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Smiths Detection Group

Produces trace-detection sensors for security

Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul General Manager

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/23/2026
No salary listed
Expert
Bachelor's
Laconia, NH, USA
In Person
Business & Strategy

About the job

Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Aviation, Operations Management, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
  • At least 10 years of progressive leadership experience in Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul, aviation, manufacturing, or a regulated industrial environment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Proven experience leading teams through growth, change, and operational constraints.
  • Strong operational acumen and ability to move between strategic leadership and hands-on execution.
  • Demonstrated success developing inexperienced or early-career teams.
  • Experience serving as a working or player-coach leader in an MRO or production environment.
  • Familiarity with Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.
  • Strong understanding of aviation regulatory environments and repair station operations.
Responsibilities
  • Own full P&L responsibility for the MRO operation, driving safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.
  • Lead daily operations to ensure on-time delivery, regulatory compliance, and adherence to customer and contractual requirements.
  • Act as a working manager when required by troubleshooting issues, covering staffing gaps, or accelerating critical work.
  • Identify, prioritize, and resolve production constraints in a high-growth environment.
  • Lead, coach, and develop a largely inexperienced workforce by establishing clear expectations, structured training, and mentorship.
  • Build bench strength through hiring, onboarding, cross-training, and succession planning.
  • Foster a strong safety culture, accountability mindset, and continuous improvement orientation.
  • Partner with HR to address labor shortages and attrition.
  • Ensure continuous compliance with 14 CFR Part 145, the Repair Station Manual, the Quality Control Manual, training program requirements, customer and regulatory standards, and applicable requirements including FAA and EASA.
  • Promote and enforce a zero-harm culture across all organizational levels.
  • Train team members on safety rules and enforce safe behaviors; conduct safety meetings, safety observations, safety leadership tours, and incident investigations.
  • Serve as the senior site leader responsible for repair station compliance, audit readiness, and effective corrective and preventive action.
  • Ensure personnel authorization, training, and qualification requirements are met and documented in accordance with Part 145 and company procedures.
  • Develop and maintain a sound internal control structure for the business.
  • Implement Lean, continuous improvement, innovation strategy, and capacity-expansion initiatives to support rapid market growth.
  • Develop and execute strategies to balance demand growth with labor, tooling, and facility limitations.
  • Collaborate with executive leadership on long-term growth planning, capital investments, and capability expansion.
  • Serve as a senior point of contact for customers, ensuring transparent communication and issue resolution.
  • Partner with supply chain, engineering, quality, and commercial teams to align priorities and drive results.
  • Promote the organization in industry, manufacturing, or trade associations.
  • Manage two subordinate supervisors who oversee a total of 40–60 employees in Sales, Operations, Engineering, and manufacturing, and directly supervise 3–5 nonsupervisory employees.
  • Direct, coordinate, and evaluate the supervised units; interview, hire, train, plan and assign work, direct employees, appraise performance, reward and discipline employees, address complaints, and resolve problems.
Desired Qualifications
  • FAA Repairman Certificate.

About the company

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Smiths Detection Group

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Smiths Detection provides sensors and systems that detect weapons, explosives, and other contraband to improve global security. Its product lineup centers on trace and material-detection technology used in security screening—devices and integrated systems that scan for traces or signatures of dangerous materials and raise alerts for operators, often connected to data analysis and monitoring software. The company differentiates itself through its long corporate heritage, its integrated approach spanning detection hardware, software, and global service support, and by expanding capabilities via strategic acquisitions (notably Morpho Detection) and focused maintenance/refurbishment services through Med Graphix to extend the life of deployed equipment. The goal is to help governments and organizations protect people and assets by delivering reliable detection solutions and ongoing lifecycle support that keep security gear operating over time.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

Acquired

Total Funding

$2.6B

Headquarters

London, United Kingdom

Founded

1950

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Japan Airlines, Hiroshima, and Miyazaki awarded new 2026 deployments across multiple hubs.
  • Incheon’s IRBS rolled out in August 2025, with U.S. expansion planned into 2027.
  • Hong Kong awarded Smiths Detection CTX maintenance through November 2026, preserving recurring service revenue.

What critics are saying

  • The April 2026 EEOC settlement signals workplace-control scrutiny and litigation distraction in Maryland.
  • CVC’s 2026 takeover pressure shifts focus toward cash extraction, not long-cycle innovation.
  • Rivals like Leidos and Rapiscan attack airport tenders; one major contract loss hurts 2027 revenue.

What makes Smiths Detection Group unique

  • Smiths Detection completed its £2 billion sale to CVC on June 30, 2026.
  • Its systems power 47 of the world’s top 50 airports, plus TSA maintenance.
  • It launched the first fully automated DICOS baggage screening between South Korea and America.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays
  • Remote Work Options
  • Hybrid Work Options
  • Flexible Work Hours
  • Wellness Program
  • Mental Health Support
  • Conference Attendance Budget
  • Professional Development Budget
  • Stock Options
  • Company Equity

Growth & Insights and Company News

6 month growth

7%

1 year growth

7%

2 year growth

7%
Smiths Group
Jul 1st, 2026
Completion of Smiths Detection sale

Read the latest company news as Smiths completes the sale of its Detection business.

