The future must be created.
01 THE ROLE
Chemistry is the invisible layer under every critical system, and the supply chain behind it has become a weapon. Ohr makes the molecules that matter most, from the atom up: energetics, propellants, rare-earth extractants and the ignition chemicals already in production today.
As a Senior Energetics Development Scientist, you own our energetics chemistry from bench to pilot. The legacy route to TATB depends on a chlorinated precursor sourced entirely from foreign manufacturers and leaves chloride in the finished material, where it becomes a long-term corrosion risk inside sensitive munitions. Our route starts from a precursor we make ourselves, is chlorine-free, and runs continuously rather than accumulating hazardous intermediate. The program goes from a 1 kg characterized sample in early 2027 to a validated 10 kg/day pilot plant in 2029. This role reports to the Director of Synthetic Chemistry and is the technical anchor for the energetics vertical.
THE KIND OF PEOPLE THIS WORK DEMANDS
Our mission demands more than great science. It requires a particular kind of team — visionary builders, hustlers, scientists, operators. Together, we carry both the technical depth to make the chemistry work and the commercial instinct to make the business thrive. People are our engine. Collaboration is our multiplier.
02 WHAT YOU'LL DESIGN AND BUILD
Own reaction design, data quality and technical progression for TATB and related insensitive high explosives, from route selection through scale-ready development
Direct the design of experiments that downselects the production pathway, including work carried out at partner laboratories, and own the kinetic and thermodynamic dataset that becomes the pilot design basis
Convert conventional batch exothermic and corrosive steps into continuous flow systems that never accumulate hazardous intermediate above the design inventory limit
Demonstrate control of crystal size and morphology across at least two target specifications, and carry that control from the bench into the pilot skid
Lead analytical assessment using DSC, TGA, XRD and SEM, alongside NMR, FTIR and quality and impurity testing
Support process development for crystallization and milling, and formulation into polymer bonded explosives, including qualification work against PBXN-7 and PBXN-12 and legacy systems such as PBX-9502 and LX-17
Develop and maintain process documentation, SOPs and work instructions for energetics synthesis
Carry the chemistry into the engineering sequence: design reviews, HAZOP closure, safety loop verification, and the step-up from bench batches to sustained pilot production
Act as subject matter expert on energetics assessment and IP landscaping
Uphold and exemplify excellence in laboratory safety, chemical hygiene and responsible research practice
03 WHAT YOU BRING WITH YOU
You want real ownership. You are comfortable making technical decisions where not everything is predefined, and taking responsibility for whether a chemistry program succeeds. Academic, industrial or startup background all work here, as long as you are looking for a role where your judgment sets direction and your chemistry leaves the lab. You likely have:
A PhD in organic chemistry, chemical engineering or materials science with a minimum of 5 years of post-graduate experience focused on energetic material synthesis and handling, or a BS in chemistry, chemical engineering or materials science with a minimum of 10 years of the same
Deep understanding of the chemistry of insensitive high explosives, with a proven track record in nitro-group chemistry and amination processes
Familiarity with energetic material sensitivity, thermal stability and compatibility considerations
Hands-on experience converting batch reactions to flow or continuous processes
Experience working with international technical teams or external partners, and directing work you do not personally execute
The ability to manage ITAR- and export-controlled information
Process safety and risk management judgment, strong documentation habits, and comfort in high-hazard manufacturing environments
Strong plus
Polymer bonded explosives formulation and casting
Familiarity with DoW explosive safety standards, for example DoW 4145.26 and MIL specifications
An active security clearance, or the ability to obtain one
Continuous crystallization and particle engineering
Operating experience inside an ATF-licensed facility, including magazine and quantity-distance practice
Scale-up from bench through pilot on a program with government milestones attached to it
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
AFTER 3 MONTHS
The pathway downselect is made and defended, with the kinetic dataset behind it, and it holds as the design basis for the pilot skid
AFTER 6–12 MONTHS
A 1 kg characterized sample is delivered for formulation testing in PBXN-7 and PBXN-12, with the full characterization package behind it
Bench control of crystal size and morphology is demonstrated across two target specifications, with no accumulation of hazardous intermediate above the design inventory limit
HOW YOU'LL WORK
Onsite, five days per week, in a fast-moving and highly collaborative R&D environment
Hands-on in HazMat and energetics laboratories with flammable, corrosive and other hazardous materials
Up to roughly 10% travel to support collaborators, partners or facilities
04 REQUIREMENTS
This role involves access to data and systems subject to U.S. export control regulations, including ITAR. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, or a protected individual as defined under 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).
This role also involves access to explosive materials. Candidates must be eligible to serve as an “employee possessor” of explosive materials under federal law, meaning they are not a prohibited person as defined under 18 U.S.C. § 842(i).
05 COMPENSATION
This is an onsite role based in the Denver–Boulder Metro Area (Lafayette, CO), with travel up to 15% to laboratories, partner facilities, and test sites. Relocation Assistance provided. The annual base salary range for this position is $155,000 – $205,000, commensurate with experience, plus equity. Final compensation will be determined based on skills, experience, and qualifications.
Be a creationary.
Skills Required
- PhD in organic chemistry, chemical engineering, or materials science with at least 5 years of post-graduate experience focused on energetic material synthesis and handling, or a BS in one of these fields with at least 10 years of relevant experience.
- Deep understanding of insensitive high-explosive chemistry, including nitro-group chemistry and amination processes.
- Familiarity with energetic material sensitivity, thermal stability, and compatibility considerations.
- Hands-on experience converting batch reactions to flow or continuous processes.
- Experience working with international technical teams or external partners and directing work not personally executed.
- Ability to manage ITAR- and export-controlled information.
- Process safety and risk-management judgment, strong documentation habits, and comfort in high-hazard manufacturing environments.
- Polymer bonded explosives formulation and casting.
- Familiarity with DoW explosive safety standards, including DoW 4145.26 and MIL specifications.
- Active security clearance or ability to obtain one.
- Continuous crystallization and particle engineering experience.
- Operating experience inside an ATF-licensed facility, including magazine and quantity-distance practices.
- Bench-to-pilot scale-up experience on a program with government milestones.
- U.S. citizenship, nationality, lawful permanent residence, or protected-individual status under 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).
- Eligibility to serve as an employee possessor of explosive materials under federal law.
What We Do
Ohr is building the chemical prime for critical government industries. Chemistry is the invisible foundation of every critical system, and the molecules that matter most are made by too few suppliers, in too few places, with too much dependence on adversaries. Ohr creates new routes to those molecules from abundant domestic feedstocks and manufactures them for the United States and its allies. The company builds four chemistries for a single system: ignition chemicals, already in production as a qualified domestic source; propellants and binders, including a cycloalkane rocket-grade kerosene denser than conventional RP-1; rare-earth extractants that separate neodymium and praseodymium at many times conventional selectivity; and insensitive explosives made without toxic intermediates. Ohr grows on two engines. The first is its chemistry platform, with a pipeline toward a hundred critical molecules. The second is acquiring the bottleneck that takes years to build: licensed sites, qualified lines and embedded defense customers. Every acquired plant becomes a home for Ohr molecules, and every new molecule adds product to plants Ohr already owns. Ohr is venture-backed with $75M raised, operates in the United States and Israel, and partners with U.S. and allied defense agencies, primes and industrial leaders. Welcome to Creationary Chemistry.
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