Automation Team Lead

Department: Automation

Location: Littleton, Colorado

U.S. Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes

Clearance Level Must Currently Possess or be Able to Obtain: Secret

Travel: Yes

Schedule: Full Time

Description of Business Environment:

Peace is often associated with passivity. At Rocky Mountain Scientific Laboratory, we associate peace with strength, courage, and action. We know that enabling peace to prevail is not for the faint of heart, which is why we built our company foundation on the core values of Integrity, Quality, Agility, and Grit. We pride ourselves in providing unequaled services and technologies in the field of applied energetics to our customers. Our experts possess extensive knowledge and capability in energetic materials and military systems enabling them to offer analytical characterization, modeling & simulation, design, system integration, prototyping, test engineering, and proof-of-concept production services covering a wide range of applications. Our strengths lie in our ability and relentless determination to finish the job quickly and affordably.

RMSL is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Affirmative Action employer and welcomes all qualified applicants.  All qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, national origin, or other legally protected status.  An applicant with a disability or a disabled veteran can request reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our positions. The specialized staff at RMSL combines their exceptional knowledge with a passion for excellence.

Specific Job Description:

RMSL is a growth company with an outstanding job opportunity for a Technical Lead position with the Automation Team. The Automation Team Lead will be an integral part of a small cross functional team managing a small group of direct reports and working on exciting development projects with cutting-edge technology.  In this role, the ideal candidate will be responsible for designing, sourcing, prototyping, integrating, testing, and optimizing a wide variety of mechanical and electromechanical solutions. This individual must demonstrate innovation, an understanding of the fundamentals of engineering, an ability to learn, out-of-the-box thinking and creativity. This position is full time, at-will exempt and will report to the VP of Engineering.

Duties Include:

Lead Responsibilities

• Work with the VP of Engineering to ensure project schedules, cost goals, and requirements are met

• Coordinate with the VP of Engineering to identify personnel and capabilities required for the successful execution of automation projects

• Play an integral role in the development of Project Charters and Project Test and Safety Plans

• Oversee, coach, manage, and mentor a small group of direct reports consisting of technical staff

• Oversee the daily technical workflow of the Automation Team to make sure components are designed, tested, and prototyped on time and on budget

• Collaborate with other Team Leads within the company to successfully execute project-related tasks

• Work with engineers, scientists, and technicians to execute technically in accordance with Project Charters and Statements of Work that meet or exceed project and customer requirements while placing safety first

• Track progress and suggest adjustments where necessary

• Coordinate with integrated scheduling team regarding personnel and resources

• Interface with RMSL customers, teammates, and partners in a professional manner

• Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule

• Support, communicate, reinforce, and defend the mission, core values, and culture of RMSL

Technical Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design, prototyping, and testing of novel energetic materials, munitions, ballistic products, and other automated electromechanical systems

• Programming Arduinos, PLC’s, microcontrollers, etc.

• Responsible for design, integration, and test of automation and robotic systems required to meet project and customer defined requirements

• Identify and eliminate problems by gathering requirements and implementing process automation solutions

• Plan and execute design tasks with limited general direction and work effectively within an Integrated Product Team (IPT) environment

• Conduct research to find the most cost-efficient and safest automated processes

• Ensure machines and electromechanical systems operate safely, dependably, and with precision; identify and implement modifications as needed

• Identify risks, issues, and opportunities, and develop mitigation plans

• Design and implement automated systems for use in diverse manufacturing and production environments

• Support existing automation technology with components and process upgrades

• Comply with restricted information security regulations

• Develop and rigorously enforce safe practices and policies

• Follows safety and standard operating procedures; develops and executes test plans accordingly

Required Skills:

• Experience with mechanical design in a relevant field (defense, automation, robotics, additive manufacturing, etc.)

• In depth knowledge of 3D CAD design software packages such as SolidWorks (preferred), Creo (Pro-E), CATIA, Fusion 360 etc.

• Ability to design prototypes, build and test machines, and maintains the software that controls them.

