Manager, Automation and Controls Engineering at Castelion in Torrance, CA

Job description

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 Lead the automation and controls engineering team, including priorities, technical direction, hiring, mentoring, and performance. Own the design, review, and qualification of automated work cells, robotic systems, motion control, PLC/HMI/SCADA architectures, and safety-rated controls for SRM manufacturing processes. Establish and enforce standards for controls design, programming, documentation, industrial networking, and system integration. Drive Design for Automation input into new product introduction, equipment selection, and process changes. Partner with Manufacturing Engineering and Tooling on work-cell concepts, fixture interfaces, and semi-automated or fully automated solutions. Oversee system commissioning, FAT/SAT, production release, and ongoing support for automation and controls equipment. Manage vendor selection, capital planning, spare-parts strategy, and continuous improvement of existing automation systems. Ensure automation and controls designs meet functional safety, hazardous-location, and energetic-materials safety requirements. Integrate data collection, MES interfaces, and digital tools to support process monitoring and traceability. Support facility ramp and production scaling at Midland, TX and the Project Ranger campus in New Mexico. Report automation readiness, reliability, risk, cost, and schedule metrics to senior manufacturing leadership. Required Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, or related field required. Master’s degree preferred. Experience: 8+ years of automation, controls, or manufacturing equipment engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or complex process manufacturing. 3+ years leading engineers or serving as a technical lead on automation and controls programs. Demonstrated success designing, commissioning, and sustaining industrial automation systems in a production environment. Technical Skills Strong experience with industrial automation platforms (Rockwell, Siemens, Beckhoff or equivalent), robotics, servo/motion control, and machine vision. Proficiency in PLC programming, HMI/SCADA development, industrial networks (EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, Profinet), and safety PLCs. Working knowledge of electrical design tools, system architecture, and integration