This opportunity is located within our Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company business, a global leader of mission-critical hardware and systems solutions including precision energetics systems and innovative explosive solutions.Click here to learn more.
Job Description
Location: Simsbury, CT
Reports to: VP Operations
Industry: Aerospace & Defense
Experience Level: Site Leader / Director (15+ years)
EBAD is seeking a Director of Operations / Site Leader for our Simsbury, CT facility. This role carries full accountability for site performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people within a complex, highly regulated aerospace and defense manufacturing environment.
We are looking for a high-impact leader who can deliver operational results today while building the systems, team, and culture required to scale for future growth.
EBAD is a leader in mission-critical energetic and electronic systems supporting major aerospace, missile, and space platforms. The Simsbury site is a key contributor to these programs and is positioned for continued growth.
This role offers the opportunity to:
Lead a critical manufacturing site with full ownership and accountability
Operate in a high-mix, low-volume, engineer-to-order environment
Establish and scale EBOS as the site’s operating system
Drive measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost
Build organizational capability to support growth and new program introduction
Partner cross-functionally to support development, qualification, and production ramp of new products
This is a high-visibility leadership role with both immediate impact and long-term growth potential.
The Director of Operations has full leadership responsibility for all site-level operations and support functions, including:
Manufacturing / Production Operations
Production Support & Test
Quality Assurance & Compliance
Supply Chain & Materials Management
Environmental, Safety & Health (ES&H / EHS)
Maintenance & Facilities
Continuous Improvement / EBOS
This role also works closely with Engineering, Program Management, and Business Development to support new product development, qualification, and growth initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership & Execution
Lead the organization to achieve Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC) objectives
Own execution of production across launch vehicle, missile, and defense programs
Ensure adherence to program milestones and delivery commitments
Drive on-time delivery (OTD), past due reduction, and revenue execution
Safety & Compliance
Establish and maintain a zero-incident safety culture
Ensure compliance with aerospace, defense, and regulatory standards
Systems & Continuous Improvement
Establish and deploy EBOS as the site operating system
Implement disciplined daily management, KPIs, and leader standard work
Lead structured problem solving (RCCA) and continuous improvement initiatives
Build scalable processes to support growth and operational excellence
People & Organizational Development
Build and lead a high-performing, accountable organization
Develop leadership capability, succession depth, and team engagement
Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement
Cross-Functional Integration
Partner with Engineering and Program Management on development and production readiness
Support Business Development in proposal reviews and new opportunity evaluation
Align operations with customer requirements and business objectives
Financial & Strategic Management
Manage departmental budgets and cost performance
Lead capital planning and facility/equipment investments
Support long-term capacity planning and growth strategy
Contribute to site and enterprise-level operational strategy
Core Competencies
Enterprise Leadership Mindset
Balances operational execution with long-term business objectives.
People Leadership & Culture Building
Builds strong teams, develops leaders, and creates accountability.
EBOS / Lean Leadership
Drives disciplined execution through operating systems and continuous improvement.
Strategic Execution
Translates complex priorities into clear, actionable plans.
SQDC Results Orientation
Uses data to drive measurable performance improvements.
Cross-Functional Influence
Effectively collaborates across engineering, programs, and commercial teams.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required (Engineering or related field preferred); advanced degree a plus
15+ years of operational leadership experience in manufacturing
Proven experience leading a site or large-scale operations organization
Background in aerospace, defense, or other regulated manufacturing environments
Experience in high-mix, low-volume or engineer-to-order production environments
Strong leadership, coaching, and team development experience
Deep experience with Lean / operating systems (EBOS, DBS, or equivalent)
Financial acumen including budgeting, cost control, and capital planning
Ability to analyze data across the value stream and drive systemic improvements
Experience working in cross-functional, integrated product team environments
Energetics experience is a plus
A Defining Leadership Opportunity
Scope & Ownership
Full accountability for a critical manufacturing site.
Growth & Career Path
Opportunity to expand scope as the business continues to grow.
Operational Excellence Culture
A company committed to EBOS, disciplined execution, and continuous improvement.
Mission Impact
Direct contribution to critical national defense and space programs.
Location
Simsbury, CT offers strong quality of life with access to major metropolitan areas.
Compensation and Rewards
We recognize that world-class leaders deliver world-class impact, and we reward accordingly. This role offers a competitive executive package that includes:
Base Salary: $175k – $225k plus annual bonus
Executive Relocation: Comprehensive support for a seamless transition
Additional Enhancements: Potential sign-on incentives and tailored rewards based on experience
We offer a competitive compensation package aligned with skills & experience, with flexibility to reward top talent and extraordinary qualifications.
Ready to Make an Impact?
If you are a proven operations leader ready to take full ownership of a complex site, build a high-performing organization, and deliver meaningful results, we encourage you to explore this opportunity.
Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status.