COO Jobs in San Diego, CA
COO jobs in San Diego are in strong demand, concentrated in Sorrento Valley, Downtown San Diego, and the UTC corridor across defense technology, biotech, and digital media. Employers actively hiring include Travere Therapeutics, Neurocrine Biosciences, and XiFin. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Are you looking for an opportunity to make a difference? At Mesa Labs we’re passionate about protecting the vulnerable by enabling scientific breakthroughs, ensuring product integrity, increasing patient and worker safety, and improving quality of life around the world.
At Mesa Labs we offer competitive wages, including potential bonus opportunities, equity awards, commission, and a comprehensive benefits package based on the position.
- In addition, you qualify for:
- Annual bonus opportunity of 22% based on company performance.
- Annual equity award of $30K.
Outstanding Benefits and Perks:
We are proud to offer a variety of benefits that meet the diverse needs of our employees:
- Eligible for benefits the first day of the month after you start
- Tiered Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance options, Health savings (HSA), healthcare & dependent care flexible spending (FSA) accounts
- Company paid short term and long-term disability (unless covered by a state disability plan)
- Company paid life insurance and AD&D
- Flexible Time Off Policy
- Paid sick leave of 48 hours per calendar year
- Eligible employees may receive four (4) weeks paid Care Giver leave after 1 year of service or in accordance with state leave laws
- 401(k) plan that provides a 4% Safe Harbor company match on a 4% employee contribution that begins on Day 1
- Employee Wellness and Financial Assistance Resources through Cigna and NY Life
- Nine (9) paid company holidays per year
Agena: Agena Bioscience® empowers research laboratories worldwide to deliver scalable targeted genomic data. Our open, advanced platform, the Mass ARRAY® System, provides researchers with insights through a highly multiplexed solution in the areas of mutation profiling, liquid biopsy, pharmacogenetics, and more.
Job Summary:
The Director of Operations serves as the senior operational leader for the site, responsible for Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Production Planning, Warehouse, Facilities, Operational Excellence, and the Quality and Regulatory organization. Reporting directly to the VP/General Manager of the business, this role is accountable for building a high-performing operation that delivers safe, compliant, efficient, and scalable manufacturing while supporting the company's strategic growth objectives.
This leader serves as a key member of the site leadership team, partnering closely with Engineering, Product Development, Product Management, Commercial, Finance, Regulatory Affairs, and Customer Support to translate business strategy into operational execution. The Director is responsible for balancing customer commitments, operational performance, financial objectives, and regulatory compliance while developing future leaders and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
What You'll Own
- Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership for Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Production Planning, Warehouse, Facilities, Operational Excellence, and the Quality organization.
- Lead and develop the Quality Manager, Manufacturing Manager, Warehouse Manager, Supply Chain Team, and future operational leaders while building organizational capability and succession plans.
- Own operational performance across safety, quality, delivery, inventory, productivity, cost, and customer satisfaction.
- Develop and execute annual operating plans, workforce strategies, and operational roadmaps aligned with business objectives.
- Lead Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), capacity planning, inventory strategy, and resource planning to support revenue commitments and business growth.
- Drive manufacturing readiness for new product introductions, engineering changes, manufacturing transfers, and product lifecycle management.
- Partner with Engineering, R&D, Product Management, Commercial, Regulatory Affairs, and Finance to remove operational constraints, improve product manufacturability, and support commercialization efforts.
- Build strong partnerships across functions to resolve complex operational challenges while balancing customer needs, business priorities, and regulatory requirements.
- Lead capital planning and operational investment decisions that improve quality, capacity, efficiency, automation, and long-term scalability.
- Champion Lean Manufacturing, Daily Management, problem-solving disciplines, and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the organization.
- Utilize and own operational metrics and business analytics to identify trends, prioritize improvement opportunities, and drive fact-based decision making.
- Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, quality systems, safety standards, and internal policies.
- Serve as the operational escalation point for significant customer, quality, supply chain, and manufacturing issues.
- Build an engaged, accountable culture that emphasizes leadership development, collaboration, ownership, and operational excellence.
What Success Looks Like
- Consistently delivers safety, quality, delivery, inventory, productivity, and financial objectives.
- Develops an integrated Operations and Quality organization that operates as one team with shared accountability.
- Creates scalable manufacturing systems capable of supporting business growth and future product expansion.
- Successfully supports new product introductions and manufacturing transfers with minimal disruption to customers.
- Builds strong cross-functional partnerships that improve execution across Engineering, Commercial, Product Management, Quality, Regulatory, and Finance.
- Develops future leaders through coaching, succession planning, and talent development.
- Drives a culture where continuous improvement, accountability, and data-driven decision making become standard operating practice.
