Question
5-10

Engineering Manager (Design)

11/25/2025

The Engineering Manager is responsible for executing New Product Development and Production activities on-time and within budget. This role involves leading teams to improve product performance and ensuring compliance with established policies and procedures.

Salary

149200 - 174000 USD

Working Hours

40 hours/week

Company Size

51-200 employees

Language

English

Visa Sponsorship

No

About The Company
1. History / Background Chemring Energetic Devices (CED), located in Downers Grove, Illinois, has been manufacturing mission critical ordnance, pyro-mechanical components and electronics for the defense and aerospace industry since the 1950s. 2. Business Segments CED’s business is divided into four market segments: Aircraft Pyro Segment This segment has historically been the mainstay of CED’s business. CED is the leading supplier of CAD/PAD devices (Cartridge Activated/Propellant Actuated) for the life-support and emergency egress needs of US military pilots. CED enjoys an excellent reputation for the quality of its products. CED’s top customers are USAF and US Navy on ejection seat legacy aircraft platforms. Missiles Segment CED has long been a top pyro-mechanisms supplier to some of the major US Missile platforms. CED manufactures devices for JASSM, THAAD, and Tomahawk etc. These devices are primarily pyro-mechanical devices for the missile’s propulsion and flight maneuvering applications. Space Segment This segment is centered on CED’s sole-sourced position on Initiators. Our NASA heritage provides truly “space-grade” quality and reliability, not only to the initiators but to all pyro-mechanical devices that are driven by those initiators. CED’s customers are the launch vehicle and satellite primes and tier-1 systems providers. Electronics Segment With their JCAST and SCOT tester line of products, CED is the sole source provider of portable test equipment used by USAF pilots to check out their life support and communications gear prior to flight. 3. Core Technology Expertise CED is recognized as the leading technical expert in energetics engineering. CED develops its ordnance and pyrotechnic devices by applying physics-based analysis and modelling. CED possesses unique and internally-developed computational models for designing and troubleshooting complex pyro-mechanical devices.
About the Role

Description

Be part of a growing team. Join Chemring Energetic Devices (CED) as we build products that protect our Country, protect the individual warfighter, and send rockets into outer space. CED is well situated in Downers Grove, Illinois. We are located a commuter train ride West of Chicago and a short drive from farmland.


· Exciting growth – Our work supports major space and defense programs.

· Impactful work – help manufacture components critical to national security

· Fast-paced environment

· Join a high-performing team in a thriving industry

· Ready to make an impact? Apply today to be part of our mission-critical team!


CED strives to pay a competitive wage in the industry and regional market. The pay range for this position is $149.2k to $174k and is eligible to participate in our discretionary bonus program. Our strong benefits offerings include eligibility to participate in 1 of 3 different BCBS of IL medical plans, Dental (SunLife) Vision (EyeMed), Life and Disability Insurance, 401(k) with a generous 6% match, 11 Paid Holidays, 5 paid Sick Days (based on a full year of employment) and paid vacation.


JOB SUMMARY

The Engineering Manager is a department leader who holds responsibility for execution of New Product Development and Production activities on-time and within budget. Ensures all engineering projects, initiatives, and processes are in conformance with CED’s established policies and procedures. Collaboratively works cross-functionally with departments across the organization to advance CED’s engineering and R&D capabilities. This position directly supports the growth and technical development of less experienced Engineers.



Requirements

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS 

· Direct New Product Development (NPD) efforts within established CED processes ensuring cost and schedule targets are achieved

· Lead product improvement/redesign teams to overcome product performance issues and drive toward innovative and improved designs

· Support legacy production jobs maintaining up-to-date Technical Data Packages (TDP) guaranteeing products are readily producible

· Lead efforts to determine feasibility, risk and effort associated with product development

· Provides technical assistance to other functions within the organization as requested

· Provide expert judgment and analysis for the design, development and implementation of technical products and systems

· Interface with Business Development and Manufacturing to ensure that support is forthcoming for ongoing proposal activities

· Provide leadership to junior engineers and develop growth opportunities and channels

· Support internal recurring status meetings with manufacturing

· Define engineering development strategies in support of project and product goals and requirements

· Lead the mechanical engineering staff and other IPDT team members regarding technical evaluations and programmatic and design tradeoff decisions

· Support and/or coordinate design reviews for the functional group and any project for which the Pyrophoric Mechanisms group plays a key role

· Direct Pyrophoric Mechanisms staff in the definition and development of verification and validation test plans 

· Define and track key product metrics with the intent of identifying product and process improvements.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS 

· Comply with government and corporate laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures

· Ensure 100% compliance with the Chemring Operational Framework, Code of Conduct and U.S. Code of Ethics and Business Conduct 

· Special projects and additional duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Provides direct supervision to a variety of junior / entry level exempt employees

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, or chemistry

EXPERIENCE

· Five to 10 years of related Aerospace/Military/Ordnance industry experience

· Advanced degree in a related discipline is a plus 

· Demonstrated experience mentoring of junior engineering staff

· Experience in leading the long-term and complex management of engineering programs and projects

· Experience with prime defense contractor specifications and/or military regulations

SKILLS and QUALIFICATIONS

· Lawful permanent resident of the United States (ITAR restrictions)

· Must be eligible to possess explosives under the Safe Explosives Act of 2003 (as amended) as required by the Bureau   of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) for all employees of Chemring Energetic Devices

   Strong team player and willingness to create solutions and accept ownership for new and different requests

· Ability to represent the Company positively and professionally through behavior, attitude and communication

· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both internal and external to the organization

· Discerning attention to financial, risk and resource management / deployment 

· Must be comfortable with multiple competing demands and is able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events in a calm and logical manner 

· Familiarity with AS-9100 Standards and CED’s Quality Management System

PHYSICAL AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving objects, weighing up to 20 pounds occasionally and/or a negligible amount of weight frequently. Involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Use of computer for extended periods of time. 

DISCLAIMER 

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential job functions of this position. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Employees will be expected to perform other job functions and duties as may be needed and/or required.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Chemring Energetic Devices (CED) is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. 

The “Know Your Rights” Poster is available here: EEOC Know Your Rights 

CED’s EEO Policy Statement is available here:  CED EEO Policy Statement

CED is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to Humanresources@ced.us.com or call (630) 969-0620and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.


#ZR

Key Skills
New Product DevelopmentProduct ImprovementTechnical Data PackagesRisk ManagementMentoringEngineering ProgramsMilitary RegulationsInterpersonal SkillsCommunication SkillsFinancial ManagementQuality ManagementAS-9100 StandardsTeam LeadershipVerificationValidationTechnical Assistance
Categories
EngineeringManagement & LeadershipManufacturingScience & ResearchSecurity & Safety
Benefits
Medical PlansDentalVisionLife InsuranceDisability Insurance401(k) MatchPaid HolidaysPaid Sick DaysPaid Vacation
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