Engineering Manager (Design)

As Chemring Energetic Devices (CED) celebrates 50 years of building products that protect our country, protect the individual warfighter, and send rockets into outer space, our growth is creating new opportunities to expand our team with talented individuals who want to shape the next era of mission-critical innovation. CED is well situated in Downers Grove, Illinois — a commuter train ride west of Chicago and a short drive from farmland.

About the role

The Engineering Manager is a department leader who holds responsibility for execution of New Product Development and Production activities on-time and within budget. Ensures all engineering projects, initiatives, and processes are in conformance with CED’s established policies and procedures. Collaboratively works cross-functionally with departments across the organization to advance CED’s engineering and R&D capabilities. This position directly supports the growth and technical development of less experienced Engineers.

Responsibilities

• Direct New Product Development (NPD) efforts within established CED processes ensuring cost and schedule targets are achieved
• Lead product improvement/redesign teams to overcome product performance issues and drive toward innovative and improved designs
• Support legacy production jobs maintaining up-to-date Technical Data Packages (TDP) guaranteeing products are readily producible
• Lead efforts to determine feasibility, risk and effort associated with product development
• Provides technical assistance to other functions within the organization as requested
• Provide expert judgment and analysis for the design, development and implementation of technical products and systems
• Interface with Business Development and Manufacturing to ensure that support is forthcoming for ongoing proposal activities
• Provide leadership to junior engineers and develop growth opportunities and channels
• Support internal recurring status meetings with manufacturing
• Define engineering development strategies in support of project and product goals and requirements
• Lead the mechanical engineering staff and other IPDT team members regarding technical evaluations and programmatic and design tradeoff decisions
• Support and/or coordinate design reviews for the functional group and any project for which the Pyrophoric Mechanisms group plays a key role
• Direct Pyrophoric Mechanisms staff in the definition and development of verification and validation test plans
• Define and track key product metrics with the intent of identifying product and process improvements
• Comply with government and corporate laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Ensure 100% compliance with the Chemring Operational Framework, Code of Conduct and U.S. Code of Ethics and Business Conduct
• Provides direct supervision to a variety of junior / entry level exempt employees

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, or chemistry
• Advanced degree in a related discipline is a plus
• Minimum of 5 years of related Aerospace/Military/Ordnance industry experience
• Demonstrated experience advising and guiding junior engineering staff
• Experience in leading the long-term and complex management of engineering programs and projects
• Experience with prime defense contractor specifications and/or military regulations
• Lawful US Person (ITAR restrictions)
• Must be eligible to possess explosives under the Safe Explosives Act of 2003 (as amended) as required by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms (ATF) for all employees of Chemring Energetic Devices

Skills

• Strong team player and willingness to create solutions and accept ownership for new and different requests
• Ability to represent the Company positively and professionally through behavior, attitude and communication
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both internal and external to the organization
• Discerning attention to financial, risk and resource management / deployment
• Must be comfortable with multiple competing demands and is able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events in a calm and logical manner
• Familiarity with AS-9100 Standards and CED’s Quality Management System

Physical and Other Requirements

• Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving objects, weighing up to 20 pounds occasionally and/or a negligible amount of weight frequently
• Involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time
• Use of computer for extended periods of time

Pay

CED's current salary range for this role is $149,200 to $174,000 / year. At CED, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions may vary based upon, but not limited to education, skills, experience, proficiency, performance, shift, location and geography. In addition to base salary, the total compensation package may also include participation in a bonus, commission or incentive program.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid time off
• Disability insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Life insurance and other voluntary supplemental insurance coverages
• Parental leave
• Adoption assistance
• Tuition assistance
• Employer/partner discounts

Schedule

CED follows a 9/80 work schedule allowing employees to enjoy alternating Fridays off.