Manager, Automation and Controls Engineering

Castelion Corporation•Torrance, CA

About The Position

Castelion is seeking a Manager of Automation and Controls Engineering to lead the design, deployment, and sustainment of automated manufacturing systems and industrial controls for solid rocket motor and hypersonic hardware production. The role owns the automation and controls engineering function supporting process equipment, robotic cells, motion control, safety systems, and data integration across propellant-adjacent operations, case fabrication, liner application, nozzle assembly, bonding, forming, and final motor integration. The manager will build and lead a team of automation and controls engineers delivering safe, reliable, high-throughput systems for rapid iteration and high-rate production, including programs such as Blackbeard. The role partners with Manufacturing Engineering, Tooling, Quality, Design, and Site Operations, and serves as the technical authority for controls architecture and automation standards across development and production sites. It supports facility ramp and production scaling in Midland, Texas, and at the Project Ranger campus in New Mexico. The position may require access to classified information or restricted U.S. Government sites, systems, or information; applicable clearance, government authorization, citizenship, or other eligibility requirements may apply if the position is designated accordingly. Access to export-controlled information is required, subject to applicable export-control eligibility requirements. A bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field is required; a master's degree is preferred. The position requires at least eight years of relevant engineering experience and at least three years leading engineers or serving as a technical lead. Castelion states that it offers a generous benefits package and directs candidates to its Careers page for details.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
At least 8 years of automation, controls, or manufacturing equipment engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or complex process manufacturing.
At least 3 years leading engineers or serving as a technical lead on automation and controls programs.
Demonstrated success designing, commissioning, and sustaining industrial automation systems in a production environment.
Strong experience with industrial automation platforms such as Rockwell, Siemens, or Beckhoff (or equivalent), robotics, servo/motion control, and machine vision.
Proficiency in PLC programming, HMI/SCADA development, industrial networks (EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, Profinet), and safety PLCs.
Working knowledge of electrical design tools, system architecture, and integration with manufacturing equipment.
Familiarity with functional safety standards, hazardous-location requirements, and production-system design.
Ability to interface with tooling and process engineering teams on work-cell constraints.
Understanding of aerospace quality systems (AS9100) and configuration control for control systems.
Proven ability to lead and develop automation and controls engineers while retaining technical credibility.
Strong collaboration with Manufacturing, Tooling, Design, and Operations teams.
Clear communication of technical risk, schedule, and cost to leadership.
Hands-on problem-solving mindset and attention to system reliability.
Safety-first approach in facilities that handle energetic materials.
Ability to access applicable export-controlled information without additional export licensing being required; employment is contingent upon meeting the stated export-control requirements.
If the position is designated as requiring it, ability to obtain and maintain the required U.S. Government security clearance or other government authorization and satisfy applicable citizenship or other eligibility requirements.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a related engineering field.
Direct automation and controls experience on solid rocket motor, munitions, or energetic-materials manufacturing equipment.
Background in fast-paced defense or space manufacturing environments.
Experience scaling automation from development to high-rate production.
Prior people leadership of an automation or controls engineering team.
Familiarity with ITAR programs, classified manufacturing, and energetic-materials facilities.
Track record improving equipment uptime, cycle time, or process capability through automation.

Responsibilities

Lead the automation and controls engineering team, including setting priorities and technical direction, hiring, mentoring, and performance management.
Own the design, review, and qualification of automated work cells, robotic systems, motion control, PLC/HMI/SCADA architectures, and safety-rated controls for solid rocket motor manufacturing processes.
Establish and enforce standards for controls design, programming, documentation, industrial networking, and system integration.
Drive Design for Automation input into new product introduction, equipment selection, and process changes.
Partner with Manufacturing Engineering and Tooling on work-cell concepts, fixture interfaces, and semi-automated or fully automated solutions.
Oversee system commissioning, FAT/SAT, production release, and ongoing support for automation and controls equipment.
Manage vendor selection, capital planning, spare-parts strategy, and continuous improvement of existing automation systems.
Ensure automation and controls designs meet functional safety, hazardous-location, and energetic-materials safety requirements.
Integrate data collection, MES interfaces, and digital tools to support process monitoring and traceability.
Support facility ramp and production scaling at Midland, Texas, and the Project Ranger campus in New Mexico.
Report automation readiness, reliability, risk, cost, and schedule metrics to senior manufacturing leadership.