Director, CMG, Colorado

JOB DESCRIPTION

Director, CMG, Colorado

Department

Executive Leadership – Colorado

Reports To

Chief Science Officer, CMG

Location

Colorado

Work Arrangement

On-site

Travel

As required – government customers, program offices, CMG sites, and industry forums

FLSA Status

Exempt

Employment Type

Full-time

Direct Reports

Senior management team, CMG Colorado

Clearance

Secret required (or ability to obtain and maintain); Top Secret/SCI preferred

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director, CMG, Colorado is the senior-most executive responsible for the strategic direction, operational performance, financial health, and growth of CMG’s Colorado operations. The role combines technical credibility in energetic materials and munitions with strong business leadership, government contracting expertise, and full P&L ownership. The Director builds and leads high-performing teams, secures and executes Department of War (DoW) and related contracts, ensures rigorous safety and regulatory compliance, and positions the organization for sustainable growth in a highly regulated defense market. This role reports directly to Travis Swanson, Chief Science Officer of Critical Materials Group (CMG).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership & Vision

▪ Define and execute the long-term strategy aligned with the CMG executive team, with a focus on U.S. defense priorities in energetic materials, munitions modernization, and automated hazardous-environment systems.

▪ Set company-wide goals for technology roadmaps, market positioning, and capability development (synthesis/formulation/scale-up, munition design, and automation).

▪ Lead board and executive team interactions, investor/owner communications, and strategic decision-making.

Business Development & Capture

▪ Drive new business capture with DoW agencies (Army, Navy, Air Force, DTRA, etc.), primes, and allied partners.

▪ Oversee proposal development for RDT&E contracts specific to CMG Colorado and in support of broader CMG initiatives, including SBIR/STTR, OTAs, and production/support efforts.

▪ Build and maintain senior-level relationships with government program offices, laboratories, and industry partners.

▪ Identify and pursue adjacent opportunities (as approved by the executive team) in automated manufacturing, remote/hazardous operations, and related defense technologies.

Operational & Technical Oversight

▪ Provide executive oversight of RDT&E programs spanning energetic materials synthesis, formulation, scale-up, characterization, and safety testing.

▪ Guide munition and armament development activities from concept through prototype and transition.

▪ Ensure technical excellence and innovation in automated solutions for hazard-rated (Class I/Division 1 and equivalent) environments, including remote handling, process automation, and safety-interlocked systems.

▪ Maintain awareness of emerging technologies, threat environments, and DoW capability gaps relevant to the company’s portfolio.

Financial & Business Management

▪ Own full P&L responsibility, including budgeting, forecasting, cash management, and profitability targets.

▪ Oversee contract management, cost control, and compliance with FAR/DFARS, cost accounting standards, and audit requirements.

▪ Manage capital allocation for facilities, equipment, and capability investments, especially hazard-rated infrastructure and automation systems.

Safety, Security & Compliance

▪ Champion a strong safety culture appropriate for energetic materials and hazard-rated operations; ensure compliance with DoD explosives safety standards, ATF regulations, OSHA, and company-specific protocols.

▪ Maintain required facility and personnel security clearances and oversee industrial security (NISPOM/ITAR) programs.

▪ Ensure adherence to export controls, quality systems, and environmental requirements.

People & Organizational Leadership

▪ Recruit, develop, and retain top technical and operational talent in energetics, munitions engineering, automation/controls, and related disciplines.

▪ Build a high-performance culture that balances innovation, rigorous safety discipline, and mission focus.

▪ Lead the senior management team and set clear performance expectations across the organization.

External Representation

▪ Serve as the primary external face of CMG Colorado with CMG’s executive team, customers, partners, regulators, and industry associations.

▪ Represent the company at technical and business forums as appropriate.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

First 90 days

▪ Assess the Colorado team, programs, facilities, and contract portfolio, and align with the CMG executive team on strategic priorities and near-term targets.

▪ Establish direct relationships with key government program offices, laboratories, and prime partners.

▪ Confirm that safety, security, and compliance programs (DoD explosives safety, ATF, OSHA, NISPOM/ITAR) are fully in place, and close any gaps.

First 6–12 months

▪ Deliver an approved strategy, technology roadmap, and operating budget for CMG Colorado.

▪ Grow the contract pipeline and win new RDT&E and production/support awards with DoW customers and primes.

▪ Meet P&L and profitability targets while keeping a strong safety and compliance record.

▪ Build a senior management team with clear performance expectations and a plan to recruit key technical talent.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

▪ Bachelor’s degree in a relevant technical field (chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, mechanical/aerospace engineering, or related); advanced degree (MS/PhD) strongly preferred.

▪ 15+ years of progressive experience in the defense industry, with significant time in energetic materials, munitions/armament development, explosives manufacturing/scale-up, or related hazard-rated operations.

▪ Demonstrated executive or senior leadership experience (President, VP, General Manager, or equivalent) with P&L responsibility in a small-to-mid-size defense or advanced manufacturing company.

▪ Deep understanding of U.S. DoD acquisition processes, RDT&E contracting, and working with government laboratories and program offices.

▪ Proven track record of winning and executing government contracts, including RDT&E and production/support efforts.

▪ Strong knowledge of explosives safety, energetic materials handling, hazard classification, and automated systems for hazardous environments.

▪ Experience with ITAR, export controls, and industrial security requirements.

Preferred

▪ Direct experience with energetic materials synthesis, formulation, scale-up, or pilot-plant operations.

▪ Background in munition design, warhead/armament development, or related system integration.

▪ Experience implementing or overseeing automated/remote systems in explosive or highly hazardous manufacturing environments.

▪ Prior work with SBIR/STTR programs, Other Transaction Authorities, or rapid acquisition pathways.

▪ Experience scaling a small defense technology company or leading facility/capability expansion in hazard-rated settings.

▪ MBA or equivalent business training combined with a deep technical background.

Key Competencies & Attributes

▪ Strategic thinker who balances near-term execution with long-term capability building.

▪ Strong technical judgment and credibility with both engineers/scientists and government customers.

▪ Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills at senior levels.

▪ High integrity, a disciplined approach to safety and compliance, and a mission-oriented mindset.

▪ Comfortable operating in a small-company environment with hands-on involvement across strategy, business development, and operations.

▪ Resilient and decisive under the constraints of regulated, high-consequence work.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

▪ Office environment at an energetic materials RDT&E and manufacturing site, with regular time in laboratory, test, and production areas.

▪ Must follow all site safety protocols and wear required PPE when in hazard-rated areas.

▪ Travel as required to customers, government program offices, other CMG sites, and industry events; occasional extended hours to meet program and proposal deadlines.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

▪ Successful completion of a background check and drug screening

▪ U.S. citizenship required; access to ITAR/EAR export-controlled information

▪ Active U.S. Secret clearance (minimum), or the ability to obtain and maintain one

▪ ATF employee possessor eligibility

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Base salary: $160,000 – $167,000. This role is also eligible for CMG’s full benefits package.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Critical Materials Group is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.