Senior Manufacturing Automation and Robotics Engineer
Critical Materials Group · Critical Materials Group provides advanced materials and manufacturing solutions for defense, aerospace, and national security.
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JOB DESCRIPTION
Senior Manufacturing Automation & Robotics Engineer
Department
Programs — Automated Industrial Manufacturing of Energetics (AIME) / Load, Assemble, and Pack (LAP)
Reports To
Deputy Head of Programs
Location
Primarily on-site, Ballinger, TX with travel as required
FLSA Status
Exempt
Employment Type
Full-Time, Exempt
Direct Reports
Directs assigned technicians supporting AIME/LAP implementation; coordinates matrixed support from Automation & Digital Systems, Production, Operations, Safety & Compliance, Quality Assurance, and contractors/vendors
Position Summary
CMG is developing an advanced automated manufacturing capability for formulation, loading, assembly, packaging, and quality assurance of energetic materials and munitions components. The Senior Manufacturing Automation & Robotics Engineer serves as the technical execution lead for automation, robotics integration, material handling systems, digital manufacturing technologies, and commissioning activities associated with the AIME/LAP program — translating advanced manufacturing concepts into operational production systems through the integration of robotics, machine vision, industrial controls, automated material handling, digital work instructions, process monitoring, and manufacturing data systems. This role works closely with Production, Operations, and external equipment suppliers to establish scalable manufacturing capabilities that can be replicated across future CMG facilities. Energetics experience is desirable but not required — expertise in industrial automation, robotics, manufacturing systems integration, and production startup is the primary qualification.
Key Responsibilities
Program Execution: serve as engineering lead for the AIME/LAP Program; execute technical activities supporting cost, schedule, and performance objectives; develop implementation plans; identify and mitigate technical/schedule/integration risks; support sponsor reviews and milestone events.
Robotics & Automation Integration: lead integration of industrial robotics into manufacturing operations; define robotic work cells, material handling approaches, and automated workflows (robotic handling, automated assembly, machine vision, automated inspection, automated packaging, collaborative robotics); support scalable architectures replicable across future CMG facilities.
Manufacturing Systems Engineering: develop automated production workflows; optimize factory layouts for safety, throughput, quality, and maintainability; support material handling/conveyance/workstation automation and automated QA/production monitoring; evaluate emerging automation technologies.
Digital Manufacturing & Data Integration: establish enterprise manufacturing data architectures; support MES concepts, digital work instructions, electronic batch records, process monitoring, production dashboards, and automated reporting.
Controls & Systems Integration: coordinate with Controls Engineers and integrators on PLC architectures, HMI interfaces, machine safety systems, interlocks, sensor networks, and industrial communications.
Vendor & Contractor Management: serve as primary engineering interface for automation/robotics vendors; review proposals and specs; participate in design reviews, FAT, SAT, and installation reviews.
Commissioning & Startup: lead commissioning/startup of automated systems; develop startup plans, acceptance criteria, and readiness checklists; troubleshoot integration issues; support transition to operational production.
Production Readiness: coordinate with Production for manufacturability; develop operating procedures and training materials; support technician qualification and production readiness reviews; establish maintenance/sustainment requirements.
Technical Documentation: support Technical Data Packages (TDPs); maintain configuration-controlled equipment specs, control narratives, robotics programming docs, and operating/maintenance/acceptance-test procedures.
Safety & Compliance: ensure robotic/automated systems comply with safety requirements; support machine safety assessments and hazard analyses; coordinate machine guarding, LOTO, and safety interlocks; promote a strong safety culture.
Leadership: direct assigned technicians supporting AIME/LAP implementation; coordinate matrixed support across Automation & Digital Systems, Production, Operations, Safety & Compliance, QA, and vendors; support enterprise automation standards and serve as a technical resource to other CMG programs.
Success Measures (12–18 Months)
Successfully integrated automated manufacturing and robotics systems into the AIME/LAP production environment.
Established standardized automation architectures replicable across future CMG facilities.
Implemented robust manufacturing data collection and reporting capabilities.
Developed complete automation-related Technical Data Packages and operating procedures.
Successfully commissioned and validated automated production systems.
Enabled safe, repeatable, and scalable manufacturing operations, serving as a force multiplier across CMG's broader manufacturing portfolio.
Qualifications
Required
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, Robotics, Manufacturing, or Chemical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
Minimum 3 years of experience in industrial automation, robotics, manufacturing systems integration, or advanced manufacturing.
Experience implementing automated production systems in industrial environments.
Experience leading multidisciplinary technical projects.
Experience supporting equipment installation, startup, and commissioning activities.
Experience working directly with robotics vendors, automation suppliers, and system integrators.
Technical skills: industrial robotics; automated manufacturing systems; machine vision systems; PLC and HMI integration; industrial networking; production systems engineering; manufacturing automation; factory commissioning and startup.
Preferred
Experience supporting energetics, munitions, aerospace, defense, pharmaceutical, chemical, or highly regulated manufacturing operations.
Experience implementing automated quality inspection systems.
Experience with digital manufacturing and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).
Experience with autonomous material handling systems.
Familiarity with process safety and hazardous manufacturing environments.
Experience supporting government-funded manufacturing modernization programs.
Active Secret Clearance or ability to obtain one.
Working Conditions & Physical Demands
Based primarily on-site at CMG's manufacturing campus, with travel to vendor, equipment, and system integrator sites as required to support design, integration, commissioning, and startup activities.
Clearance & Compensation
Clearance: Not required at hire; Active Secret Clearance or ability to obtain one is preferred.
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.
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