At Capacity

I'm fully committed through the foreseeable future — but I'm happy to get on a call and point you to the right person in my network.

Hardware Operations Leadership

You need someone who owns it.
When advisory isn't enough.

I've built operational infrastructure for hardware companies at the stage where getting operations right determines whether the business case survives reality. Right now my engagements are full — but the need doesn't wait, and my network doesn't end with me.

Currently fully committed. Book a call — I'll refer you to the right operator.

What I Do

Three situations. One answer — and the right person for it.

These are the mandates I take on. I'm not available right now — but I know who is, and I'll make the introduction if the fit is right.

Fractional or Interim Ops Lead

Founders

You're the bottleneck. Supplier calls, quality loops, hiring, gate reviews: all on you, on top of building what you actually raised money for.

I take the operational layer, build the team that owns it, and hand it back. Clean exit. No dependency left.

Portfolio Operational Support

Investors

You backed a strong product. Now timelines are slipping and the updates are getting vaguer. The founder is underwater and you don't have the visibility to know how bad it is.

I go in with full accountability to you and the founder. Real operations running. Real clarity back.

Interim Leadership & Programme Lead

Corporates

Leadership gaps and programme vacuums don't wait, whether the role is vacant or the initiative has no operational driver yet.

I step in on Day 1. Hands-on, accountable, transparent to your team. I build the structure to replace me.

Not available — but not unhelpful

I can't take the mandate.
I can point you to who can.

Twenty years in hardware operations means knowing the people who are actually good at this — not just credentialed, but battle-tested. If your situation fits the profile above, I'd rather connect you with the right operator than leave you searching blind.

  • Brief call to understand your situation — 25 minutes, no agenda
  • Honest assessment of what kind of help you actually need
  • A warm introduction to a trusted operator or consultant in my network, where the fit is right
  • No fee. No strings. Hardware is a small world and good referrals matter.
Book a Free 25-min Call

I read every message. If a call isn't right, reach out on LinkedIn.

How I Work

Accountability is the word. Not advice.

I work in your structure, with your people, with full transparency to your team. I make decisions, own outcomes, build the operational backbone and hire the team that will run it without me.

Engagements are time-bound. The exit is designed from Day 1. When the permanent structure is in place, usually within 4 to 8 months, I hand it over and leave nothing behind that depends on me.

This is the standard I hold my referrals to as well.

What this looks like in practice

  • → Operational infrastructure built and running within weeks
  • → Ownership of urgent packages, including ops team hiring
  • → KPI framework set up with real visibility for stakeholders
  • → Founder mentoring through the leadership transition
  • → Clean handover: permanent team in place, no dependency left

Nicole Noack

20+ years in safety-critical hardware. I go where it's hard.

Work Samples

Fleet-wide integration across 500+ units in aviation. Hardware from concept to thousands of units deployed. Live operation of 800 vehicles, 120 people leadership, €90M+ procurement budget.

In each case, the stakes were high and the margin for error was low.

About Nicole → LinkedIn →

Investment

Transparent starting points.

These are the rates for my direct engagements — listed for reference. I am not taking new mandates at this time.

Not taking new mandates Book a call — I'll refer you to the right person

Fractional COO

6 to 10 days per month

From €1,600 per day

Interim COO / Ops Lead

Full-time operational presence

From €1,300 per day

Advisory & Leadership Sparring

Structured individual sessions

€2,500 per day

€250 per hour

I can't take the work. I can make the introduction.

25 minutes. Tell me where you are. I'll tell you who to call.

Book a Free Exploration Call