Engineering Manager at Estes Energetics – Pueblo, Colorado

Voyager is an innovative defense, national security and space technology company committed to advancing and delivering transformative, mission-critical solutions. We tackle the most complex challenges to unlock new frontiers for human progress, fortify national security, and protect critical assets to lead in the race for technological and operational superiority from ground to space.

Forge the Future: Join Voyager Technologies

The future belongs to those who build it. At Voyager Technologies, we’re building technologies that protect lives, expand frontiers and prepare us for what’s next. And we’re doing that with people who are wired to solve, build, adapt and lead. These roles are not for the faint of heart. 

You’ll help lay the foundation for humanity's future. Join a culture where innovation thrives, curiosity is rewarded, and impact is real. We’re a company of doers, thinkers and builders, united by purpose and grounded in reality.

If you want to put your skills to work where the stakes are real and the mission is bigger than any one person, forge the future with Voyager.

Job Summary:

Voyager Technologies is seeking an Engineering Manager to lead our Solid Propulsion and Energetics engineering team supporting our Colorado operations. This role requires deep technical expertise in solid rocket motors and/or energetic materials, combined with demonstrated leadership and team development experience. The Engineering Manager will provide strategic and hands-on technical direction across propulsion design, propellant processing, manufacturing support, and test activities, while mentoring engineers and fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and technical excellence in a defense-focused environment. This position will directly support our Colorado operations focused in R&D and new product development projects.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and mentor multi-disciplinary engineering teams responsible for solid rocket motor design, propellant formulation, component fabrication, and qualification testing.
• Provide technical leadership and execution oversight across the solid propulsion system lifecycle, from concept through production and qualification.
• Drive engineering strategy, planning, and resource allocation to meet performance, cost, schedule, and quality objectives in support of defense programs.
• Oversee development, review, and approval of engineering deliverables including requirements, analysis, models, test plans, design documentation, and risk assessments.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (manufacturing, quality, safety, supply chain, operations) to ensure design producibility, test readiness, and successful delivery.
• Implement and maintain engineering processes, best practices, and continuous improvement initiatives that promote technical excellence and compliance with internal and government standards.
• Lead troubleshooting, fault investigation, corrective action implementation, and design optimization for propulsion systems and energetics issues.
• Represent the engineering organization internally and externally, advocating technical positions and contributing to program status reviews.
• Support talent development through coaching, performance feedback, and identification of professional growth opportunities for engineering staff.
• Ensure compliance with safety, export control, and regulatory requirements associated with energetic materials and propulsion system development.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Mechanical, Chemical, Materials, or related discipline).
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive engineering experience, including solid rocket propulsion systems, propellant formulation, energetic materials, or related aerospace domains.
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams, managing technical execution, and delivering complex engineering projects on schedule and within budget.
• Strong technical foundation in solid rocket motor system design, analysis, testing, and propulsion integration.
• Experience with mechanical design practices, structural/thermal analysis, and propulsion performance evaluation.
• Background in propellant chemistry, mixing, cure processes, and ballistic characterization.
• Track record of applying engineering judgment to solve complex technical problems and implement productive solutions.
• Ability to communicate effectively across engineering, operations, program management, and leadership audiences.
• Knowledge of engineering processes related to configuration management, risk management, and product lifecycle oversight.
• U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance (as required).
• Eligible to obtain and maintain State and Federal explosives licenses, including:
• • Be 21 years of age or older.
  • Pass pre-employment drug test.
  • Pass State and Federal background checks.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing engineering efforts in a regulated defense or aerospace manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience with solid rocket motor hardware, energetic materials safety protocols, and test facilities.
• Experience with supplier management, contracting engineering support, and external technical partnerships.
• Familiarity with propulsion industry standards and qualification frameworks relevant to defense applications.
• Demonstrated success building and implementing engineering processes that scale with organizational growth.
• Prior experience in design reviews, technical interchange meetings, and cross-organizational coordination.
• Demonstrated leadership through mentorship, team development, and talent pipeline building.

Voyager offers a comprehensive, total compensation package, which includes competitive salary, a discretionary annual bonus plan, paid time off (PTO), a comprehensive health benefit package, retirement savings, wellness program, and various other benefits. When you join our team, you’re not just an employee; you become part of a dynamic community dedicated to innovation and excellence.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Voyager is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. 

Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran

The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general content and requirements for performance of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work within the framework of this job description at any time without prior notice.