Director, Operations

At Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company (EBAD), we believe that our strengths are built on our most important resource - our people. Join EBAD and you'll be a part of a team who creates cutting edge technology that will blast us into the future. No other company can match the innovative energetic solutions that we provide. At EBAD you will actively contribute to successful missions putting men, women and satellites into space, and protecting our armed service men and women around the world. If this is the culture and work environment you are seeking, then EBAD is the place for you! ​

Job Description

Location: Simsbury, CT Reports to: VP Operations Industry: Aerospace & Defense Experience Level: Site Leader / Director (15+ years)

Lead the Site. Build the System. Deliver the Mission.

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.

The Opportunity

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.

Scope of Responsibility

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.