Engineering Manager (Design)

Socket.dev; Downers Grove (IL); On-site; USD 149,200 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

401(k) with company match

Life insurance

Parental leave

Tuition assistance

Employee discounts

9/80 schedule

Job summary

Chemring Energetic Devices (CED) is seeking an Engineering Manager in Downers Grove, IL, to lead New Product Development and Production activities, ensuring on-time, on-budget execution. You will collaborate across departments, guide junior engineers, and help advance CED’s engineering and R&D capabilities.

Requirements include a Bachelor's in engineering, physics, or chemistry, with 5+ years in Aerospace/Military/Ordnance, and familiarity with AS-9100.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or chemistry required or equivalent.
• Advanced degree in a related field is a plus.
• Experience with government/defense programs and ITAR compliance.
• Experience advising and guiding junior engineering staff.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Direct New Product Development (NPD) within established processes to meet cost and schedule targets.
• Lead product improvement/redesign teams to address performance issues.
• Maintain/up-to-date Technical Data Packages (TDP) for legacy production.
• Assess feasibility, risk, and effort for development initiatives.
• Provide technical assistance across functions when requested.
• Apply expert judgment in design, development, and implementation of products and systems.
• Coordinate with Business Development and Manufacturing to support proposals.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers and identify growth opportunities.
• Lead internal status meetings with manufacturing and project teams.
• Define engineering development strategies aligned with project goals.
• Guide Pyrophoric Mechanisms staff on design and tradeoff decisions.
• Oversee verification and validation test plans for critical programs.
• Track key product metrics to identify areas for improvement.

Skills

New Product Development

Product redesign leadership

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Mentoring junior engineers

Project management

AS-9100 familiarity

Explosives eligibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or chemistry

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Description

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 - we are located a commuter train ride west of Chicago and a short drive from farmland.

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. CED’s benefit offerings include medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, disability insurance, 401(k) with company match, life insurance and other voluntary supplemental insurance coverages, plus parental leave, adoption assistance, tuition assistance and employer/partner discounts. CED follows a 9/80 work schedule allowing employees to enjoy alternating Fridays off.

JOB SUMMARY:

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.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• 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

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

• 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
• Special projects and additional duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• Provides direct supervision to a variety of junior / entry level exempt employees

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, or chemistry
• Advanced degree in a related discipline is a plus

EXPERIENCE:

• 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

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• 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 and Firearms (ATF) for all employees of Chemring Energetic Devices
• 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.

DISCLAIMER

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential job functions of this position. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Employees will be expected to perform other job functions and duties as may be needed and/or required.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Chemring Energetic Devices (CED) is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics.

The “Know Your Rights” Poster is available here: EEOC Know Your Rights

CED’s EEO Policy Statement is available here: CED EEO Policy Statement

CED is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e‑mail to [e-mail] or call [phone]and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.