Boeing Co. said that Ted Colbert, who oversees its defense and space division, is leaving the company, the first major personnel change by Kelly Ortberg since he took over as chief executive officer last month.

Boeing Co. said that Ted Colbert — its head of defense, space and security — would leave the company on Friday, as the beleaguered aviation giant’s new chief executive aims for big changes following a string of safety concerns and a deep slump in its financials.

Boeing on Friday replaced the head of its troubled defense and space business, which has struggled with money-losing government contracts and embarrassing setbacks involving its Starliner space capsule.