HMX Production Engineer

JOB DESCRIPTION

HMX Production Engineer

Department

Programs

Reports To

Deputy Head of Programs

Location

Primarily onsite, with travel as required

FLSA Status

Exempt

Program

Continuous Flow HMX Production Program

Employment Type

Full-Time

Position Summary

Critical Materials Group (CMG) is developing advanced domestic energetic material manufacturing capabilities through implementation of a Continuous Flow HMX production system designed to improve safety, reproducibility, scalability, and manufacturing resilience. The CF HMX Project Engineer serves as the technical execution lead for the HMX Program and is responsible for supporting facility construction, equipment installation, process integration, automation implementation, commissioning, startup, and operational readiness activities. Working under the direction of the Deputy Head of Programs and in close coordination with the Senior CF RDX Project Engineer, this individual will lead day-to-day engineering activities for the HMX effort while helping establish future CMG manufacturing capabilities. This position is intended to develop future technical leadership within CMG while providing a dedicated engineering focal point for the HMX program.

Key Responsibilities

Program Execution

• Serve as the engineering lead for the Continuous Flow HMX program.

• Support execution of program activities in accordance with approved cost, schedule, and technical baselines.

• Assist in development and maintenance of detailed execution schedules.

• Track technical progress and identify execution risks.

• Support program reviews, milestone demonstrations, and sponsor engagements.

Facility Construction & Equipment Integration

• Coordinate facility construction activities supporting the HMX production capability.

• Support installation and integration of process equipment, instrumentation, and supporting infrastructure.

• Coordinate with vendors, contractors, and facility personnel.

• Participate in construction acceptance and readiness reviews.

• Ensure equipment installations support future production operations.

Process Implementation

• Support implementation of externally developed HMX process designs.

• Review process documentation and identify opportunities for improvement.

• Participate in process scale-up, optimization, and operational readiness activities.

• Support process hazard analyses and operating procedure development.

• Work closely with the Senior CF RDX Project Engineer to capture and apply lessons learned.

Automation & Digital Integration

• Facilitate process control automation & digital systems development and validation of:

• Process control strategies

• Instrumentation requirements

• Data collection systems

• Operational dashboards

• Process monitoring approaches

• Support testing and validation of automation systems during commissioning.

• Ensure process requirements are incorporated into controls and automation architecture.

Commissioning & Startup

• Support development of commissioning plans and startup procedures.

• Participate in dry runs, integrated system testing, and operational demonstrations.

• Assist in troubleshooting technical issues during startup activities.

• Coordinate startup activities with technicians, automation personnel, and contractors.

• Support development of operational readiness metrics.

Technical Documentation

• Support development and maintenance of Technical Data Packages (TDPs).

• Maintain configuration-controlled engineering documentation.

• Assist in preparation and review of:

• PFDs

• P&IDs

• Equipment specifications

• Operating procedures

• Maintenance procedures

• Commissioning documentation

Production Readiness

• Coordinate with Production and Operations personnel.

• Support development of operating procedures and training materials.

• Participate in technician training and qualification activities.

• Support readiness reviews and turnover planning.

• Ensure operational lessons learned are documented and incorporated into future efforts.

Safety & Compliance

• Support compliance with explosives safety, environmental, and occupational safety requirements.

• Participate in hazard analyses and risk assessments.

• Support development of safe operating procedures.

• Promote strong safety culture throughout project activities.

• Coordinate closely with Operations and Safety personnel.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Process Engineering, or related technical discipline.

Experience

• Minimum 5–10 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or 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 ability to obtain one.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Provide technical direction to assigned technicians supporting the HMX effort.

• Coordinate activities with:

• Automation & Digital Systems

• Production

• Operations

• Safety & Compliance

• Contractors and vendors

• Support mentoring and development of junior technical personnel.

• Contribute to development of CMG engineering standards and best practices.

What Success Looks Like

Within the first 12–18 months, the CF HMX Project Engineer has:

• Successfully supported construction and integration of the Continuous Flow HMX capability.

• Implemented lessons learned from the RDX program into HMX execution.

• Coordinated successful commissioning and startup activities.

• Developed complete engineering documentation and technical data packages.

• Established robust operational and safety practices.

• Successfully transitioned the HMX capability to Production and Operations organizations.

• Demonstrated readiness for progression into senior project engineering and technical leadership roles.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

Primarily onsite supporting CF HMX facility construction, commissioning, and startup activities, with travel as required to vendor, contractor, and equipment sites.

This job description reflects the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Critical Materials Group reserves the right to amend this description at any time.