- Identifies and mitigates operational risks before they impact customers or business performance.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Business, or a related technical discipline required. Master's degree preferred.
- 10+ years of progressive manufacturing or operations leadership experience, including responsibility for multiple operational functions.
- Demonstrated success leading Operations and Quality organizations within a regulated manufacturing environment.
- Experience supporting product commercialization, new product introduction, manufacturing transfers, and production scaling.
- Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, capacity planning, inventory management, and production systems.
- Proven ability to build high-performing teams, coach leaders, and drive organizational change.
- Strong financial acumen with experience managing operating budgets, capital investments, and productivity initiatives.
- Excellent executive communication and cross-functional leadership skills with the ability to influence across all levels of the organization.
- Lean Manufacturing experience required; Six Sigma certification preferred.
- Medical device, diagnostics, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or life sciences manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
Leadership Competencies
- Strategic thinker capable of connecting operational execution to business objectives.
- Builds trust and influence across cross-functional teams.
- Makes timely, data-driven decisions in complex environments.
- Develops people and creates strong succession pipelines.
- Leads through change with resilience and accountability.
- Creates clarity, alignment, and execution across multiple priorities.
- Maintains a customer-first mindset while balancing quality, cost, delivery, and compliance.
Work Environment
Primarily onsite within a regulated manufacturing and laboratory environment with occasional domestic travel.
Mesa Labs is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
Mesa Labs prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment against applicants or employees based on age, race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, disability, military status, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law. Please note that Mesa Labs conducts criminal background checks upon offer acceptance.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
Are you looking for an opportunity to make a difference? At Mesa Labs we’re passionate about protecting the vulnerable by enabling scientific breakthroughs, ensuring product integrity, increasing patient and worker safety, and improving quality of life around the world.
At Mesa Labs we offer competitive wages, including potential bonus opportunities, equity awards, commission, and a comprehensive benefits package based on the position.
- In addition, you qualify for:
- Annual bonus opportunity of 22% based on company performance.
- Annual equity award of $30K.
Outstanding Benefits and Perks:
We are proud to offer a variety of benefits that meet the diverse needs of our employees:
- Eligible for benefits the first day of the month after you start
- Tiered Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance options, Health savings (HSA), healthcare & dependent care flexible spending (FSA) accounts
- Company paid short term and long-term disability (unless covered by a state disability plan)
- Company paid life insurance and AD&D
- Flexible Time Off Policy
- Paid sick leave of 48 hours per calendar year
- Eligible employees may receive four (4) weeks paid Care Giver leave after 1 year of service or in accordance with state leave laws
- 401(k) plan that provides a 4% Safe Harbor company match on a 4% employee contribution that begins on Day 1
- Employee Wellness and Financial Assistance Resources through Cigna and NY Life
- Nine (9) paid company holidays per year
Agena: Agena Bioscience® empowers research laboratories worldwide to deliver scalable targeted genomic data. Our open, advanced platform, the Mass ARRAY® System, provides researchers with insights through a highly multiplexed solution in the areas of mutation profiling, liquid biopsy, pharmacogenetics, and more.
Job Summary:
The Director of Operations serves as the senior operational leader for the site, responsible for Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Production Planning, Warehouse, Facilities, Operational Excellence, and the Quality and Regulatory organization. Reporting directly to the VP/General Manager of the business, this role is accountable for building a high-performing operation that delivers safe, compliant, efficient, and scalable manufacturing while supporting the company's strategic growth objectives.
This leader serves as a key member of the site leadership team, partnering closely with Engineering, Product Development, Product Management, Commercial, Finance, Regulatory Affairs, and Customer Support to translate business strategy into operational execution. The Director is responsible for balancing customer commitments, operational performance, financial objectives, and regulatory compliance while developing future leaders and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
What You'll Own
- Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership for Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Production Planning, Warehouse, Facilities, Operational Excellence, and the Quality organization.
- Lead and develop the Quality Manager, Manufacturing Manager, Warehouse Manager, Supply Chain Team, and future operational leaders while building organizational capability and succession plans.
- Own operational performance across safety, quality, delivery, inventory, productivity, cost, and customer satisfaction.
- Develop and execute annual operating plans, workforce strategies, and operational roadmaps aligned with business objectives.
- Lead Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), capacity planning, inventory strategy, and resource planning to support revenue commitments and business growth.
- Drive manufacturing readiness for new product introductions, engineering changes, manufacturing transfers, and product lifecycle management.
- Partner with Engineering, R&D, Product Management, Commercial, Regulatory Affairs, and Finance to remove operational constraints, improve product manufacturability, and support commercialization efforts.
- Build strong partnerships across functions to resolve complex operational challenges while balancing customer needs, business priorities, and regulatory requirements.
