At Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company (EBAD), we believe that our strengths are built on our most important resource - our people. Join EBAD and you'll be a part of a team who creates cutting edge technology that will blast us into the future. No other company can match the innovative energetic solutions that we provide. At EBAD you will actively contribute to successful missions putting men, women and satellites into space, and protecting our armed service men and women around the world. If this is the culture and work environment you are seeking, then EBAD is the place for you!
Job Description
The Manufacturing Engineering Lead is an exciting opportunity for an experienced engineer ready to expand their leadership impact while remaining closely connected to the technical work. In this role, you will lead and develop a talented team of Manufacturing Engineers, own the technical performance of assigned product lines, and partner across Operations, Quality, Programs, and Engineering to solve complex problems and support continued business growth.
Supporting our Linear Transfer Systems (LTS) Value Stream, you will play a key role in strengthening our products, manufacturing processes, and engineering capabilities while building a high-performing team prepared to meet both current and future business needs.
ResponsibilitiesAs the Manufacturing Engineering Lead, you will:
Lead and develop a team of Manufacturing Engineers, providing coaching, technical guidance, prioritization, and ongoing development to strengthen individual and team capabilities.
Own the technical performance of assigned product lines, serving as a key engineering resource throughout the product lifecycle.
Partner closely with Production and cross-functional teams to prioritize engineering support based on business, customer, quality, and operational needs.
Drive structured problem solving and lead technical teams through root cause analysis, failure investigations, corrective actions, and risk mitigation.
Champion Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and ensure manufacturing considerations are incorporated into new product development and design decisions.
Support key technical and business activities, including risk assessments, Technical Data Package (TDP) reviews, design reviews, bids and proposals, and technical investigations.
Drive continuous improvement across assigned product lines through Lean manufacturing, process optimization, SPC, SMED, cell design, and other improvement methodologies.
Identify opportunities to improve product quality, manufacturability, cost, delivery, and overall operational performance.
Partner with customers and internal stakeholders to resolve technical challenges and provide effective, timely engineering support.
Build the technical depth and capability of the Product Engineering organization to support current priorities and future business growth.
Foster a collaborative, accountable, and continuous-improvement-focused team environment.
Bachelor's degree in Engineering required; Mechanical, Manufacturing, or a related engineering discipline preferred. Master's degree is a plus.
5+ years of relevant manufacturing, product, or project engineering experience.
Demonstrated experience with structured problem solving, root cause analysis, corrective and preventive action, and failure investigation.
Ability to lead cross-functional technical teams through complex engineering and manufacturing challenges.
Experience with project management, technical writing, and cost estimating.
Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement, or similar operational excellence methodologies.
Strong technical judgment with the ability to balance engineering rigor with production, customer, schedule, and business requirements.
Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Programs, and other functions.
Experience developing or improving manufacturing processes is strongly preferred.
Experience with energetic systems, ordnance devices, missile systems, launch vehicles, or other aerospace and defense products is beneficial.
Must have or be able to obtain a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance and be eligible to work on U.S. DoD and ITAR-restricted programs.
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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering; Mechanical, Manufacturing, or a related discipline preferred
- 5+ years of relevant manufacturing, product, or project engineering experience
- Experience with structured problem solving, root cause analysis, corrective and preventive action, and failure investigation
- Ability to lead cross-functional technical teams through complex engineering and manufacturing challenges
- Experience with project management, technical writing, and cost estimating
- Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement, or similar methodologies
- Strong technical judgment balancing engineering rigor with production, customer, schedule, and business requirements
- Strong communication and collaboration skills across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Programs, and other functions
- Experience developing or improving manufacturing processes
- Experience with energetic systems, ordnance devices, missile systems, launch vehicles, or other aerospace and defense products
- Master's degree in Engineering
- Must have or be able to obtain a U.S. Department of Defense security clearance and be eligible to work on U.S. DoD and ITAR-restricted programs
Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company (EBAD) Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company (EBAD) and has not been reviewed or approved by Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company (EBAD).
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Strong & Reliable Incentives — Bonuses tied to company and personal performance are available and contribute to total rewards. Incentive programs are positioned as a consistent part of the package.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting is highlighted as a strength. Retirement offerings are viewed as a solid component of total compensation.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is often described as good to excellent and part of a comprehensive benefits package. Access to broad medical, dental, and vision options supports overall wellbeing.
Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company (EBAD) Insights
What We Do
Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company (EBAD), headquartered in Simsbury, Connecticut (CT), 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 mission, EBAD can provide tailored, customized solutions to address your challenges. EBAD is Right For Your Mission!