• Excellent verbal and written technical communication skills and desire to lead projects

• Ability to manage a cross functional team of engineers and scientists

• Strong ability with software testing and validations

• Experience with the design and implementation of automated systems, especially as related to precision and high thruput manufacturing

• Robust problem-solving skills, the ability to learn from doing, personal accountability, process-oriented, and a positive and professional attitude

• Performing routine inspections and maintenance endeavors for weapon systems and equipment

• Operating and executing diagnostic analysis for various systems

• Knowledge of 3D CAD design software packages such as SolidWorks

• Analytical skills to include developing assessment metrics (both subjective and objective), identify data collection requirements, analyzing data, and summarize technical results clearly and effectively for internal and external technical review

• Excellent verbal and written technical communication skills and desire to lead projects; collaborate with colleagues and mentor fellow engineers

• Test, analysis, research, and development experience; understands the scientific method and design of experiments

• Researches and resolves problems efficiently, accurately, and in a timely manner, and elevates or delegates when necessary; clearly communicates issues and roadblocks up the chain of command to maintain sprint scope, efficiency, and productivity

• Experience with mechanical engineering drawings and bill of materials

• Knowledge of requirements management, functional requirements parsing, derivation, and allocation; systems design, systems integration, and technical risk identification

• Familiarity with mechanisms manufacturing, test, and qualification. Knowledge of CNC and conventional machining and machine shop theory

• Develops complete technical solutions with a high technical aptitude, and positively influences the successful completion of supported programs and projects

• Self-starter capable of performing assigned tasks with little to no direction with an attitude of neatness, timeliness, orderliness, and accuracy

• Ability to work as a valued cross-functional team member and allocate resources, capabilities, and personnel, as needed, to execute projects successfully

• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite

• Physical requirements:

  • Must be able to sit for extended periods of time; must be able to lift 50 lbs.; must have the ability to see near and far and work with a computer monitor daily

  • Required to bend, sit, stand, and lift to perform job effectively

  • Work and operate in an office, laboratory, and outdoor test range environment

• Must be able to work overtime when necessary to meet mission critical goals and timelines

Highly Beneficial Skills

• Experience in the Aerospace or Defense Industry

• Direct experience with robotics, mechatronics, and engineering control systems

• Direct experience with designing and building additive manufacturing systems (3D printers)

• Knowledge of basic-intermediate chemistry and/or chemical engineering

• Familiarity with chemical formulation

• Product design

• Automation design

• Programming experience (Python, Arduino, PLC etc.)

• Design for hazardous environments

• Experience with automated and/or robotic systems for continuous material synthesis, formulation, processing, development, and testing

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen

• Must have a BS and/or MS in a technical field of study such as Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field with a focus on automation; three or more years of relevant professional experience desired

• Able to pass an ATF “Responsible Party” background check and obtain State of Colorado Explosives Blaster permit

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Security Clearance

Work Environment:

• While performing the duties of this job, employees may work in conditions that require the use of personal protective equipment such as face protection (safety glasses, goggles, face shield), foot protection (i.e., steel toed shoes, rubber boots, etc.), gloves, hard hat, shop coat and hearing protection. The work environment may require a combination of indoor and outdoor activity (hot, cold, wet, humid conditions) with a varied amount of walking, standing, and sitting. Work may require the ability to operate material handling equipment (forklift, crane, hoist, man lift, etc.) in a safe manner.

• Fast-paced, team-oriented environment where constant iteration, agility, improvement, and innovation is key to team, program, and company success

Benefits:

• Medical insurance

• Dental insurance

• Vision insurance

• 401(k) with matching

• Disability insurance

• Life insurance

• Paid time off

• Professional development

• Flexible schedule

• Employee discounts

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package and a dynamic, team oriented, and fun environment. Some on-the-job training is provided. Compensation and title contingent upon experience. 

Must be able to start within 3 weeks of offer.

Relocation assistance for this position is available.

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package and a dynamic, team oriented, and fun environment. Some on-the-job training is provided; compensation and title contingent upon experience. To submit a resume and cover letter or If you are interested in knowing more about this great opportunity, please use the link below to select your career of interest  https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=RMSL&l=Littleton%2C+CO.

We also invite all applicants to voluntarily fill out the Voluntary Self-Identification Form CC-305. (Follow the links to the right for the necessary forms.)