- Lead capital planning and operational investment decisions that improve quality, capacity, efficiency, automation, and long-term scalability.
- Champion Lean Manufacturing, Daily Management, problem-solving disciplines, and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the organization.
- Utilize and own operational metrics and business analytics to identify trends, prioritize improvement opportunities, and drive fact-based decision making.
- Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, quality systems, safety standards, and internal policies.
- Serve as the operational escalation point for significant customer, quality, supply chain, and manufacturing issues.
- Build an engaged, accountable culture that emphasizes leadership development, collaboration, ownership, and operational excellence.
What Success Looks Like
- Consistently delivers safety, quality, delivery, inventory, productivity, and financial objectives.
- Develops an integrated Operations and Quality organization that operates as one team with shared accountability.
- Creates scalable manufacturing systems capable of supporting business growth and future product expansion.
- Successfully supports new product introductions and manufacturing transfers with minimal disruption to customers.
- Builds strong cross-functional partnerships that improve execution across Engineering, Commercial, Product Management, Quality, Regulatory, and Finance.
- Develops future leaders through coaching, succession planning, and talent development.
- Drives a culture where continuous improvement, accountability, and data-driven decision making become standard operating practice.
- Identifies and mitigates operational risks before they impact customers or business performance.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Business, or a related technical discipline required. Master's degree preferred.
- 10+ years of progressive manufacturing or operations leadership experience, including responsibility for multiple operational functions.
- Demonstrated success leading Operations and Quality organizations within a regulated manufacturing environment.
- Experience supporting product commercialization, new product introduction, manufacturing transfers, and production scaling.
- Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, capacity planning, inventory management, and production systems.
- Proven ability to build high-performing teams, coach leaders, and drive organizational change.
- Strong financial acumen with experience managing operating budgets, capital investments, and productivity initiatives.
- Excellent executive communication and cross-functional leadership skills with the ability to influence across all levels of the organization.
- Lean Manufacturing experience required; Six Sigma certification preferred.
- Medical device, diagnostics, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or life sciences manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
Leadership Competencies
- Strategic thinker capable of connecting operational execution to business objectives.
- Builds trust and influence across cross-functional teams.
- Makes timely, data-driven decisions in complex environments.
- Develops people and creates strong succession pipelines.
- Leads through change with resilience and accountability.
- Creates clarity, alignment, and execution across multiple priorities.
- Maintains a customer-first mindset while balancing quality, cost, delivery, and compliance.
Work Environment
Primarily onsite within a regulated manufacturing and laboratory environment with occasional domestic travel.
Mesa Labs is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
Mesa Labs prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment against applicants or employees based on age, race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, disability, military status, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law. Please note that Mesa Labs conducts criminal background checks upon offer acceptance.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
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Find COO JobsCOO Job Market in San Diego
Who's Hiring
- Travere Therapeutics42
- Neurocrine Biosciences42
- XiFin21
- Zipdev21
- MedImpact21
Top Industries Hiring
- Sports & Recreation
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
COO Jobs in San Diego: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a coo job in San Diego?
The clearest path is targeting San Diego's most active hiring sectors: defense technology, biotech, and digital media companies clustered in Sorrento Valley and the UTC corridor. Candidates who stand out here typically have direct P&L ownership experience and familiarity with the operational demands of scaling a mid-market or venture-backed company. Building relationships with the region's active startup and investor community also opens doors that job boards alone won't.
Which companies hire coos in San Diego?
Companies currently hiring coos in San Diego include Travere Therapeutics, Neurocrine Biosciences, and XiFin, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. San Diego's hiring mix leans toward growth-stage technology firms, life sciences companies, and defense contractors, many of which promote from senior VP or general manager roles into the coo seat.
Are there remote coo jobs in San Diego?
Yes, though remote availability is limited for this role since coos typically oversee day-to-day operations that require in-person presence. About 69% of coo openings tied to San Diego are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with hybrid arrangements most common at digital media and software companies headquartered downtown or in the UTC area.
How can I get a coo job in San Diego with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving up through a director of operations or VP of operations role at one of San Diego's mid-size biotech or defense tech firms, where operational complexity creates clear promotion pipelines. Companies in the Torrey Pines and Sorrento Valley corridors frequently hire operations managers who grow into senior leadership. Demonstrated experience owning a budget, managing cross-functional teams, and improving measurable processes carries more weight than tenure alone.
Which industries hire the most coos in San Diego?
The sectors hiring the most coos in San Diego are Sports & Recreation and Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. San Diego's deep concentration of defense contractors, life sciences firms, and venture-backed technology companies creates consistent demand for operational executives who can manage complex, regulated, or rapidly scaling businesses.
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