Director of Operations

Ensign-Bickford Industries, Inc.; Kentucky; On-site; USD 175,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive relocation

Sign-on incentives

Tailored rewards

Job summary

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company in Graham, KY is seeking a Director of Operations to lead a high-consequence manufacturing site with ~150 staff. This role focuses on safety, quality, delivery, and cost while adhering to explosive safety and regulatory standards.

You will drive growth, build leadership pipelines, and scale operations within EBOS-based lean execution while supporting DoD contracts and regulatory compliance in a mission-critical environment.

Qualifications

• 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).
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Provide full-site leadership for a 150-person operation in Graham, KY.
• Own site performance across safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Ensure compliance with explosive safety, process controls, and regulatory standards (PSM, DoD).
• Build and develop teams with safety-first, accountability-driven culture.
• Drive performance through EBOS and lean execution discipline.

Skills

Leadership

High-hazard manufacturing

Safety culture

Operations management

Job description

## Director of OperationsApplylocations: Graham, KYtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted 30+ Days Agojob requisition id: REQ106910This 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:** Graham, KY **Reports to:** VP of OperationsAt 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.# **What You’ll Own*** 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## # **What We’re Looking For****Required Experience*** 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**Technical & Regulatory Depth*** 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**Leadership*** 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# **Why This Role*** Lead a critical, high-consequence manufacturing operation* Shape and scale a site during a period of significant growth and transformation* Build the next generation of operational capability and leadership within EBAD* Join a long-standing, mission-driven defense company with a legacy of innovation**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.**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.*### About this Subsidiary**Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company** (EBAD), headquartered in Simsbury, CT with facilities in Moorpark, CA, San Rafael, CA and Graham, KY is a global leader of mission-critical hardware and systems solutions including precision energetics systems and innovative explosive solutions.Our capabilities include customized man-portable breaching systems; fully integrated payload system, subsystem or energetic component production; shock tube-based, signal transmission technology integrated with our highly reliable family of detonators; and armored vehicle solutions. EBAD also has extensive satellite/spacecraft and missile/aircraft/launch vehicle manufacturing capabilities for system initiation, signal transfer, separation release, actuation and deployment and flight termination. No matter what the mission, EBAD can provide tailored, customized solutions to address our customers' challenges.*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.*