DESCRIPTIONWho Our New Team Member Will Be:We are seeking a Senior Lead Automation / Industrial Engineer to serve as a Senior Technical Lead and subject matter expert (SME) supporting the design, development, integration, and improvement of industrial automation and manufacturing processes for the Energetics Department. The role emphasizes sound process engineering judgment, cross-disciplinary technical guidance, and practical equipment experience. This position provides technical leadership from concept through installation, testing, startup, and commissioning while working closely with mechanical, controls, manufacturing, project management, suppliers, and customers. Prior experience supporting U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) programs or ordnance, ammunition, or energetics manufacturing is strongly preferred.
What Our Senior Lead Automation / Industrial Engineer will do:Essential Job Functions/Duties- Provides technical leadership for automation, industrial equipment, and process development from initial concept through design, integration, installation, testing, startup, and commissioning.
- Evaluates manufacturing operations and recommends practical improvements in throughput, reliability, maintainability, quality, safety, and overall process performance.
- Develops and reviews process requirements, equipment concepts, system layouts, functional sequences, operating philosophies, and technical specifications.
- Coordinates with mechanical, controls, manufacturing, operations, project management, and supplier teams to support integrated equipment and process solutions.
- Supports proposals, scope development, design reviews, factory acceptance testing (FAT), commissioning, troubleshooting, and field startup activities.
- Serves as a customer-facing technical resource, communicating technical rationale, alternatives, trade-offs, risks, and recommended solutions in a clear and practical manner.
- Provides cross-disciplinary technical guidance while supporting established Engineering and Project Management responsibilities and project authority.
- Participates in process hazard reviews and promotes compliance with applicable safety, quality, regulatory, and customer requirements.
- Identifies opportunities to standardize equipment, controls interfaces, process methods, and engineering practices to improve repeatability and reduce execution risk.
- Supports preparation and review of technical documentation, including operating descriptions, procedures, O&M information, engineering reports, and customer submittals.
- Provides technical mentoring and guidance to engineers, technicians, and project team members and assists with resolution of complex technical issues.
- Travels to customer, supplier, and project sites as required; occasional project-site travel is expected.
- Has the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance when required by assigned programs.
- Performs other job duties as assigned and deemed appropriate by management.
Minimum Qualifications- Educational Background:
- Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Automation, or a related Engineering discipline; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
- Technical Skills:
- Substantial senior-level experience with industrial processes, machinery, automated production systems, and equipment integration.
- Demonstrated ability to resolve complex technical issues and guide multidisciplinary engineering efforts from concept through implementation.
- Experience developing or reviewing process requirements, equipment concepts, layouts, functional sequences, and technical specifications.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively across Mechanical Engineering, Controls, Manufacturing, Operations, Project Management, Supply Chain, customers, and suppliers.
- Ability to evaluate manufacturing processes and identify improvements in throughput, reliability, maintainability, quality, and safety.
- Demonstrated skills in creating and reviewing technical documentation, procedures, presentations, and engineering reports.
- Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences, including customers, suppliers, technicians, engineering teams, and management.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
- Cultural Fit:
- Ownership leadership style with a willingness to mentor and develop others.
- Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams and support collaborative technical decision-making.
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify practical solutions and communicate recommendations clearly.
- High attention to detail while maintaining an understanding of overall project objectives, cost, schedule, and customer needs.
- Curiosity and lifelong learning with a desire to explore new processes, equipment, technologies, and methods.
- Commitment to continuous improvement and to strengthening engineering and manufacturing practices across the organization.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience supporting U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) programs or ordnance, ammunition, or energetics manufacturing.
- Practical experience with process equipment, automated production machinery, equipment integration, factory testing, commissioning, and startup.
- Experience participating in process hazard reviews and working within safety-driven or hazardous manufacturing environments.
- Demonstrated senior technical leadership or SME experience supporting complex industrial automation or manufacturing programs.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:- Environment is neutral with low to moderate noise exposure and includes a semi-seated position requiring extended use of a computer and computer equipment.
- The employee may be required to stand, walk, reach, lift with arms and hands (25 lbs or less), climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl while supporting equipment, manufacturing, or field activities.
- Work may include visits to manufacturing floors, customer facilities, supplier facilities, and project sites where appropriate personal protective equipment and site safety requirements apply.
Our team gains more than just compensation with IPS:- 401K with company match
- Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
- PTO
- Life and Accidental Death Insurance
- Development and Career Growth Opportunities
Please contact:Interview Plan: Initial Teams meeting with HR or Hiring Manager (shared screen with no AI assistance required) followed by small in person panel interview. Other interviews may be required as needed.
IPS operates a 26,000-square-foot facility in Arlington, Texas, and an additional 35,000-square-foot facility in neighboring Grand Prairie, Texas, midway between Dallas and Fort Worth. Our fully air-conditioned office, manufacturing, and assembly space provides the ideal environment for designing, testing, and producing high-performance automation systems.
