Manager, Automation and Controls Engineering

Why Castelion, Why Now Castelion is moving incredibly fast to develop and deliver advanced defense systems at a time when execution matters more than ever. We believe focus, ownership, and excellence are decisive advantages - and we're building a world-class team to turn bold ideas into real capability. This is a rare opportunity to join at an early stage, where you'll have significant ownership, collaborate with exceptional teammates, and make a direct, measurable impact on our mission and the future of the company - regardless of your function. Manager, Automation and Controls Engineering Solid Rocket Motors – Aerospace & Defense Position Overview We are seeking a Manager of Automation and Controls Engineering to lead the design, deployment, and sustainment of automated manufacturing systems and industrial controls for Castelion’s solid rocket motor and hypersonic hardware production. This role owns the automation and controls engineering function supporting process equipment, robotic cells, motion control, safety systems, and data integration across propellant-adjacent operations, case fabrication, liner application, nozzle assembly, bonding, forming, and final motor integration. You will build and lead a team of automation and controls engineers who deliver safe, reliable, high-throughput systems that enable rapid iteration and high-rate production for programs including Blackbeard. You will partner closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Tooling, Quality, Design, and Site Operations while serving as the technical authority for controls architecture and automation standards across development and production sites. Key Responsibilities • Lead the automation and controls engineering team, including priorities, technical direction, hiring, mentoring, and performance. • Own the design, review, and qualification of automated work cells, robotic systems, motion control, PLC/HMI/SCADA architectures, and safety-rated controls for SRM manufacturing processes. • Establish and enforce standards for controls design, programming, documentation, industrial networking, and system integration. • Drive Design for Automation input into new product introduction, equipment selection, and process changes. • Partner with Manufacturing Engineering and Tooling on work-cell concepts, fixture interfaces, and semi-automated or fully automated solutions. • Oversee system commissioning, FAT/SAT, production release, and ongoing support for automation and controls equipment. • Manage vendor selection, capital planning, spare-parts strategy, and continuous improvement of existing automation systems. • Ensure automation and controls designs meet functional safety, hazardous-location, and energetic-materials safety requirements. • Integrate data collection, MES interfaces, and digital tools to support process monitoring and traceability. • Support facility ramp and production scaling at Midland, TX and the Project Ranger campus in New Mexico. • Report automation readiness, reliability, risk, cost, and schedule metrics to senior manufacturing leadership. Required Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, or related field required. Master’s degree preferred. Experience: • 8+ years of automation, controls, or manufacturing equipment engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or complex process manufacturing. • 3+ years leading engineers or serving as a technical lead on automation and controls programs. • Demonstrated success designing, commissioning, and sustaining industrial automation systems in a production environment. Technical Skills • Strong experience with industrial automation platforms (Rockwell, Siemens, Beckhoff or equivalent), robotics, servo/motion control, and machine vision. • Proficiency in PLC programming, HMI/SCADA development, industrial networks (EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, Profinet), and safety PLCs. • Working knowledge of electrical design tools, system architecture, and integration with manufacturing equipment. • Familiarity with functional safety standards, hazardous-location requirements, and production-system design. • Ability to interface with tooling and process engineering teams on work-cell constraints. • Understanding of aerospace quality systems (AS9100) and configuration control for control systems. Preferred Experience • Direct automation and controls experience on solid rocket motor, munitions, or energetic-materials manufacturing equipment. • Background in fast-paced defense or space manufacturing environments. • Experience scaling automation from development to high-rate production. • Prior people leadership of an automation or controls engineering team. • Familiarity with ITAR programs, classified manufacturing, and energetic-materials facilities. • Track record improving equipment uptime, cycle time, or process capability through automation. Soft Skills • Proven ability to lead and develop automation and controls engineers while retaining technical credibility. • Strong collaboration with Manufacturing, Tooling, Design, and Operations teams. • Clear communication of technical risk, schedule, and cost to leadership. • Hands-on problem-solving mindset and attention to system reliability. • Safety-first approach in facilities that handle energetic materials. Castelion offers a generous benefits package. Please refer to the bottom of our Careers page for more details. Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Additional Eligibility Requirements This position may require access to classified information or restricted U.S. Government sites, systems, or information, as determined by the Company and/or applicable U.S. Government requirements. If the position is so designated, your employment in the role may be contingent upon your ability to obtain and maintain the required U.S. Government security clearance or other government authorization, and to satisfy any citizenship or other eligibility requirements imposed by applicable law, regulation, executive order, or government contract requirements. You will be notified if and when such requirements apply. Affirmative Action/EEO Statement Castelion is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Castelion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, participate in the interview process, or otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact hr@castelion.com. Requests for accommodation will be considered on an individual basis and handled in accordance with applicable law. Castelion is committed to fostering a workplace where employment decisions are based on qualifications, business needs, and the ability to perform the essential functions of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation. EAR/ITAR Requirements This position requires access to export-controlled information, and as such, employment (or hiring of a contractor) is contingent upon the candidate’s ability to access all applicable export-controlled information without additional export licensing being required by the Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.