Process Engineer, Energetics (Continous Flow HMX)

Critical Materials Group•Ballinger, TX

19h•Onsite

About The Position

Critical Materials Group (CMG) is developing domestic energetic-material manufacturing capabilities through a Continuous Flow HMX production system intended to improve safety, reproducibility, scalability, and manufacturing resilience. The Process Engineer, Energetics serves as the technical execution lead for the HMX Program, supporting facility construction, equipment installation, process integration, automation implementation, commissioning, startup, and operational readiness. Under the direction of the Deputy Head of Programs and in close coordination with the Senior Process Engineer, Energetics (CF RDX), this person leads day-to-day engineering activities for the HMX effort and helps establish future CMG manufacturing capabilities. The role provides a dedicated engineering focal point for the program and is intended to develop future technical leadership within CMG. The position is primarily on-site in Ballinger, Texas, with travel as required to vendor, contractor, and equipment sites. A background check and drug screening are required. The role is exempt and full-time. Base salary is to be determined; the role is eligible for CMG’s full benefits package.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Process Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
At least 2 years of engineering experience.
Experience supporting industrial process facilities, manufacturing operations, pilot plants, or production systems.
Experience working with multidisciplinary technical teams.
Experience supporting equipment installation, startup, or manufacturing operations.
Demonstrated ability to manage technical tasks and coordinate stakeholders.
Successful completion of a background check and drug screening.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
Experience with energetic materials, explosives, propellants, specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals, or hazardous chemical processes.
Experience with continuous-flow processing.
Experience with automation systems, industrial controls, or process instrumentation.
Experience supporting commissioning or startup activities.
Familiarity with DDESB requirements and process safety management.
Active Secret clearance or the ability to obtain one.

Responsibilities

Serve as engineering lead for the Continuous Flow HMX program and support program execution against approved cost, schedule, and technical baselines.
Assist in developing and maintaining execution schedules, track technical progress, identify execution risks, and support program reviews, milestone demonstrations, and sponsor engagements.
Coordinate facility construction and support installation and integration of process equipment, instrumentation, and infrastructure.
Coordinate with vendors, contractors, and facility personnel; participate in construction acceptance and readiness reviews; and ensure installations support future production operations.
Support implementation of externally developed HMX process designs, review process documentation, and identify opportunities for improvement.
Participate in process scale-up, optimization, operational readiness, process hazard analyses, and operating-procedure development.
Work with the Senior Process Engineer, Energetics (CF RDX), to capture and apply lessons learned.
Facilitate development and validation of process-control automation and digital systems, including control strategies, instrumentation requirements, data collection systems, operational dashboards, and process monitoring approaches.
Support automation-system testing and validation during commissioning and ensure process requirements are incorporated into controls and automation architecture.
Support development of commissioning plans and startup procedures; participate in dry runs, integrated system testing, and operational demonstrations; and assist with troubleshooting during startup.
Coordinate startup activities with technicians, automation personnel, and contractors and support development of operational-readiness metrics.
Support development and maintenance of Technical Data Packages and configuration-controlled engineering documentation.
Assist in preparing and reviewing PFDs, P&IDs, equipment specifications, operating procedures, maintenance procedures, and commissioning documentation.
Coordinate with Production and Operations personnel; support operating procedures, training materials, technician training and qualification, readiness reviews, and turnover planning.
Document operational lessons learned and incorporate them into future efforts.
Support compliance with explosives safety, environmental, and occupational safety requirements; participate in hazard analyses and risk assessments; and promote safe operating practices and a strong safety culture.
Coordinate closely with Operations and Safety personnel.
Provide technical direction to assigned technicians and coordinate activities with Automation & Digital Systems, Production, Operations, Safety & Compliance, contractors, and vendors.
Support mentoring and development of junior technical personnel and contribute to CMG engineering standards and best practices.