General Manager – Duarte, CA

Element has an opportunity for a General Manager, Aerospace Testing to lead all laboratory testing operations and certification activities at our Duarte, CA location. Reporting to the regional Vice President, this role is responsible for ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely execution of all testing services in alignment with aerospace and customer standards.

This position requires a strong technical and operational leader focused on quality, throughput, and compliance, ensuring the integrity of all test results and reports.

Salary: $140,000 – 175,000/ year DOE + Management Bonus Plan 

Responsibilities:

• Champion a culture of Safety, Compliance, Inclusion and Respect across the Operation in line with Element Purpose and Values.
• Lead all laboratory testing functions, including: Mechanical, Electrical, and Flammability testing of composites and other non-metallic materials.
• Lead and develop a team of laboratory Supervisors, Engineers, and Technicians to support Customer Delight.
• Provide clear direction, mentorship, and accountability, ensuring alignment with company goals and values.
• Ensure adherence to customer and industry approved methods, specifications, and procedures
• Drive efficient utilization of equipment, personnel, and lab capacity
• Certification & Technical Integrity
• Own and exceed financial performance targets, including revenue, EBITDA, working capital, and cash flow.
• Maintain technical credibility with key Aerospace, Space and Defense clients (e.g., Boeing, LHM, NGC, SpaceX, Blue Origin etc).
• Execute and uphold compliance with ISO 17025, Nadcap and customer-specific requirements
• Partner with Quality to ensure audit readiness and timely CAPA.
• Deliver against site operational targets for Delivery, Turnaround Time, Productivity
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and reduce rework
• Provide clear direction, performance management, and accountability
• Ensure operational efficiency and workforce productivity through proactive planning, resource allocation, and continuous improvement
• Drive team engagement and professional growth through coaching, training, and career development opportunities.
• Set and monitor performance goals, conduct regular reviews, and recognize achievement.
• Encourage collaboration, open communication, and a continuous improvement mindset throughout the organization.
• Maintain high morale and retention through transparent leadership and effective workforce planning.
• Partner with Sales and Account teams to support customer retention and growth
• Ensure full compliance with Element policies and applicable local, state, and federal regulations 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Materials Science, or related field
• 8–12+ years of operations leadership experience
• Experience in manufacturing, laboratory, or aerospace environment preferred
• Strong background in workflow management, planning, and customer-facing operation
• Strong organizational, problem-solving and conflict resolution skills to effectively establish and maintain two-way communications to understand the needs and concerns of all departments
• Proven track record of driving profitability, improving EBITDA 

Element is one of the fastest growing testing, inspection and certification businesses in the world. Globally we have more than 9,000 brilliant minds operating from 270 sites across 30 countries. Together we share an ambitious purpose to ‘Make tomorrow safer than today’.

When failure in use is not an option, we help customers make certain that their products, materials, processes and services are safe, compliant and fit for purpose. From early R&D, through complex regulatory approvals and into production, our global laboratory network of scientists, engineers, and technologists support customers to achieve assurance over product quality, sustainable outcomes, and market access.

While we are proud of our global reach, working at Element feels like being part of a smaller company. We empower you to take charge of your career, and reward excellence and integrity with growth and development.

Industries across the world depend on our care, attention to detail and the absolute accuracy of our work. The role we have to play in creating a safer world is much bigger than our organization.

At Element, we always take pride in putting our people first. We are an equal opportunity employer that recognizes diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our Vision of becoming “the world’s most trusted testing partner”.

All suitably qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective work related criteria and without regard for the following: age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, race, religion, responsibility of dependents, sexual orientation, or gender identity or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws.

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c) 

“If you need an accommodation filling out an application, or applying to a job,  please email

Recruitment@element.com