E

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company

Manufactures high-reliability payload release systems

Product Development Lead - Electronics

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/23/2026
$125k - $160k/yr+ Incentive compensation
Senior
Bachelor's, Master's
Simsbury, CT, USA
In PersonPosition is located in Simsbury, Connecticut; occasional project-related travel is required.
Engineering ManagementEngineering Leadership
Company Does Not Provide H1B Sponsorship

About the job

Requirements
  • A Bachelor of Science or Master of Science in an engineering discipline is required; electrical and/or mechanical engineering are preferred disciplines.
  • At least 6 years of experience in electronics product development, including leading functional teams, executing strategy, and mentoring and developing engineers.
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
  • Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
  • A proven track record of delivering complex projects on time, within budget, and to quality standards.
  • Strong project management skills, including planning, execution, and risk management.
  • Ability to interpret and analyze electrical specifications and data.
  • Knowledge of electronics design software, tools, and processes.
  • Ability to adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Must have or be able to obtain a U.S. Department of Defense security clearance and be capable of working on U.S. DoD- and ITAR-restricted products.
Responsibilities
  • Develop a functional team strategy to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet quality standards.
  • Drive and support execution of the team's projects, including technical requirements review and verification, design creation and evaluation, risk assessments and mitigation plans, drawing and test procedure review, design review content, proposal technical and cost reviews, and problem solving.
  • Align the team's objectives with business goals and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure engineering projects align with company strategy.
  • Lead the functional team in developing electronics products from concept to production.
  • Ensure projects meet schedule and budget, and track progress against organizational metrics.
  • Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the functional team.
  • Develop and implement engineering processes and procedures to improve efficiency and quality within the functional team.
  • Drive engineering success by ensuring consistent, rigorous engineering processes, tools, methods, standards, and techniques; build a culture of rigorous engineering practices, root cause and corrective action, problem solving, and knowledge management.
  • Provide technical expertise and guidance to the functional team, and develop and mentor engineers to enhance their skills and career development.
  • Ensure team members have the training and resources needed to perform their roles effectively.
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory and safety requirements.
Desired Qualifications
  • Knowledge of explosive material ordnance devices and/or missile or launch vehicle systems.
  • Experience with manufacturing processes, rapid prototyping, and/or product development.

About the company

E

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company

View

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense provides high-reliability payload release and spacecraft deployment solutions for space and defense missions. Its main products, Multi Point Payload Release Mechanisms (PRM) and Hold Down Release Mechanisms (HDRM), are precision mechanical systems that hold payloads securely during launch and release them on command to enable safe satellite deployment. The company differentiates itself with decades of aerospace heritage dating back to 1836, plus tailored engineering, rigorous testing, and strong collaboration with government and private sector clients to ensure safety and performance. The goal is to deliver dependable, proven hardware that helps customers achieve mission success while supporting STEM education and community initiatives.

Company Size

N/A

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Simsbury, Connecticut

Founded

N/A

Get referred to Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • January 2026 Falcon 9 Twilight mission proved PRM9103 flight success.
  • March 2026 Navy MK8 order and January 2026 MK68 sourcing show sticky demand.
  • EBAD's 2026 hiring and Top Workplace status signal continued production expansion.

What critics are saying

  • Beyond Gravity's 2024 suit exposed pricing leverage fights tied to Amazon Kuiper deliveries.
  • EBAD's customer concentration in NASA, SpaceX, and Navy programs ties revenue to few winners.
  • A failed Artemis III, PRM9106, or Kuiper qualification cycle would crush credibility.

What makes Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company unique

  • EBAD's NEA heritage still wins sole-source DoD awards in 2026.
  • Artemis II validated EBAD separation hardware across NASA's 2026 lunar mission.
  • PRM family spans 150-kilogram to 2,000-kilogram spacecraft, unlike narrow-point competitors.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

  • Professional Development Budget
  • Health Insurance
  • Paid Vacation

Company News

Ebad
Sep 3rd, 2026
Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Inducted into the American Manufacturing Hall of Fame Simsbury-based aerospace manufacturer honored for 190 years of innovation and its critical role in NASA's h...

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Inducted into the American Manufacturing Hall of Fame Simsbury-based aerospace manufacturer honored for 190 years of innovation and its critical role in NASA's historic Artemis II mission. SIMSBURY, Conn. - September 1, 2026 - Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense (EBAD) was inducted into the American Manufacturing Hall of Fame yesterday at the Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Forum, held at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. Lisa Brown, EBAD's Market Segment Director for Launch Vehicles, accepted the honor on behalf of the company. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal presented the induction, with Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Chief Manufacturing Officer Kirti Patel also in attendance. The induction recognizes EBAD's 190-year manufacturing legacy in Simsbury, dating back to 1836 and William Bickford's invention of the safety fuse, as well as the company's role as a critical supplier on NASA's Artemis II mission. Hardware designed and built by EBAD performed successfully throughout Artemis II, the first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit in more than 50 years. During the nearly 10-day mission, which launched April 1, 2026, four astronauts traveled approximately 1.4 million miles, reaching a record distance of 252,756 miles from Earth before safely returning home. EBAD engineered the critical separation hardware that helped separate Orion's Crew Module from its Service Module, a crucial step ahead of the astronauts' return to Earth. "From the same Simsbury factory where this all began, we are honored to be recognized alongside Connecticut's most iconic manufacturing innovators," said Lisa Brown, Market Segment Director for Launch Vehicles, EBAD. "This induction belongs to every EBAD employee, past and present, whose precision and dedication have helped carry Connecticut manufacturing from mining safety caps to the Moon and beyond." The Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Forum, presented by Connecticut Office of Manufacturing, brought together manufacturers, educators and state leaders to explore the technologies, strategies and workforce solutions shaping the industry's future. EBAD served as an event sponsor alongside RBC Bearings, Trumpf, CLA and Raymond James, with Fox61 as media partner. Founded in 2014, the American Manufacturing Hall of Fame honors Connecticut's manufacturing and innovation legacy, celebrating a state that has served as a birthplace of innovation for more than 350 years - from the helicopter and the nuclear submarine to the first spacesuit worn on the Moon. americanmanufacturinghof.com