Process Engineer - Energetics, Continuous Flow HMX

JOB DESCRIPTION

Process Engineer, Energetics (Continuous Flow HMX)

Department

Programs

Program

Continuous Flow HMX Production Program

Reports To

Deputy Head of Programs

Location

Ballinger, TX

Work Arrangement

Primarily on-site

Travel

As required to vendor, contractor, and equipment sites

FLSA Status

Exempt

Employment Type

Full-time

Clearance

Not required (active Secret or ability to obtain preferred)

POSITION SUMMARY

Critical Materials Group (CMG) is developing advanced domestic energetic material manufacturing capabilities through a Continuous Flow HMX production system designed 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. Working under the direction of the Deputy Head of Programs and in close coordination with the Senior Process Engineer, Energetics (CF RDX), this individual will lead day-to-day engineering activities for the HMX effort while helping establish future CMG manufacturing capabilities. The position provides a dedicated engineering focal point for the HMX program and is intended to develop future technical leadership within CMG.

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 developing and maintaining 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 Process Engineer, Energetics (CF RDX) to capture and apply lessons learned.

Automation & Digital Integration

▪ Facilitate development and validation of process control automation and digital systems, including:

○ 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 a strong safety culture throughout project activities.

▪ Coordinate closely with Operations and Safety personnel.

Leadership

▪ 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

First 12–18 months

▪ 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.

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

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

▪ Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Process Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

▪ 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.

Preferred

▪ 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.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

▪ Primarily on-site supporting CF HMX facility construction, commissioning, and startup activities.

▪ Travel as required to vendor, contractor, and equipment sites.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

▪ Successful completion of a background check and drug screening

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Base salary: To be determined. This role is also eligible for CMG’s full benefits package.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Critical Materials Group is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.