Director, CMG, Colorado

Critical Materials Group•Littleton, CO

4d•$160,000 - $167,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director, CMG, Colorado is the senior-most executive responsible for the strategic direction, operational performance, financial health, and growth of CMG’s Colorado operations. The role combines technical credibility in energetic materials and munitions with business leadership, government contracting expertise, and full P&L ownership. The Director builds and leads high-performing teams, secures and executes Department of War and related contracts, ensures safety and regulatory compliance, and supports sustainable growth in the regulated defense market. The role reports to the Chief Science Officer of Critical Materials Group. The Director sets and executes strategy aligned with CMG’s executive team, leads business development and contract capture, oversees RDT&E programs and munition development, and manages the organization’s finances, facilities, safety, security, and compliance. The position also leads the senior management team, recruits and develops talent, and represents CMG Colorado with customers, partners, regulators, and industry associations. The role is based on-site at an energetic materials RDT&E and manufacturing site, with regular time in laboratory, test, and production areas. Travel is required as needed to customers, government program offices, other CMG sites, and industry events. Site safety protocols and required PPE must be followed in hazard-rated areas; occasional extended hours may be needed for program and proposal deadlines. A background check and drug screening are required. U.S. citizenship, ATF employee possessor eligibility, and an active Secret clearance or ability to obtain and maintain one are required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant technical field, such as chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, mechanical or aerospace engineering, or a related field.
15 or more years of progressive defense-industry experience, including significant experience in energetic materials, munitions/armament development, explosives manufacturing/scale-up, or related hazard-rated operations.
Executive or senior leadership experience (President, VP, General Manager, or equivalent) with P&L responsibility in a small-to-mid-size defense or advanced manufacturing company.
Deep understanding of U.S. DoD acquisition processes, RDT&E contracting, and work with government laboratories and program offices.
Proven record of winning and executing government contracts, including RDT&E and production/support efforts.
Strong knowledge of explosives safety, energetic materials handling, hazard classification, and automated systems for hazardous environments.
Experience with ITAR, export controls, and industrial security requirements.
U.S. citizenship and access eligibility for ITAR/EAR export-controlled information.
Active U.S. Secret clearance or ability to obtain and maintain one.
ATF employee possessor eligibility.
Successful completion of a background check and drug screening.
Ability to follow site safety protocols and wear required PPE in hazard-rated areas.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in a relevant technical field.
Direct experience with energetic materials synthesis, formulation, scale-up, or pilot-plant operations.
Background in munition design, warhead/armament development, or related system integration.
Experience implementing or overseeing automated/remote systems in explosive or highly hazardous manufacturing environments.
Prior work with SBIR/STTR programs, Other Transaction Authorities, or rapid acquisition pathways.
Experience scaling a small defense technology company or leading facility/capability expansion in hazard-rated settings.
MBA or equivalent business training combined with a deep technical background.
Top Secret/SCI clearance preferred.

Responsibilities

Define and execute long-term strategy aligned with the CMG executive team and U.S. defense priorities in energetic materials, munitions modernization, and automated hazardous-environment systems.
Set goals for technology roadmaps, market positioning, and capability development, including synthesis, formulation, scale-up, munition design, and automation.
Lead board and executive team interactions, investor and owner communications, and strategic decision-making.
Drive business capture with Department of War agencies, prime contractors, and allied partners.
Oversee proposal development for RDT&E contracts, including SBIR/STTR, OTAs, and production and support efforts.
Build and maintain senior-level relationships with government program offices, laboratories, and industry partners.
Identify and pursue approved opportunities in automated manufacturing, remote or hazardous operations, and related defense technologies.
Provide executive oversight of RDT&E programs involving energetic materials synthesis, formulation, scale-up, characterization, and safety testing.
Guide munition and armament development from concept through prototype and transition.
Ensure technical excellence and innovation in automation for hazard-rated environments, including remote handling, process automation, and safety-interlocked systems.
Maintain awareness of emerging technologies, threat environments, and Department of War capability gaps relevant to the company’s portfolio.
Own full P&L responsibility, including budgeting, forecasting, cash management, and profitability targets.
Oversee contract management, cost control, and compliance with FAR/DFARS, cost accounting standards, and audit requirements.
Manage capital allocation for facilities, equipment, and capability investments, particularly hazard-rated infrastructure and automation systems.
Champion safety and ensure compliance with DoD explosives safety standards, ATF regulations, OSHA, and company protocols.
Maintain required facility and personnel security clearances and oversee industrial security programs, including NISPOM and ITAR.
Ensure adherence to export controls, quality systems, and environmental requirements.
Recruit, develop, and retain technical and operational talent in energetics, munitions engineering, automation/controls, and related disciplines.
Build a high-performance culture balancing innovation, safety discipline, and mission focus; lead the senior management team and set performance expectations.
Represent CMG Colorado with CMG’s executive team, customers, partners, regulators, industry associations, and at technical and business forums.
Assess the Colorado team, programs, facilities, and contract portfolio during the first 90 days; align strategic priorities and near-term targets with the CMG executive team.
Establish relationships with key government program offices, laboratories, and prime partners, and confirm safety, security, and compliance programs are in place.
Within 6–12 months, deliver an approved strategy, technology roadmap, and operating budget; grow the contract pipeline; win new awards; meet P&L targets; and establish a senior management team and recruitment plan.