Principal Engineering Leader, Aerospace & Defense

Ensign-Bickford Industries; Simsbury (CT); On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company (EBAD) is seeking a Principal Engineering Manager to lead the Principal Engineering organization and strengthen technical capability across EBAD's engineering function.

You will develop senior technical talent, build a scalable leadership pipeline, and ensure rigorous technical discipline in design reviews, qualification activities, and program decisions, while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-consequence aerospace solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Aerospace Engineering, Physics. An advanced degree is preferred.
• At least 10 years of progressive engineering experience in aerospace/defense or similar.
• Experience leading, coaching, developing, and accountability for senior engineers, including succession.
• Strong technical credibility across the product-development lifecycle: design to production.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary resolution of complex technical problems using structured, data-driven methods.
• Track record of improving engineering standards, design practices, or development processes.
• Sound technical judgment to challenge assumptions, assess risk, and guide decisions with incomplete information.
• Strong influence and communication skills to align technical experts, business leaders, customers, and teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop the Principal Engineering team with clear expectations and accountability.
• Build the technical-leadership pipeline by mentoring engineers and identifying capability gaps across the organization.
• Strengthen problem-solving and safety capability through EBAD's structured methodology and rigorous design/qualification processes.
• Improve technical capability by closing systemic gaps in the product-development lifecycle via standards, reviews, tools, and practices.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Aerospace Engineering, Physics

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

EBOS (EBAD Operating System)

Job description

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company (EBAD) is seeking a Principal Engineering Manager to lead the Principal Engineering organization and strengthen technical capability across EBAD's engineering function.

You will develop senior technical talent, build a scalable leadership pipeline, and ensure rigorous technical discipline in design reviews, qualification activities, and program decisions, while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-consequence aerospace solutions.