Manufacturing Specialist (Solid Rocket Motor Production)

Castelion is looking for a Manufacturing Specialist to support the development of the solid rocket motor systems required for the design and build of long-range hypersonic strike vehicles. This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Midland, TX facility. As a Manufacturing Specialist, you will work closely with our engineering teams to execute highly technical solid rocket motor builds for our research vehicles, assist in advancing designs, and play a critical role in defining and maturing manufacturing, assembly and integration processes.

Key Outcomes for 2026

• Scaled R&D Product Refinement – Develop and refine site capabilities allowing engineering staff to develop products and processes while balancing flexibility, throughput, and quality.
• Agile & Responsive Site Support – Engage with engineering staff supporting R&D test operations, rapidly responding to changing requirements and technical challenges.
• Exemplary Site Safety Culture – Maintaining operational throughput at rapid pace with safety engagement at the forefront

Responsibilities

• Work with highly volatile energetic precursor chemicals used in solid rocket motor manufacturing
• Carefully batch and mix precursor chemicals
• Create and record testing and quality control measurements to ensure production quality
• Collaborate closely with engineering to transform concepts into reality
• Monitor one's own work progress against established standards and deliver all work on schedule
• Examine, interpret, and use drawings and regulated documentation and procedures
• Understand and execute complex engineering diagrams and assembly instructions
• Verify flight hardware and thoroughly document outcomes
• Aid in developing manufacturing processes for initial production runs
• Contribute to projects aimed at increasing operational efficiency in the area

Basic Qualifications

• 3+ years of aerospace manufacturing experience
• Experience building complex highly energetic aerospace components
• Reading drawings and blueprints
• Proficient with manufacturing metrology and quality assurance tools and processes
• Demonstrated direct or indirect leadership Ability to work in a remote environment with limited support

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience in a research and development environment
• Previous involvement in a high-speed production environment, handling flight hardware
• Prior involvement in a high-output environment, involving hands-on experience in constructing solid rocket motors
• Ability to acclimate to frequently changing assignments and a fast-paced working environment
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, along with effective teamwork abilities
• Superb focus and attention to detail, with remarkable work efficiency and accuracy
• Use of hand tools and power tools
• Expertise in manufacturing and repairing intricate testing systems
• Familiarity with Atlassian tools such as SVN, Confluence, and JIRA
• Skills in project management

Additional Requirements

• Must be willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed
• Must be able to travel up to 30%

Leadership Qualities

• Bias to Action and Creative Problem Solving. Desire and experience questioning assumptions in ways that lead to break through ideas that are ultimately implemented. Successfully bring in applicable processes/concepts/materials from other industries to achieve efficiency gains. Ability to personally resolve minor issues in development without requiring significant support.
• High Commitment, High Initiative. A successful candidate will have a genuine passion for Castelion's mission and consistently look for ways to contribute to the company's technical goals and prevent hardware blockers. Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere. Strong sense of accountability and integrity.
• Clear Communicator. Proactively communicates blockers. Trusted in previous roles to be voice of company with regulators, suppliers, gate keepers and customers. Capable of tactfully managing relationships with stakeholders to achieve company-desired outcomes without compromising relationships. Emails, IMs and verbal interactions are logical, drive clarity, and detailed enough to eliminate ambiguity.