VP / General Manager, Defense Manufacturing

Role overview

Curtiss-Wright is hiring a Vice President / General Manager to run Indal Technologies, an $85M to $100M business unit within the Naval & Power Segment and EMS Division in Mississauga, Ontario. This is a senior onsite leadership role overseeing a mission-critical naval technology business that serves demanding maritime environments. The position carries full profit and loss responsibility and is focused on sharpening strategy, improving execution, lifting performance, and supporting long-term growth.

The business has a strong technical base, essential products, and established customer partnerships in the naval and defense sector. The leader in this role will guide the next stage of growth, operational discipline, customer alignment, and organizational development.

Compensation

The stated base salary range is $275,000 to $325,000, along with short-term and long-term incentives. This range is provided as a general guide only; the final offer will depend on qualifications, relevant experience, scope of the position, and market/business considerations.

What you will lead

You will provide overall direction for the business, including strategy, operations, financial outcomes, customer satisfaction, technology development, and organizational capability. You will quickly build a deep understanding of the company’s customers, products, plans, performance drivers, and risk areas, while ensuring that strong controls and responsive management practices are in place.

You will also own the development and execution of initiatives that improve revenue, profitability, cash generation, operational efficiency, and long-term business resilience. That includes reviewing the value proposition, updating operating plans, and setting immediate as well as medium-term priorities.

Business growth and market development

A major part of the role is expanding the business through market growth, geographic reach, new product development, and stronger customer engagement in both domestic and international markets. You will help shape branding and go-to-market plans, and make sure the team has the right tools, positioning, and promotional support for successful launches and growth efforts.

Engineering, operations, and execution

You will guide applications engineering, R&D, product development, technology roadmaps, long-range planning, and sustaining engineering so that the business stays aligned with customer needs, market demands, and future technology requirements.

Operational accountability includes lead time, on-time delivery, quality, safety, cost management, waste reduction, and compliance with relevant company, local, national, and industry standards. You will address technical, production, talent, and customer issues proactively to support reliable execution and continuous improvement.

Stakeholder relationships

The role requires close working relationships with customers, sales representatives, third-party providers, suppliers, and internal partners. You will be expected to build trust, collaborate effectively, and strengthen the business through strong external and internal partnerships.

Curtiss-Wright expects its leaders to deliver results with integrity, develop capable teams, and create lasting value for customers, employees, and shareholders.

Candidate profile

The ideal candidate is a growth-focused senior leader with a strong record of managing complex technical, manufacturing, and commercial organizations. Experience in a multi-product and multi-value-stream environment is important, along with the business discipline needed to improve performance, manage working capital, and meet financial goals.

You should be both strategic and practical: able to set direction, communicate a clear vision, make sound decisions in uncertain situations, and step into problem-solving when needed. The role also requires credibility across engineering, operations, sales, marketing, supply chain, quality, finance, and customer-facing teams.

The company is looking for someone with an entrepreneurial mindset, urgency, strong communication skills, and the ability to build trust with customers, employees, suppliers, and senior leadership. Talent leadership is central to the role, including hiring, retaining, coaching, and developing people, with safety, customer service, and quality treated as core responsibilities.

Education and experience

A bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field is required. An advanced degree in Business Management, Marketing, or a related discipline is preferred.

You should bring at least 10 to 12 years of direct industry experience managing business functions, with leadership exposure across manufacturing operations, sales, marketing, product development, and financial performance. Experience leading a complex multi-product, multi-value-stream business is required, including improving working capital through inventory, receivables, and payables management.

Experience with international supply chains, multinational operations, and international business is required. Background in acquisition integration is a strong advantage. Familiarity with machining, assembly, and test environments is important, including the associated processes, equipment, safety considerations, and operational requirements.

Experience in lower-cost supply countries, especially China, is an asset. Knowledge of standards and regulations such as ASME, ISO 9000, API, PED, CSA, and CSQL is preferred.

About the business

Indal Technologies, part of Curtiss-Wright Corporation, supplies aircraft handling and array handling systems. The business focuses on solving complex shipboard equipment handling challenges for domestic and international navies and coast guards across surface vessels and submarines.

Benefits

The company offers paid time off, a 401(k) with employer match and profit sharing, health and wellness benefits, learning and development opportunities, a referral program, competitive compensation, recognition, an employee stock purchase plan, and an inclusive, supportive culture.

Additional information

Location: Onsite in Mississauga, Ontario.

Values and ESG: the company highlights its values along with environmental, social, and governance commitments.