Principal Energetics Technician - Grinding, Mixing, Compression Molding

Firehawk is a leading aerospace and defense company headquartered in Addison, Texas, pioneering advanced solid rocket propulsion technologies. Through innovative propellant formulations, continuous manufacturing, and compression molding, Firehawk is transforming how energetic materials are produced at scale. Our new facility in Lawton, Oklahoma, will leverage automated production equipment and centralized control systems to expand domestic propellant manufacturing capacity in support of critical national defense requirements.

Position Details: The Principal Energetics Technician is responsible for leading a crew of technicians in the safe and efficient operation of energetic material processes at Firehawk’s Lawton manufacturing facility. This single job posting represents three available positions, with individual technicians assigned to one of three primary production processes: grinding, mixing, or compression molding.

Each Principal Technician will oversee equipment setup, material preparation, and process monitoring within a highly automated manufacturing environment. Serving as the Principal Technician for their assigned process, this person will support equipment commissioning, operational readiness assessments, and the transition and execution of sustained production of live energetic materials.

The position reports to the Area Operations Manager and plays a critical role in maintaining safety, quality, and production performance.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to a team of technicians, support execution of daily work assignments, equipment preparation, material staging, and production readiness.
• Ensure assigned energetic-material production processes are conducted IAW approved procedures, ensuring safe, efficient, and consistent execution of approved manufacturing procedures.
• Operate and monitor automated production equipment and control systems, ensuring process parameters remain within established operating limits and specifications.
• Apply operational expertise to energetic-material processing operations, including grinding, mixing, compression molding, material handling, and associated production activities.
• Perform equipment setup, inspections, adjustments, and routine maintenance support, utilizing approved procedures, appropriate hand tools, measurement instruments, and diagnostic equipment.
• Support equipment commissioning, functional testing, inert trials, process qualification, and transition to live energetic operations following required safety approvals and readiness assessments.
• Follow all explosive-safety requirements, approved operating procedures, and established process limits. Exercise stop-work authority and promptly escalate unsafe conditions or process deviations.
• Train, mentor, and qualify technicians on equipment operation, process controls, material handling, safety procedures, and manufacturing best practices.
• Support quality assurance activities, including in-process inspections, material traceability, sampling, documentation, and identification of nonconforming materials.
• Participate in process-hazard reviews, operational readiness assessments, safety investigations, and internal or external audits.
• Maintain high standards of housekeeping, equipment care, contamination prevention, and workplace organization in accordance with applicable FOD, ESD, 5S, and explosive-safety requirements.

Basic Qualifications

• High school diploma with 7+ years of relevant manufacturing experience, or a technical degree/certification with 5+ years of experience.
• Demonstrated experience operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining industrial production equipment in a manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing safety practices, standard operating procedures (SOPs), process controls, equipment inspections, and production documentation.
• Experience leading, training, or providing technical direction to production technicians or equipment operators.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and hands-on proficiency with industrial tools, measurement instruments, and equipment diagnostics.
• Ability to interpret technical procedures, equipment documentation, process specifications, and manufacturing instructions.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, maintenance, quality, and production teams.
• Ability to work on-site in an industrial manufacturing environment and comply with applicable safety, personal protective equipment (PPE), and access-control requirements.
• Willingness to work flexible schedules, including modified shifts, overtime, and weekends, as production requirements dictate.
• Proficiency with standard computer applications for electronic production records, shift reports, and operational communications.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience manufacturing or processing energetic materials, explosives, propellants, or solid rocket motor components in a regulated production environment.
• Experience operating automated manufacturing equipment through industrial control systems, including HMI, SCADA, or other remote monitoring and control platforms.
• Experience with industrial grinding, mixing, extrusion, compression molding, or comparable material-processing equipment.
• Experience supporting equipment installation, commissioning, process qualification, production startup, or manufacturing scale-up.
• Familiarity with explosives-safety requirements, process-hazard analysis, operational readiness reviews, management of change, and corrective-action processes.
• Experience working with government customers, defense contractors, military installations, or government-regulated manufacturing programs. ITAR Requirements: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Work Environment and Physical Requirements: Employees in these positions must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer; stamina to sit and to maintain attention to detail despite interruptions; may occasionally lift/carry/push/pull up to 25 pounds; may require minimal walking, standing for extended amounts of time, climbing, crouching, and/or bending; and vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. May require the ability to travel by air or auto. May require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, safety shoes, and shop coat. Security Clearance: May be required to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance at the appropriate level. Requires U.S. Citizenship. Must also be able to satisfy federal government requirements for access to government information, and having dual citizenship may preclude you from being able to meet this requirement.

Benefits

at Firehawk Aerospace At Firehawk, we are committed to supporting the well-being of our employees and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to provide peace of mind and help you thrive both personally and professionally.

• Health Coverage: We offer 100% employer-paid medical premiums for employees and up to 75% coverage for dependents under select plans, with additional options for PPO and HDHP plans. Coverage begins the first of the month following your hire date.
• Dental and Vision Plans: Affordable dental and vision plans with extensive coverage options, including preventive care, orthodontics, and allowances for contacts and frames.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Access to free, confidential services, including counseling, legal consultations, wellness coaching, and virtual concierge services to support your work-life balance.
• Flexible Work Schedule: Enjoy a 9/80 schedule option, allowing for greater flexibility and work-life balance.
• On-Site Perks: Complimentary snacks and refreshments to keep you energized throughout the day.
• Professional Growth: Mentorship opportunities with industry-leading engineers and engagement in cutting-edge projects at the forefront of aerospace innovation. Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: Firehawk is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firehawk is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.