smart factory capabilities
* Market tailwinds: Play a leadership role in a business positioned for long-term growth driven by rail investment, infrastructure modernization, and sustainability initiatives across the U.S.
What You’ll Own
Operational leadership at scale
Oversee day-to-day manufacturing operations across assigned areas—ensuring performance, safety, quality, and delivery targets are achieved
Cost, production, and efficiency accountability
Drive cost optimization, productivity improvements, and resource utilization across labor, materials, and equipment
Large team leadership
Lead, develop, and scale a high-performing organization—building leadership capability and strengthening engagement across front-line and management teams
Lean manufacturing & continuous improvement
Champion lean principles, operational discipline, and structured problem-solving to drive measurable improvements in throughput and efficiency
Digital manufacturing & innovation
Identify and implement opportunities to integrate automation, digitization, and advanced technologies across production processes
Cross-functional execution
Partner with engineering, supply chain, quality, and logistics to ensure smooth execution of production programs and operational strategies
Strategic alignment & planning
Translate business strategy into executable operational plans—aligning workforce planning, capacity, and investments with long-term growth
Performance visibility
Deliver clear, data-driven reporting on key operational metrics to senior leadership, driving accountability and informed decision-making
What You Bring
You are a proven manufacturing leader who thrives in large-scale, complex environments and is energized by both operational execution and transformation.
Required:
* 15+ years of experience in rail manufacturing
10+ years in progressive leadership roles, managing large teams and/or multi-layered organizations
Demonstrated success leading high-volume production environments with cost, output, and quality accountability
Strong experience in lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or operational excellence frameworks
Ability to lead in complex, matrixed organizations with multiple stakeholders
Bachelor’s degree (engineering, operations, business, or related field)
What sets you apart:
Experience driving digital or smart factory initiatives
Background in transportation, heavy manufacturing, or capital-intensive industries
Proven ability to scale operations during periods of rapid growth or transformation
Strong executive presence with the ability to influence at all levels
What We Offer
https://www.benefitsquickstart.com/siemens/index.html
Competitive executive-level compensation (aligned to experience and scope)
Annual incentive program
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits starting Day 1
401(k) with company match
Tuition reimbursement and leadership development programs
Relocation support for top candidates (national search)
The opportunity to lead within a globally recognized, innovation-driven organization
You should be proficient in: