
Manager, Automation and Controls Engineering
Required skills
- automation
- controls engineering
- solid rocket motors
- aerospace
- defense
- manufacturing systems
- industrial controls
- process equipment
- robotic cells
- motion control
Nice to have
- Master’s degree
- space manufacturing environments
- scaling automation
- high-rate production
- prior people leadership
- ITAR
Role summary
Castelion is seeking a Manager of Automation and Controls Engineering to lead the design, deployment, and sustainment of automated manufacturing systems for solid rocket motor and hypersonic hardware production. This role involves owning the automation and controls engineering function, supporting various production processes and integrating data across operations. The manager will build and lead a team of engineers, establish automation standards, and partner with cross-functional teams. Key responsibilities include overseeing system design, commissioning, vendor management, and ensuring safety compliance. A Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field and 8+ years of experience are required, with 3+ years in a leadership capacity. Experience with industrial automation platforms, PLC programming, and functional safety is essential.
Why Castelion, Why Now
Castelion is moving incredibly fast to develop and deliver advanced defense systems at a time when execution matters more than ever. We believe focus, ownership, and excellence are decisive advantages - and we're building a world-class team to turn bold ideas into real capability.
This is a rare opportunity to join at an early stage, where you'll have significant ownership, collaborate with exceptional teammates, and make a direct, measurable impact on our mission and the future of the company - regardless of your function.
Manager, Automation and Controls Engineering
Solid Rocket Motors – Aerospace & Defense
Position Overview
We are seeking a Manager of Automation and Controls Engineering to lead the design, deployment, and sustainment of automated manufacturing systems and industrial controls for Castelion’s solid rocket motor and hypersonic hardware production. This role owns the automation and controls engineering function supporting process equipment, robotic cells, motion control, safety systems, and data integration across propellant-adjacent operations, case fabrication, liner application, nozzle assembly, bonding, forming, and final motor integration. You will build and lead a team of automation and controls engineers who deliver safe, reliable, high-throughput systems that enable rapid iteration and high-rate production for programs including Blackbeard. You will partner closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Tooling, Quality, Design, and Site Operations while serving as the technical authority for controls architecture and automation standards across development and production sites.
Key Responsibilities
Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, or related field required. Master’s degree preferred.
Experience:
Technical Skills
Preferred Experience
Soft Skills
Castelion offers a generous benefits package. Please refer to the bottom of our Careers page for more details.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Additional Eligibility Requirements
This position may require access to classified information or restricted U.S. Government sites, systems, or information, as determined by the Company and/or applicable U.S. Government requirements. If the position is so designated, your employment in the role may be contingent upon your ability to obtain and maintain the required U.S. Government security clearance or other government authorization, and to satisfy any citizenship or other eligibility requirements imposed by applicable law, regulation, executive order, or government contract requirements. You will be notified if and when such requirements apply.
Affirmative Action/EEO Statement
Castelion is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Castelion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, participate in the interview process, or otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact hr@castelion.com. Requests for accommodation will be considered on an individual basis and handled in accordance with applicable law.
Castelion is committed to fostering a workplace where employment decisions are based on qualifications, business needs, and the ability to perform the essential functions of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation.
EAR/ITAR Requirements
This position requires access to export-controlled information, and as such, employment (or hiring of a contractor) is contingent upon the candidate’s ability to access all applicable export-controlled information without additional export licensing being required by the Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.
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