Recruiting Headlines
Jun 1st, 2026
Manufacturer's $100K EEOC settlement offers key ADA lessons for all employers.

Manufacturer's $100K EEOC settlement offers key ADA lessons for all employers. This post was originally published on this site. Maryland-based manufacturer Smiths Detection Inc. has agreed to pay $100,000 to settle claims that it violated the Americans With Disabilities Act by demoting an employee with complete hearing loss in one ear. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said SDI denied the employee's request...

Passenger Terminal Today
May 20th, 2026
Smiths Detection awarded three new contracts in Japan.

Smiths Detection awarded three new contracts in Japan. Smiths Detection is expanding its footprint in Japan with new partnerships with Japan Airlines, Hiroshima International Airport and Miyazaki International Airport. Hiroshima and Miyazaki airports will install Hi-Scan 6040 CTiX Model S scanners and iLane A20 automatic tray return systems. The agreement with Japan Airlines brings both systems to three additional hubs: Haneda Airport, Ishigaki Airport and Okadama Airport. For the Japan Airlines contract, Smiths Detection will provide four Hi-Scan 6040 CTiX Model S scanners and four iLane A20 systems for the airline's Global Club premium checkpoints in Terminal 1 at Haneda Airport. These systems will be installed in the North Terminal by September 2026 and in the South Terminal by January 2027. Two Hi-Scan 6040 CTiX Model S scanners and two iLane A20 systems were installed at Ishigaki Airport in March 2026. One Hi-Scan 6040 CTiX Model S scanner and one iLane A20 system will be installed at Okadama Airport, with completion expected by March 2027. The Hi-Scan 6040 CTiX Model S uses high-resolution 3D computed tomography (CT) imaging and AI-driven automatic detection capabilities, enabling passengers to leave liquids and electronics inside their carry-on baggage. The iLane A20 systems are designed to improve passenger flow and operational efficiency.

AJ Bell
Mar 20th, 2026
Smiths Group plans PS1.5 billion return as interim profit declines.

Smiths Group plans PS1.5 billion return as interim profit declines. Friday, March 20, 2026 Smiths Group PLC on Friday posted a decline in both interim profit and revenue, and revised its full-year revenue growth outlook following the reclassification of Smiths Detection. The London-based engineering company reported £126 million in pretax profit for the six months that ended January 31, down 17% from £152 million a year prior. Driving the weaker earnings was a 1.0% top line contraction, as revenue fell to £915 million from £924 million. Chief Executive Roland Carter described 2026 as a 'significant year of progress' for the company, as it seeks to 'reposition Smiths towards higher growth and higher returns markets'. Smiths said it plans to return an additional £1.5 billion to shareholders through 2027, through a combination of a structured return and a further buyback programme. The company said it will utilise proceeds from the sale of Smiths Detection, adding that this capital return is in addition to the 2026 £1 billion buyback that is underway. In December, Smiths announced the sale of Smiths Detection to funds advised by CVC Capital Partners PLC at an enterprise value of £2.0 billion. Also in December, it agreed to sell its connectivity products and solutions business, Smiths Interconnect, to Molex Electronic Technologies Holdings LLC, at an enterprise value of £1.3 billion. On Friday, Smiths declared an interim dividend of 15.00 pence, up 5.4% from 14.23 pence. Looking ahead, Smiths provided an updated outlook to its financial 2026 guidance, following the reclassification of Smiths Detection as discontinued operations. The company sees organic growth for the financial year of 3% to 4%, down from 4% to 6% guided previously. Smiths reported revenue of £2.92 billion in financial 2025. Shares in Smiths fell 5.5% to 2,222.00 pence on Friday morning in London. 'Following the completion of the disposals, Smiths will be a focused, premium industrial engineering company. Our strategy is delivering significant value and supporting enhanced, sustainable returns, alongside our continued investment into Smiths, and commitment to a further £1.5 billion of returns to shareholders,' added CEO Carter.

Associated Press
Jan 20th, 2026
Smiths Detection launches automated remote baggage screening between South Korea and US

Smiths Detection has enabled the launch of an automated International Remote Baggage Screening System between South Korea and the United States, led by Incheon International Airport Corporation. The system allows US Customs and Border Protection to screen checked baggage remotely before passengers land, eliminating traditional reclaim-and-recheck processes and reducing connection times by up to 20 minutes. The platform uses Smiths Detection's SecurePort-IRBS-K software with 22 licenses, integrated with HI-SCAN 10080 XCT computed tomography systems at Incheon's Terminal 2. Currently operational on the Atlanta route since August 2025, the system will gradually expand to Minneapolis, Seattle, Los Angeles, Detroit and Salt Lake City. The deployment represents the first fully automated, DICOS-based baggage screening workflow between two sovereign countries.