General Manager I

Element U.S. Space & Defense; Belcamp (MD); On-site; USD 178,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401k with employer match

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Flexible lab schedules

Lab bonus plans

Job summary

Element U.S. Space & Defense seeks a General Manager I to lead a growing testing facility. You will oversee P&L, staffing, and operations, ensuring profitability and high-quality service for aerospace and defense customers.

This on-site role requires strategic leadership and a proven track record in managing complex programs. Responsibilities include directing managers, driving process improvements, and pursuing new business opportunities while maintaining safety and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field.
• 5 years of P&L, business management, leadership, and people management experience at Director/GM level.
• Proven track record of P&L success and business development experience.

Responsibilities

• P/L responsibility for a $5-10M and growing testing operation.
• Lead organization to meet or exceed corporate profit objectives.
• Implement best practices for continuous process improvement.
• Train, supervise, and direct Department Managers.
• Develop and execute implementation plans for opportunities and communicate to teams.

Skills

P&L management

Leadership

Operations leadership

Process improvement

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

MBA (preferred)

Job description

About Company

Element U.S. Space & Defense stands at the forefront of testing innovation, serving as a trusted partner to NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, government agencies, and prominent industry leaders across the space and defense sectors. Founded as NTS Technical Systems, our company brings over 60 years of experience and expertise in handling the most complex projects and programs in the world. From centrifuge testing for the latest Mars rover, vibration testing for the Space Launch System (SLS), to environmental simulations for next-generation missiles, we are the pioneering partner for highly custom, end-to-end testing design and implementation. By advancing our state-of-the-art testing technologies, subject matter expertise, and service to critical missions, Element U.S. Space & Defense has become the go-to partner for ground-breaking industries.

What We Offer

Growth & Development:

• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
• A collaborative and innovative work environment.
• The chance to work on groundbreaking projects that shape the future of space and defense.

Benefits

Employees are eligible to participate in the benefits offered throughout their availability, including the following:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Short- and Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts
• Seven (7) paid holidays and four (4) paid floating holidays, depending on your hire date
• Paid Time Off (PTO), accrued biweekly
• 401k with employer match
• Twelve (12) hours of Paid Volunteer Time Off (PVTO) each year
• Tuition reimbursement and other employee programs
• Flexible schedules offered at some of our labs
• Monthly Lab Bonus plans (Based on position)

Salary

At EUSSD, compensation is determined through a comprehensive approach that considers candidate qualifications, role responsibilities, market benchmarks, and organizational needs. Pay may vary by location; for this position, the annual base salary target range is $177,712 - $200,000, with potential eligibility for bonuses or commission depending on the role.

Summary

The General Manager I role is a senior management position in our organization. Under general policy direction, the General Manager I plans, organizes, coordinates and directs the people, growth, operations and programs of an assigned facility within our organization, to maintain short and long term financial and organizational viability while fulfilling commitments to customers.

Primary Responsibilities

• P/L responsibility for a $5-10M and growing testing operation with 15-30 employees.
• Lead organization to meet or exceed corporate profit objectives.
• Implement best practices for continuous process improvement.
• Train, supervise, and direct Department Managers in management development issues and corporate affairs.
• Recommend new complimentary/supplementary business opportunities to senior executives.
• Develop and execute implementation plan for new opportunities and communicate them effectively to corresponding teams; ensuring goals and objectives are set in place.
• Provide the direction, motivation, and training necessary to assure that employees are consistently offering outstanding levels of service to their customers and maintaining all standards necessary to being recognized for superior customer satisfaction.
• Create and maintain a work environment that promotes teamwork and cooperation where employees can prosper, are rewarded for their effort, and are continuously challenged to improve the performance of all functional areas of the facility and operation.
• Set the standard for integrity, ethics and job performance.
• Influence sales staff to foster year-to-year revenue growth.
• Act as senior customer advocate, ensuring that all complaints are addressed and resolved in a timely manner.
• Implement corporate policies and procedures to ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
• Develop policies and procedures related to Division operations and implement them as needed.
• Manage staffing levels and ensure proper skill sets to achieve corporate goals.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field.
• 5 years of P&L, business management, leadership, and people management experience working as a Director of Operations, Sector Manager, Business Owner or General Manager, preferably for a company that provides testing, engineering, contract services and/or products to the Aerospace, Space and/or Defense Industries.
• Proven track record of P&L success. Business development experience includes sales growth, marketing strategies, negotiating and closing deals, process improvements, innovation and bringing new opportunities to market.
• Experienced and skilled at developing and implementing efficient and effective operational processes.
• Experience in coaching and developing personnel and teams.
• This role is required to be on‑site in a lab. Travel may be required from time to time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering; an MBA is highly desired.
• 10+ years of P&L, business management, leadership, and people management experience working as a Director of Operations, Sector Manager, Business Owner or General Manager, preferably for a company that provides testing, engineering, contract services and/or products to the Aerospace, Space and/or Defense Industries. Test Lab industry experience is highly desired.
• 3+ years of engineering experience; sales background helpful.

Knowledge And Skills

• Knowledge of Telecom, Aerospace, Defense, and Commercial markets/industries.
• Knowledge of testing discipline (i.e., Mechanical, Dynamics, Environmental, EMI/EMC, Fluids, Ballistics, Gun Range) principles and applications.
• Understanding of engineering principles, data interpretation, testing and troubleshooting.
• Understanding of business development such as proposal writing, sales experience, negotiating and deal making, and bringing new services/products to market.
• Good financial skills and proven track record of P&L financial success and business growth.
• Proven record of accomplishment of setting and meeting/exceeding performance objectives.
• Competent with leadership and management of operations and sales organizations.
• Ability to identify, assess, and manage the stress associated with the fast-paced environment.
• Ability to share skills and knowledge with others and to delegate responsibility.
• Strong supervisory skills, including experience with larger group environments.
• Skilled with leading and implementing organizational changes and development.
• Skilled at developing high‑performing cohesive teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; climb stairs; balance; stoop; kneel; crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

EEO Policy Statement

It is the policy of Element US Space & Defense to offer Equal Employment Opportunity to all individuals without regards to race, creed, ancestry, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, physical disabilities, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions.

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V