Director of Operations
About The Position
At Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense (EBAD), we bring nearly 200 years of innovation to the development of mission-critical energetic systems supporting defense and space programs. Our work operates in high-consequence environments where safety, precision, and discipline are non-negotiable. We are seeking a Director of Operations to lead a growing energetics manufacturing site and scale operations without compromising safety, compliance, or execution. This role serves as the operational leader for a 150-person, high-risk manufacturing site, with full ownership of performance across safety, quality, delivery, and cost. Beyond execution, this leader will play a key role in shaping the next generation of operations, talent, and manufacturing capability at EBAD - building the systems, culture, and leadership pipeline required to support long-term growth in a mission-critical environment.
Requirements
- 15+ years of operations leadership in high-hazard manufacturing environments
- Direct experience in energetics or explosives manufacturing (e.g., propellants, detonators, high explosives such as RDX or similar)
- Background in aerospace & defense or similarly regulated industries
- Experience supporting DoD programs and contracts
- Ability to obtain DoD Security Clearance
- Working knowledge of energetic materials (RDX, HMX, propellants, detonators)
- Strong understanding of explosive safety, hazard analysis, and risk mitigation
- Experience with ITAR, ATF, and DoD regulatory environments
- Proven ability to lead teams in high-consequence environments where safety is critical
- Track record of driving continuous improvement without compromising safety or quality
- Experience building teams, developing leaders, and scaling operations through growth
Responsibilities
- Full-site leadership in a high-mix, low-volume, high-consequence manufacturing environment
- Ownership of site performance across safety, quality, delivery, and cost
- Ensure strict adherence to explosive safety, process controls, and regulatory standards
- Operate within a PSM-regulated environment with full compliance to federal, DoD, and explosive safety requirements
- Build and develop teams with a safety-first, accountability-driven culture
- Drive performance through EBAD’s operating system (EBOS) and lean execution discipline
- Lead production ramp, capacity expansion, and operational readiness aligned to customer demand
Benefits
- 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
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
No Education Listed
