Machining & Fabrication Manager

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, serve hunting and shooting sports enthusiasts, and ignite a passion for rocketry in our youth. Whether we’re performing research into energetic materials and products, or standing up American-made production, count on us to find a solution.

Estes Energetics is strengthening the defense industrial base by revitalizing the manufacturing of solid rocket motors. In support of this work, we are searching for a Manufacturing Machining & Fabrication Manager, with a focus on Energetics Manufacturing at our facility in Pueblo, CO. The Machining & Fabrication Manager responsible for leading and optimizing production processes within an energetics manufacturing environment, ensuring compliance with strict safety, quality, and regulatory standards.

This position plays a key role in developing process improvements, supporting product scale‑up, cost reduction, continuous improvement, and maintaining robust documentation for manufacturing operations compliant with DoD, ATF, OSHA, and ISO 9001:2015 requirements.

• Design, develop, and implement manufacturing systems, processes, and tooling for solid rocket motors and energetic materials.
• Work with a cross‑functional team to design new manufacturing processes and methodologies to support future production efforts or continuous improvement programs.
• Validate and continuously improve manufacturing processes for energetics and explosive components.
• Define preventive and predictive maintenance programs for production and support equipment to minimize downtime and extend asset life.
• Collaborate with maintenance and engineering teams to implement monitoring systems and equipment trend data for supporting predictive maintenance strategies.
• Ensure all maintenance and calibration requirements comply with safety and regulatory obligations for explosive processing.
• Support capital improvement projects and equipment upgrades from specification through commissioning.
• Perform both conceptual tasks and hands‑on tasks such as machine and system design and assembly, fabrication, and machining.
• Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions related to process deviations, equipment failures, and yield losses.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation such as SOPs, work instructions, and maintenance schedules.
• Provide technical training to operators, mechanics, and junior engineers on standardized maintenance and operational practices.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to implement Lean, 5S, and Six Sigma concepts for process reliability and efficiency.
• Support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), safety audits, and engineering change control reviews.
• Participate in audits, safety reviews, and technical transfer meetings between R&D and production.

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or 8 years related experience.
• 7+ years of manufacturing experience, with at least 5 years in supervisory roles.
• Strong understanding of hazardous materials handling, safety management systems, and regulatory compliance (ATF, DOT, OSHA ).
• Hands‑on experience with process scale‑up.
• Ability to be a self‑starter and solve complex problems from first principles with minimal supervision, both independently and as a member of a team.
• Demonstrated project management and leadership experience, including cross‑functional collaboration.
• Proficiency with ERP and manufacturing documentation systems.
• Ability to obtain and maintain necessary security clearances or explosive handler permits.
• Eagerness to learn new ideas and put them into practice.
• Experience with automated manufacturing systems.
• Hands on skills such as machining, prototype fabrication, carpentry, electronics, etc.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain…