Chief Technician - Solid Rocket Motors

EDGE; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 480,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

EDGE, based in Abu Dhabi, seeks an experienced Chief Technician – Solid Rocket Motors to lead the fabrication and assembly of critical SRM hardware for defence and aerospace programs.

You will supervise machinists, manage CNC operations, and ensure quality through GD&T, CMM inspection, and DFMA input. This hands-on leadership role requires deep experience with flight-critical hardware and AS9100/FAI standards.

Qualifications

• Diploma or technical degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing technology, or related field.
• 10–15 years in precision metal parts manufacturing in aerospace, defence, or high‑performance engineering environments.
• Minimum 5 years in a senior machinist, manufacturing lead, or workshop supervision role.
• Extensive experience operating and programming CNC lathes and machining centres.
• Strong proficiency interpreting engineering drawings and Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Hands‑on experience with CMM inspection, precision measurement, and dimensional verification. Experience manufacturing pressure‑containing or flight‑critical hardware.
• Knowledge of AS9100 or equivalent aerospace quality standards and First Article Inspection (FAI/FAIR) requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the fabrication and machining of SRM hardware including motor cases, bulkheads, closures, nozzle components, and igniter bodies.
• Manage CNC turning, milling, drilling, and precision machining operations to manufacture components in accordance with engineering drawings and GD&T requirements.
• Supervise and mentor a team of machinists and manufacturing technicians, ensuring safe and efficient workshop operations.
• Own prototype and development hardware manufacturing schedules, ensuring timely delivery of critical components.
• Conduct and oversee dimensional inspections using CMMs, micrometres, bore gauges, and other precision metrology equipment.
• Review engineering designs and provide DFMA feedback on tolerances, materials, surface treatments, and assembly methods.
• Develop machining processes, tooling concepts, fixtures, setup sheets, and work instructions to support repeatable manufacturing.
• Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions for manufacturing non‑conformances.
• Manage external machining and fabrication suppliers, reviewing capability, quality, and delivered hardware acceptance.
• Coordinate material procurement activities and verify material certifications and traceability requirements.
• Support mechanical assembly and integration of propulsion hardware and metallic subassemblies.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, productivity, cost reduction, and workshop efficiency.

Skills

GD&T

Leadership

CMM inspection

Blueprint reading

Team supervision

Education

Diploma in Mechanical Engineering

Technical Degree in Manufacturing

Tools

CNC lathe

CNC milling

Mastercam

Fusion 360

CMM

Job description

Job Description:

About Edge

At EDGE bold ideas are engineered into technologies that protect, improve and save lives.

Headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, EDGE is a leading advanced technology group working at the forefront of defence and emerging technologies. Spanning more than 35 specialised companies and multiple centres of excellence, we are purpose-built to move fast. Free from heavy legacy processes, we give our people the autonomy, accountability, and agility to bring breakthrough technologies from concept to reality.

Based in Abu Dhabi, a globally connected hub at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, EDGE is home to a truly multicultural community where bold ideas thrive, and the future is shaped.

Together, we are shaping the future.

About The Role

Join the Team Building the Next Generation of Rocket Propulsion Systems

HALCON is seeking an experienced Chief Technician – Solid Rocket Motors to lead the manufacturing and assembly of critical rocket motor hardware supporting advanced defence and aerospace programmes.

This is a hands-on technical leadership role responsible for machining, fabrication, inspection, and assembly of metallic solid rocket motor (SRM) components. You will serve as the senior manufacturing authority within the workshop, ensuring all hardware is produced to the highest standards of quality, precision, traceability, and safety.

Working closely with propulsion, mechanical, quality and manufacturing engineers, you will bridge engineering design intent with world-class production execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead the fabrication and machining of SRM hardware including motor cases, bulkheads, closures, nozzle components, and igniter bodies.
• Manage CNC turning, milling, drilling, and precision machining operations to manufacture components in accordance with engineering drawings and GD&T requirements.
• Supervise and mentor a team of machinists and manufacturing technicians, ensuring safe and efficient workshop operations.
• Own prototype and development hardware manufacturing schedules, ensuring timely delivery of critical components.
• Conduct and oversee dimensional inspections using CMMs, micrometres, bore gauges, and other precision metrology equipment.
• Review engineering designs and provide Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) feedback on tolerances, materials, surface treatments, and assembly methods.
• Develop machining processes, tooling concepts, fixtures, setup sheets, and work instructions to support repeatable manufacturing.
• Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions for manufacturing non-conformances.
• Manage external machining and fabrication suppliers, reviewing capability, quality, and delivered hardware acceptance.
• Coordinate material procurement activities and verify material certifications and traceability requirements.
• Support mechanical assembly and integration of propulsion hardware and metallic subassemblies.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, productivity, cost reduction, and workshop efficiency.

Basic Qualifications

Education

• Diploma or Technical Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Technology, Precision Engineering, or a related discipline.

Experience

• Minimum 10-15 years of experience in precision metal parts manufacturing within aerospace, defence, or high-performance engineering environments.
• Minimum 5 years in a senior machinist, manufacturing lead, or workshop supervision role.
• Extensive experience operating and programming CNC lathes and machining centres.
• Strong proficiency interpreting engineering drawings and Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Hands‑on experience with CMM inspection, precision measurement, and dimensional verification.Experience manufacturing pressure‑containing or flight‑critical hardware.
• Knowledge of AS9100 or equivalent aerospace quality standards and First Article Inspection (FAI/FAIR) requirements.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing workshop personnel and production activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience manufacturing rocket motor hardware, nozzle assemblies, pressure vessels, or propulsion components.
• Experience machining aerospace alloys including D6AC, 4340 steel, titanium alloys, and Inconel.Knowledge of leak testing, structural assembly, and torque/preload requirements.
• Certifications in CMM operation, CAM software (Mastercam, Fusion 360), NDT (PT/MT), or aerospace welding and joining processes.

WHY CHOOSE EDGE

Launched in November 2019, the UAE's EDGE is one of the world's leading advanced technology groups, established to develop agile, bold and disruptive solutions for defence and beyond, and to be a catalyst for change and transformation. It is dedicated to bringing breakthrough innovations, products, and services to market with greater speed and efficiency, to position the UAE as a leading global hub for future industries, and to creating clear paths within the sector for the next generation of highly skilled talent to thrive.

At EDGE, the real investment goes beyond compensation. Through our dedicated learning academy and digital learning platforms, employees have access to extensive opportunities to develop new skills, deepen their expertise, and advance their careers. Combined with the freedom to innovate, strong career support, and the opportunity to collaborate with world‑class talent from across the globe, EDGE is a place where you can continue to grow, keep learning, and turn ambitious ideas into meaningful outcomes.

Working at EDGE also comes with a package that genuinely reflects how much we value our people. Salaries are highly competitive and tax‑free and, depending on your role and seniority, benefits can include family visas, annual flight tickets, medical insurance for you and your dependents, and education allowances for your children.

CANDIDATE PRIVACY & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

If you feel your skills, experience and potential are a strong match for a role, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every requirement. We are genuinely interested in what you can bring to EDGE.

Any information you share as part of your EDGE candidate profile or job application will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection and privacy regulations.

EDGE is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and high‑performing workforce. We believe every individual deserves to be treated with fairness, respect and dignity, and our employment decisions reflect that. We do not discriminate based on race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

As a global organisation, effective collaboration across international teams is central to how we work, so English proficiency is required for all roles unless otherwise stated in the job posting.

Please note that EDGE does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies. Any resumes in the absence of a formally executed agreement in place will be deemed the property of EDGE, and no placement fees or compensation will be payable in respect of such submissions.