Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officer
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Salary Not Disclosed
1 Vacancy
Job Description
Paragon is a Tucson-based aerospace and defense company developing life support and thermal control solutions for extreme environments-from space and undersea to high-altitude aviation. Founded by entrepreneurs and engineers Paragon has delivered innovative mission-critical technologies to government agencies prime contractors and research institutions for more than 32 years.
The company is known for its program execution patented technologies and collaboration with NASA and commercial spaceflight providers. Its environmental control systems are technically rigorous often low-volume and high-complexity and designed for applications where failure is not an option.
Paragon transitions from a founder-led structure and is building the institutional strength needed for sustainable long-term growth. The workforce includes legacy staff with deep institutional knowledge and newer technical professionals with fresh capabilities. Leadership will continue aligning culture accountability and productivity across the company while expanding project leadership capacity.
About the Role
Paragon seeks a strategic grounded and forward-looking CEO to guide the company through its next stage of growth. This role is ideal for an experienced executive who can lead from the front-embedding structure elevating execution and stewarding long-term value.
The CEO will be based full-time in Tucson and travel as needed to engage with customers vendors partners and stakeholders. This role requires active presence with employees and programs and effective communication with internal and external audiences. During an initial transition period the CEO will work closely with the Board and the Office of the CEO (OCEO).
This is a role for a builder: someone who can lead both institutional maturation and innovation and who can scale operational excellence without sacrificing Paragons mission-driven culture.
Initial Priorities
Build trust with employees shareholders and the Board through transparency credibility and communication.
Evaluate operational performance and identify opportunities to align resources with priorities.
Strengthen performance metrics and accountability frameworks across the organization.
Advance the execution of Paragons strategic plan with clear priorities and timelines.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Execution
Refine and execute a strategic roadmap that supports long-term business value and market positioning.
Ensure the organizational structure supports current objectives and future growth.
Evaluate opportunities for strategic partnerships and long-term investment.
Operational & Organizational Leadership
Build and lead a high-performing executive team grounded in accountability collaboration and results.
Promote strong financial stewardship internal communication and goal alignment across teams.
Transition leadership responsibilities from the OCEO to the permanent executive team.
Expand engineering and program management depth to improve delivery mentorship and cost control.
Oversee hardware development lifecycle-from design through certification-for high-risk environments.
Ensure compliance with all applicable aerospace and government standards.
Board & Stakeholder Relations
Serve as the principal liaison to the Board of Directors providing transparent reporting and forward insight.
Leverage the Boards expertise to inform governance and strategic direction.
Business Development & Market Positioning
Drive business development efforts or recruit and oversee a resolute leader for this function.
Expand Paragons market presence across government and commercial sectors.
Build long-term customer relationships with NASA prime contractors and commercial aerospace firms.
Represent Paragon externally in high-stakes industry customer and investor conversations.
Candidate Profile/ Experience
Executive leadership experience (CEO GM Division Head) in a mid-size technology aerospace or defense business.
Demonstrated success in business development program oversight and customer relationship management.
Experience scaling organizations leading transformation or stewarding growth-stage companies.
History of Board engagement and shareholder reporting.
Familiarity with M&A strategic investment or equity-backed environments preferred.
Competency
Strong executive presence and communication skills both written and verbal.
Structured analytical thinker with fluency in business performance metrics and capital allocation.
Collaborative leadership style with a focus on trust accountability and team development.
Cultural Fit
Comfortable in a founder-legacy organization where relationships mission and values matter.
Pragmatic and grounded; can lead change while respecting what works.
Committed to Paragons purpose and capable of championing its evolving culture.
Desired Attributes
Experience managing technically intensive programs under tight mission constraints.
Familiarity with deployment in hostile or regulated environments (spaceflight aerospace defense).
Record of balancing innovation and operational reliability in entrepreneurial settings.
Compensation
Paragon offers a competitive compensation package including base salary performance-based bonus equity and potential long-term incentives.
Required Experience:
Chief
Employment Type
Full-Time
