QA/QC Chemist, Explosives Manufacturing

About the role

Critical Materials Group (CMG) is building advanced domestic energetic materials manufacturing capability, including continuous-flow RDX and HMX production and LAP. The QA/QC Chemist, Explosives Manufacturing is the chemistry authority on the production floor and a first chemistry voice on CMG’s new RDX, HMX, and LAP facilities. This role performs in-process and finished-product chemical analysis to verify that explosives conform to approved specifications, customer requirements, and regulatory standards. Beyond routine testing, the chemist troubleshoots mixing and processing issues, works with contractors and subject-matter experts on process development, provides chemistry input on equipment layout and process design for new facilities, and supports environmental compliance. This role requires the ability to work safely and methodically with energetic and reactive materials in a highly regulated manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Collect and prepare representative in-process and finished-product samples following established sampling protocols.
• Perform quantitative and qualitative analysis to confirm chemical composition, concentration, and conformance to specification, using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, density, moisture content, particle size, viscosity, and thermal characterization.
• Compare results against specification limits, release conforming product, and quarantine or hold non-conforming material.
• Generate Certificates of Analysis (COA) and maintain accurate, audit-ready batch and test records.
• Operate, calibrate, and maintain laboratory instrumentation; ensure measurement traceability and instrument qualification.
• Investigate out-of-specification results and process deviations using structured root-cause analysis.
• Work with Production to diagnose mixing and processing issues, such as composition variance, blend uniformity, product stability, moisture or temperature effects, and raw-material variability.
• Recommend and help verify corrective and preventive actions (CAPA); support reprocessing or disposition decisions.
• Support method development, validation, and transfer for new or revised products and processes.
• Work with contractors and subject-matter experts to develop RDX, HMX, and LAP processes and future CMG facilities.
• Provide chemistry and materials-compatibility input on new equipment selection, equipment layout, and process flow for safe, efficient, and compliant production.
• Review proposed process changes (Management of Change) for impact on product quality, material compatibility, and analytical capability.
• Support commissioning, qualification, and startup of new processing and laboratory equipment.
• Support waste characterization, sampling, and monitoring programs, and assist with environmental reporting.
• Provide analytical data and technical input for permitting, recordkeeping, and compliance with applicable air, water, and waste regulations.
• Help ensure laboratory and production practices align with the facility’s quality system and regulatory obligations.
• Maintain laboratory documentation in accordance with the quality management system (e.g., ISO 9001; ISO/IEC 17025 where applicable).
• Participate in internal and external audits, specification reviews, and continuous-improvement initiatives.
• Strictly follow all site safety procedures for handling energetic and hazardous materials, including Process Safety Management practices, lockout/tagout, and required PPE.
• Promptly report hazards, near-misses, and incidents.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related physical science.
• Minimum 3–5 years of analytical or QC laboratory experience, preferably in explosives, propellants, energetic materials, or another regulated chemical-manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on proficiency with standard analytical techniques (e.g., HPLC/GC, ion chromatography, FTIR/UV-Vis, titrimetry, Karl Fischer moisture, thermal analysis such as DSC/TGA, density and particle-size measurement).
• Working knowledge of quality systems, statistical process control, and root-cause/CAPA methodology.
• Familiarity with the regulatory framework governing explosives manufacturing and handling (e.g., ATF, DOT, OSHA PSM, EPA environmental regulations, and applicable NFPA standards).
• Demonstrated commitment to safety and the discipline to follow detailed procedures precisely.
• Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Direct QA/QC experience with commercial or defense explosives, propellants, or other energetic formulations.
• Experience supporting facility or process design, equipment