Engineering Jobs in Cody

Gunwerks

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Location: Cody, Wyoming (On-site; relocation required)

Reports to: CEO (Aaron Davidson)

CEO retains: Brand + Product Vision

COO owns: Everything else ….Day-to-day operations, systems, and execution

About Gunwerks

Gunwerks is a premium, high-performance hunting and precision rifle company built around craftsmanship, engineering excellence, and uncompromising quality. We design and deliver complete, high-end shooting systems for discerning customers who demand reliability and accuracy in real-world conditions.

The brand is defined by precision, performance, and pride in the build—paired with a commitment to continually improve both the product and the customer experience.

Gunwerks is transitioning from founder-driven excellence to system-driven scalability. The COO will be central to that evolution.

Role Summary

Gunwerks is seeking a hands-on, systems-driven Chief Operating Officer to run day-to-day operations and install durable execution discipline across the organization.

This role is responsible for:

• Building a scalable operating system
• Improving workforce throughput and labor productivity
• Installing accountability across leaders
• Reducing turnover through better structure and standards
• Creating durable training and documentation systems
• Ensuring compliance rigor in a regulated industry

The COO enables the CEO to focus on brand, product development, and vision by owning operational execution end-to-end.

This is an on-site leadership role in Cody, Wyoming. Relocation is required.

Primary Mandate

Run the business operating system so plans turn into execution—on time, with quality, and with accountability.

Build systems that endure beyond personalities.

Core Responsibilities

1) Install the Operating System & Accountability Cadence

• Implement a practical weekly operating rhythm (scorecard, priorities, issue log, decision tracking).
• Translate strategy into quarterly priorities with owners, milestones, and dates.
• Build accountability into the system: commitments, standards, and follow-through.
• Ensure issues are surfaced, solved, and closed—not revisited repeatedly.

2) Own Operations Execution End-to-End

• Run manufacturing, supply chain, scheduling, capacity planning, quality, and delivery.
• Create predictable production performance with minimal surprises.
• Drive continuous improvement that sticks (disciplined routines vs. short-term programs).
• Increase output per labor hour while protecting quality standards.

3) Engineering Execution Discipline

(COO owns execution discipline; CEO retains product vision.)

• Install structured development milestones and change-control rigor.
• Prevent scope creep and missed launch commitments.
• Ensure engineering outputs translate cleanly into manufacturable processes.
• Strengthen documentation between Engineering and Production.
• Drive accountability for delivery timelines and cross-functional handoffs.

Engineering must be predictable—not personality-driven.

4) Compliance & Regulatory Rigor

Gunwerks operates in a regulated environment. The COO will:

• Own operational compliance systems (including ATF traceability and documentation integrity).
• Ensure serialized controls and production documentation are audit-ready.
• Establish revision control across SOPs and technical documentation.
• Reduce regulatory risk through proactive systems—not reactive correction.

Compliance must be institutionalized.

5) Fix Throughput & Frontline Productivity

• Diagnose and eliminate productivity inhibitors (low utilization, weak supervision, unclear standards).
• Install frontline management “standard work.”
• Create visible performance tracking and expectations.
• Increase labor effectiveness without proportional headcount growth.

6) Facilities & Operational Environment Standard

The Gunwerks facility must reflect the premium brand.

The COO will:

• Implement and sustain daily discipline.
• Eliminate cluttered workspaces and unmanaged material flow.
• Install visual management standards.
• Create an environment that signals craftsmanship, order, and control.

Operational discipline must be visible.

7) Build Training & Documented Systems

• Create a documented operating system across training, SOPs, engineering documentation, and compliance controls.
• Reduce tribal knowledge dependency.
• Accelerate onboarding and competency development.
• Design systems that produce measurable results years from now—not just this quarter.

8) Build the People & Retention System

• Reduce turnover through structural improvements beyond pay.
• Install role clarity and advancement paths (including mastery tracks for craftspeople).
• Strengthen supervisor capability and performance management.
• Ensure underperformance is addressed promptly and fairly.

Measures of Success

• Meaningful improvement in throughput and labor productivity.
• Improved quality outcomes and fewer rework/defect issues.
• Material reduction in turnover.
• Engineering projects delivered on time.
• Clean compliance audits and documentation integrity.
• Operating cadence runs reliably.
• CEO leverage increases (fewer operational escalations).

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Proven operator and systems builder in a founder-led or high-growth environment.
• Strong manufacturing/shop-floor leadership experience.
• Experience in regulated manufacturing (firearms, aerospace, defense, medical, or similar).
• Demonstrated history of improving throughput and labor efficiency.
• Detail-oriented and systems-obsessed.
• Builds simple systems people actually follow.
• Calm, decisive, and comfortable enforcing standards.
• Willing to relocate and lead on-site.

