Principal Chemical Engineer

General Dynamics - Ordnance and Tactical Systems (AR,ME,NE,OH,VT); Hampton (AR); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (OTS) seeks a Principal Chemical Engineer to join the Solid Rocket Motor team in Camden, AR. The role leads facility checkouts, validations, and integration (mixers, robots, x‑ray) and trains others to use the systems.

You will head the manufacturing engineering team for SOP generation and rollout, performing engineering work on chemical plant equipment and processes.

Qualifications

• Associate degree and 8–10 years of engineering experience.
• Engineering degree required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Designs process flows and equipment layouts for chemical operations.
• Plans sequence of operations and procedures for materials and equipment.
• Balances process design cost, yield, safety, and waste considerations.
• Conducts tests to control variables and troubleshoot problems.
• May influence others through explanation of policies and practices.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Education

Associate's Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

Principal Chemical Engineer

Job Locations: US-AR-Hampton

Requisition ID: 2026-36880

Position Type: Full Time

Position Classification: On-Site

Job Function: Engineering

Company Overview

General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (OTS) is a global leader in the design, engineering and production of munitions, energetics, weapons, armaments, and missile subsystems around the world. OTS empowers the U.S. military and its allies with an extensive range of overarching product segments applied across all levels of strategic and tactical operations, providing a cutting-edge advantage to our warfighters.

Our Ethos of Honesty, Trust, Transparency, and Alignment, are the guiding principles that form the foundation of everything we do. Integrity is paramount, innovation fuels our passion, customer satisfaction is at the core of our mission, and collaboration is key to our success - fostering a culture of teamwork and mutual respect among employees, partners, and stakeholders.

Whether you're just starting out on your career journey or are an experienced professional, we offer a robust total rewards package that goes above and beyond with compensation; healthcare, wellness, retirement, and work/life benefits that include career development and recognition programs.

If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we invite you to join our high-performance team!

Job Summary

We are seeking a Principal Chemical Engineer to join our growing Solid Rocket Motor team in Camden, AR. The Prin Chemical Engineer will lead facility checkouts, validations, and integration (mixers, robots, x-ray). This person should be able to learn all associated systems and train others to use them as well. Expected to lead the manufacturing engineering team for SOP generation and rollout. Performs engineering work related to the operation of chemical plant equipment and processes | Coordinates maintenance and operation of chemical production equipment such as mixing, crushing, heat transfer, distillation, oxidation, hydrogenation and polymerization | Solid Rocket Motor experience is required.

Impact of the Role

General Profile

• Requires specialized depth and/or breadth of expertise in own job discipline or field
• Uses advanced techniques, theories, and processes to complete work
• Leads others to solve complex problems
• Works independently, with guidance in only the most complex situations
• May lead functional teams or projects
• Consistent exercise of discretion & judgment

Essential Functions

• Designs process flows and equipment layout for new or revised chemical process operations including: Designing equipment and processes that change the chemical properties of materials and ingredients (e.g., heating/cooling, oxidation, fermentation, hydrogenation, polymerization, etc.).
• Planning sequence of operations and specifying procedures for preparing materials and operating equipment.
• Determining process design by balancing process cost, yield, worker safety/comfort, and material waste considerations.
• Conducting tests throughout all stages of processing to determine control over applicable variables (e.g., temperature, pressure, density, viscosity, etc.) and troubleshoot/solve process problems.
• May influence others within the job area through explanation of facts, policies and practices.

Required Qualifications

• Required education and experience: Associate's Degree and 8-10 years' experience
• Discipline/Major: Engineering degree required
• Critical professional related technical skills; computer skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred education and experience: Bachelor’s Degree
• Knowledge, skills & abilities: Chemical engineering. Manufacturing process engineering. Product development. Prototyping. Research and development. Industry standards. Scientific testing. Oral and written communication. Critical thinking. Analytical thinking.

Physical Requirements

• Requires regular movement throughout GD-OTS facilities.
• Must be able to lift up to 45 pounds.
• May need to stand for long periods of time.
• Work primarily in a climate-controlled environment with minimal safety/health hazard potential.
• This position is Safety-Sensitive.

Travel Requirements

Up to 25% travel likely.

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The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. The statements do not represent an exhaustive list of required responsibilities and skills. Other duties may be added or this job description may be amended at any time. This job description does not alter an employee's at-will employment status or create an employment agreement or contract, implied or otherwise.