Manufacturing Systems Manager

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense

Simsbury, Connecticut

JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Aerospace and Defense, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Automation, Best Practices, Bridge Building, Business Operations, Business Strategy, Change Management, Civil Engineering, Cloud Computing, Computer Science, Continuous Improvement, Data Modeling, Data Processing, Data Quality, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), Ecosystems, Emerging Technology, FDA (Food and Drug Administration), GCP (Good Clinical Practices), ISO (International Organization for Standardization), Identify Issues, Industrial Engineering, Industrial Robotics, Information Technology & Information Systems, Internet Security, Internet of Things, Interoperability, Leadership, Leading Edge Technology, Lean Manufacturing, Lean Six Sigma, Maintain Compliance, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Engineering, Manufacturing Management, Manufacturing Systems, Manufacturing Technology, Mentoring, Microsoft Windows Azure, OSHA, Performance Analysis, Performance Metrics, Problem Solving Skills, Process Improvement, Process Modeling, Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), Quality Management, Quality Metrics, Regulatory Compliance, Request for Proposals (RFP), Requirements Management, Robotics, Root Cause Analysis, Set Goals, Software Design, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Supply Chain, System Architecture, System Integration (SI), System Operations, Systems Administration/Management, Systems Engineering, Team Building, Team Lead/Manager, Vendor/Supplier Evaluation
LOCATION
Simsbury, Connecticut
POSTED
16 days ago

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

EBAD is seeking a highly skilled Manufacturing Systems Manager to lead, develop, and mentor a team of Systems Engineers while designing, optimizing, and overseeing the integration of advanced manufacturing systems across our operations. This role is responsible for aligning business objectives, production requirements, and technology solutions to create scalable, efficient, and resilient manufacturing environments. The Manufacturing Systems Manager serves as a key bridge between engineering, IT, operations, and leadership teams to ensure seamless execution of digital transformation initiatives. In addition to providing technical and organizational leadership, this role is hands-on in owning the full lifecycle of a business-critical MES application, from design and implementation through day-to-day operations, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

Systems Architecture & Design

  • Develop and maintain the overall architecture for manufacturing systems, including MES, ERP, SCADA, PLCs, robotics, IoT devices, and cloud platforms.
  • Define technical roadmaps that align with business strategy, operational efficiency goals, and industry best practices.
  • Ensure system interoperability, security, and scalability.

Integration & Optimization

  • Lead the integration of disparate systems into a unified digital manufacturing ecosystem.
  • Drive standardization of processes, data models, and system interfaces.
  • Identify and implement automation opportunities to improve throughput, quality, and cost efficiency.

Stakeholder Collaboration

  • Partner with operations, IT, engineering, and supply chain teams to gather requirements and translate them into system capabilities.
  • Act as the subject matter expert for manufacturing technologies during vendor evaluations, RFPs, and implementation projects.

Governance & Compliance

  • Establish and enforce governance standards for manufacturing systems, including cybersecurity, data integrity, and change management.
  • Ensure compliance with industry regulations (e.g., ISO, FDA, OSHA) and internal quality standards.

Continuous Improvement

  • Monitor system performance and lead root-cause analysis for complex issues.
  • Stay current with emerging technologies (Industry 4.0, IIoT, digital twins, AI/ML in manufacturing) and recommend adoption strategies

Team Leadership & Development

  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Manufacturing Systems Engineers
  • Set departmental goals and KPIs aligned with company objectives.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and collaboration.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field.
  • 8+ years of experience in manufacturing IT/OT systems, with at least 3 years in an architecture or systems leadership role.
  • Strong knowledge of MES, ERP, SCADA, PLCs, robotics, and industrial IoT platforms.
  • Excellent leadership and team development capabilities.
  • Proven experience with system integration, data architecture, and digital transformation initiatives.
  • Familiarity with cloud solutions (Azure, AWS, or GCP) and edge computing in manufacturing environments.
  • Excellent problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills.

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or process optimization methodologies.
  • Exposure to digital twin, predictive maintenance, or AI/ML applications in manufacturing.
  • Professional certifications (TOGAF, ISA-95/ISA-99, PMP, or related).

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 the Company

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Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense

Mission Statement To improve people’s lives By providing technologies that help put people and satellites in space, and protecting the armed service men and women around the world as they protect our freedoms at home, Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company (EBAD) continuously seeks to improve the lives of people. Vision Statement Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company (EBAD) seeks to be a leader in mission critical hardware and services. Strategy Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company (EBAD) delivers mission critical hardware and system solutions, integrating complementary technologies and building partnerships to broaden our markets, add value and grow. Unparalleled Experience Solutions require innovation. In 1836, William Bickford's invention of a superior initiator for mining explosives, safety fuse, heralded not only a safer era for miners, but the formation of the Ensign-Bickford company. From this single but significant milestone, EBAD has developed global industry influence and extensive capabilities facilities in three locations; Graham, KY, Moorpark, CA and our headquarters in Simsbury, CT. Ideas, insights and engineering breakthroughs have made us manufacturers of the most reliable, precise aerospace and defense energetic solutions available. Our history of providing high-reliability solutions to these markets is unequaled, as is our commitment to meeting cost, delivery, reliability, environmental, and performance requirements. No other company can match the range of innovative energetic solutions that we've manufactured; this breadth of energetics application and technology is the foundation on which our success—and yours—rests.

COMPANY SIZE
500 to 999 employees
INDUSTRY
Aerospace and Defense
FOUNDED
1836
WEBSITE
http://www.eba-d.com/