First 90 Days

Days 1–30: Diagnose & Baseline

• Baseline throughput, quality, turnover drivers, compliance risk, and documentation gaps.
• Clarify decision rights and escalation guardrails with CEO.

Days 31–60: Install Cadence & Frontline Routines

• Launch weekly execution rhythm.
• Implement supervisor standard work and shop-floor visibility.
• Identify compliance/documentation risks.

Days 61–90: System Build & Early Wins

• Roll out structured training and core documentation improvements.
• Present 6–12 month operating improvement plan with measurable targets.

Working Contract with CEO

• Agreement is optional; commitment is mandatory once a decision is made.
• Debate in private; align in public.
• Direct communication. No politics.

Job Title : Nuclear Engineer (Naval Reactors Engineer) Category / Component : Officer • Active Overview Design, regulate, and oversee the Navy's nuclear propulsion program, including reactor design, fleet operations, and eventual defueling and decommissioning of nuclear powered ships and submarines from Naval Reactors Headquarters and associated Department of Energy laboratories and shipyards.

Key Responsibilities Provide technical direction in areas such as reactor and fluid systems design, reactor physics, materials development, component design for steam generators, pumps, and valves, instrumentation and control for reactor and propulsion plants, testing and quality control, radiation shielding, and chemistry and radiological controls; review designs and analyses from laboratories, shipyards, and industry partners; coordinate with fleet units to ensure safe and reliable nuclear plant operation.

What to Expect Assume significant technical responsibility early in your career as part of a lean headquarters staff; work primarily in an analytical and oversight role rather than operating plants at sea; balance long term engineering projects with time sensitive fleet and shipyard issues; frequent coordination with senior civilian engineers, naval officers, and technical teams; high expectations for attention to detail, judgment, and written and oral communication.

Work Environment Work mainly at Naval Reactors Headquarters in the Washington, District of Columbia area with regular engagement with Department of Energy laboratories, nuclear training sites, shipyards, and nuclear powered ships and submarines; office based work that includes document reviews, technical meetings, inspections, and site visits rather than day to day shipboard watchstanding.

Pathways, Training & Advancement Officer commissioning through programs such as Officer Candidate School or the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate program followed by a structured technical qualification program at Naval Reactors; rotational exposure to laboratories, prototypes, shipyards, and fleet support issues; progressive responsibility leading projects and becoming a subject matter expert, with opportunities for professional military education and advanced graduate study in technical fields.

Entry through the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate program for qualified college students and recent graduates, or selection via Officer Candidate School for those who already hold qualifying degrees; all applicants must meet Nuclear Propulsion Program academic and technical screening standards in addition to general officer commissioning requirements.

Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or commissioning standards, which typically include: Eligibility to serve in the United States Navy, which may involve United States citizenship or other legal residency and work status, depending on the program and current law and policy A high school diploma or equivalent for enlisted positions, and a bachelor's or qualifying professional degree for officer positions Meeting age limits that vary by program and are set in law and Navy policy.

Some communities have more restrictive age ranges Meeting medical, vision, and dental standards, including body composition and physical fitness requirements, with some jobs requiring more demanding standards Meeting character and conduct standards, including background screening Achieving required test scores for your program, such as the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery for enlisted roles or officer qualification tests for officer programs Eligibility for a security clearance when required for your rating or designator Additional qualifications can include specific skills, education, licensure, or experience that are unique to a job or community and will be reviewed with you by a recruiter.

Additional qualifications for this job may include: Completion of a rigorous technical degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or a closely related field that includes strong backgrounds in calculus and physics; outstanding academic record, particularly in technical coursework; United States citizenship and eligibility for a high level security clearance; strong technical aptitude and comfort with detailed analytical work.

Education Education benefits are available through standard Navy programs such as Tuition Assistance, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, ACE-recommended college credit for Navy training, Navy COOL-funded certifications, USMAP apprenticeships, and other Navy College Program opportunities.

Specific options depend on the Sailor's status, training, and current Navy policy.

Pay, Benefits & Service Pay, benefits, and service commitments follow standard Navy Active and/or Reserve policies for this type of role, including basic pay, allowances when eligible, health coverage, and retirement options.

Exact entitlements, special pays, and service obligations depend on program, component, years of service, and current law and Navy guidance.

Incentives Incentives such as bonuses, special pays, and loan repayment may be available at times for specific ratings or communities, but they change frequently and cannot be guaranteed.

Applicants must confirm current incentives and eligibility with an official Navy recruiter or authoritative Navy source.

Notes and Disclaimers This description is a general overview of typical duties, training, and opportunities in this community.

It does not replace official Navy instructions, policies, or contracts and does not guarantee specific assignments, training, incentives, or outcomes.

Actual opportunities depend on Navy needs, individual performance, screening results, and current law and policy.