Quality Engineer

Estes Energetics, along with its subsidiary Goex Industries, is an American manufacturer of black powder, chemicals, and rocket motors. Our agile and experienced team is proud to make products that support the Department of Defense, strengthen domestic production, preserve history, and serve hunting and shooting sports enthusiasts. Whether we’re performing research into energetic materials and products, or standing up American-made production, count on us to find a solution.

Estes Energeticsisseekinga Quality  Engineer responsible for ensuring product and process quality within an energetics manufacturing environment, including explosives, propellants, pyrotechnics, or related energetic materials. This role supports compliance with regulatory, customer, and internal quality requirements while driving continuous improvement across manufacturing and inspection processes. The position requires strong technical rigor, documentation discipline, and a high level of safety awareness. This position is critical to ensuring the safety, reliability, and compliance of products manufactured in an energetics environment and offers the opportunity to contribute to mission-critical programs.

• Develop, implement, and maintain quality systems in compliance with ISO 9001/AS9100, customer specifications, and applicable regulatory requirements (e.g., ATF, DoD, OSHA).
• Support manufacturing operations by ensuring process controls, inspection plans, and acceptance criteria are defined and followed.
• Conduct root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA) for nonconformances, defects, and customer complaints.
• Review and approve manufacturing procedures, inspection instructions, and quality records related to energetics production.
• Perform internal audits and support external audits (customer, regulatory, and certification).
• Analyze quality data and metrics to identify trends and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, EHS, and Supply Chain to ensure quality requirements are integrated throughout the product lifecycle.
• Support supplier quality activities, including supplier qualification, audits, and corrective actions.
• Participate in failure investigations, material review boards (MRB), and risk assessments (e.g., FMEA).
• Ensure strict adherence to safety, security, and handling requirements for energetic materials.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or related discipline).
• 3–7 years of quality engineering experience in a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of quality management systems, inspection methods, and statistical techniques.
• Experience with root cause analysis tools (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone, SPC).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in high-hazard, safety-critical manufacturing environments.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain State and Federal explosives licenses including:
• Be 21 years of age or older.
• Pass pre-employment drug test.
• Pass State and Federal background checks
• Experience in energetics, explosives, aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability manufacturing industries.
• ASQ certifications such as:
• Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
• Certified Quality Auditor (CQA)
• Certified Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
• Familiarity with AS9100, ISO 9001, or DoD quality requirements.
• Experience with configuration management and controlled documentation systems.
• Knowledge of government contract requirements and customer quality clauses.

The work will primarily be in an office and manufacturing environment, including outdoors.

• Ability to work in manufacturing areas requiring PPE.
• Must be able to comply with all safety, security, and explosive-handling requirements.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs occasionally and perform inspections in production environments.

Travel may be expected between Penrose and Pueblo locations.

This is a full-time position working a 9/80 schedule. Occasional overtime may be required during busy periods.

Estes Energetics maintains a…