Energetics Manufacturing Engineer (L4)
Location: Culpeper, VA
Job Type: 12-Month Contract (Potential for Direct Hire)
Pay: $57.18/hour (W2) + Benefits
Schedule: 4/10 Work Schedule
Travel: Up to 25% travel to the East Coast
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Energetics Manufacturing Engineer to support and advance energetic materials manufacturing operations. This role focuses on process optimization, manufacturing improvements, automation integration, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with energetic materials manufacturing and a strong engineering background.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and optimize manufacturing processes for energetic materials while ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency.
- Lead process improvement initiatives to improve yield, reduce costs, and enhance operational performance.
- Integrate new technologies and automation into existing manufacturing processes.
- Manage New Process Introduction (NPI) activities, including process qualification, documentation, and production readiness.
- Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot specialized process equipment, including vertical mixers, fluid energy mills, and other energetic processing equipment.
- Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation, including SOPs, work instructions, process flow diagrams, and control plans.
- Ensure compliance with DoD 4145 standards and all applicable safety and regulatory requirements.
- Partner with safety, quality, operations, and program management teams to support production goals.
- Conduct hazard analyses and risk assessments related to energetic materials processing.
- Mentor junior engineers and production personnel.
- Support facility and equipment qualification, process validation, and acceptance testing.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
- Minimum 5 years of experience as a Manufacturing Engineer working directly with energetic materials.
- Proven experience leading process improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience with automation integration and new process introduction (NPI).
- Working knowledge of DoD 4145 regulations governing the storage, handling, and manufacturing of ammunition and explosives.
- U.S. Citizenship required (no dual citizenship).
- Must be eligible and willing to obtain a Secret Security Clearance if required during the assignment.
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years of experience in energetic materials manufacturing engineering.
- Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering preferred.
- Hands-on experience with vertical mixing systems, fluid energy mills, and other energetic materials processing equipment.
- Familiarity with Explosive Safety Site Plans (ESSPs), Quantity-Distance (Q-D) requirements, and related DoD/DoE safety standards.
- Experience working in a defense contractor or government manufacturing environment.
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
- Active DoD Security Clearance.
#WCH
Pay: $57.18 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- How many years of hands-on experience do you have working directly with energetic materials as a Manufacturing Engineer?
- Do you have experience working with DoD 4145 regulations related to the storage, handling, or manufacturing of ammunition and explosives?
- Do you have experience with New Process Introduction (NPI), process improvements, or manufacturing automation in an energetic materials environment?
- Are you a U.S. citizen (no dual citizenship), and are you willing to obtain a Secret Security Clearance if required?
Work Location: In person
