Manager, Energetics Test EngineeringSolid Rocket Motors & Energetics Testing - Aerospace & Defense Position Overview We are seeking a Manager of Energetics Test Engineering to lead the test engineering organization responsible for development, qualification, and production testing of solid rocket motors and related energetic hardware at Castelion. This role owns test planning, test system readiness, safe execution of static fire and related development tests, data quality, and the engineers who support those campaigns for hypersonic programs including Blackbeard. You will partner with Propulsion, Manufacturing, Site Operations, Quality, and range partners to deliver test results that mature hardware and support production decisions, while maintaining an uncompromising safety culture in high-consequence energetic environments.
Key Responsibilities - Lead the energetics test engineering team, including hiring, mentoring, priorities, and performance for engineers supporting SRM and related energetic testing.
- Own the test engineering roadmap for development, qualification, and production-acceptance testing of solid rocket motors and associated hardware.
- Direct development of test plans, procedures, instrumentation requirements, and success criteria for static fire and related development and qualification tests.
- Ensure test stands, instrumentation, data acquisition, and safety systems are ready, documented, and maintained for scheduled campaigns.
- Oversee real-time test support, data reduction, anomaly investigation, and formal test reporting in partnership with Propulsion and Quality.
- Coordinate with range safety, Site Operations, and external test facilities on schedules, constraints, and test readiness reviews.
- Drive continuous improvement in test efficiency, data integrity, instrumentation standards, and lessons learned across campaigns.
- Ensure compliance with DoD explosive safety standards, ATF requirements, ITAR, range safety, and site energetic-materials protocols.
- Support transition of test methods from R&D campaigns to repeatable production acceptance testing as programs scale.
- Report test readiness, safety, schedule, and technical risk to senior leadership and program teams.
- Partner with Manufacturing and Design on testability, hardware interfaces, and post-test hardware disposition.
Required Qualifications Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field required. Master's degree preferred.
Experience: - 8+ years of test engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or propulsion.
- 3+ years leading engineers or serving as a technical lead on energetic, ordnance, or solid rocket motor test programs.
- Demonstrated experience planning and supporting static fire or equivalent high-consequence propulsion tests.
Technical Skills - Strong knowledge of propulsion test planning, instrumentation, data acquisition, and post-test analysis.
- Experience with test stand interfaces, safety systems, and test readiness reviews for energetic hardware.
- Working knowledge of environmental and functional test methods used to qualify propulsion hardware.
- Familiarity with statistical analysis of test data and anomaly investigation methods.
- Ability to translate propulsion and program requirements into executable test plans and resource plans.
- Understanding of configuration control, test documentation, and aerospace quality systems.
Preferred Experience - Direct leadership of solid rocket motor static fire or missile propulsion test campaigns.
- Background in fast-paced defense or space organizations with aggressive development timelines.
- Experience supporting both development testing and production acceptance testing.
- Prior work at government or commercial test ranges.
- Familiarity with ITAR-controlled programs and classified test environments.
- Experience scaling a test engineering team as test cadence increases.
Castelion offers a generous benefits package. Please refer to the bottom of our Careers page for more details.
Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Additional Eligibility Requirements This position may require access to classified information or restricted U.S. Government sites, systems, or information, as determined by the Company and/or applicable U.S. Government requirements. If the position is so designated, your employment in the role may be contingent upon your ability to obtain and maintain the required U.S. Government security clearance or other government authorization, and to satisfy any citizenship or other eligibility requirements imposed by applicable law, regulation, executive order, or government contract requirements. You will be notified if and when such requirements apply.
