The Applied Energy Technology Corp. (AETC) is seeking an experienced Engineering Manager. This position will be responsible for directly, coordinating and lead activities of the engineering department in design, manufacture, test components, and qualification of electro‑explosive devices and energetic safety components for aerospace/defense applications. This person will serve as technical authority and ensures compliance with FAA PMA (as applicable), customer, military, industry standards and regulatory requirements in a safety‑critical manufacturing environment.
AETC specializes in designing, engineering, and manufacturing energetic solutions. Primary product applications, including fire extinguisher cartridges utilized in fire extinguisher systems on military and commercial aircraft is our expertise. Other products include impulse cartridges, detonators, initiators, cutters, and pyrotechnic time delays.
Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop design, manufacturing, and sustaining engineering teams.
• Act as technical authority for EED, initiator, and firing element designs.
• Plan and execute qualification, verification, and validation programs (environmental, functional, aging/life, and safety testing).
• Provide engineering support to manufacturing, including special process control, validation, and yield/reliability improvement.
• Lead root cause investigations, failure analysis, and corrective actions. Resolves problems using solutions that involve new techniques, technologies, or concepts.
• Control configuration and engineering changes (ECR/ECO/ECN) for regulated products.
• Ensure compliance with AETC Quality, FAA PMA (when applicable), and applicable customer, military, and industry standards.
• Support audits, customer reviews, and regulatory interactions.
• Ensure engineering activities comply with explosives safety and site requirements.
• Support supplier technical qualification and change control for critical materials and components.
• Maintains a working knowledge of new technologies which may improve operations, and develops recommendations accordingly.
• Maintains a working knowledge of safety policies and regulations to ensure duties of self and others are performed in a safe manner.

• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs work-flows and procedures.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Project Management - Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.
• Interpersonal - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed; Recognizes accomplishments of other team members.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Delegation - Delegates work assignments; Matches the responsibility to the person; Gives authority to work independently; Sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; Provides recognition for results.
• Managing People - Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; Makes self-available to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products and services; Continually works to improve supervisory skills.
• Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions; Displays orientation to profitability; Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with strategic goals.
• Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Contributes to profits and revenue; Conserves organizational resources.
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Quantity - Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works quickly.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.    

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, Electrical, Materials, or Chemical Engineering (or related).
• 8+ years of engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or high‑reliability manufacturing.
• 3+ years in an engineering leadership or supervisory role.
• Applicant must be capable of qualifying and maintain and ATF explosives handler's license.
• Applicant must be a ‘US Person’ as defined by ITAR (22CFR  § 120.62) due to required access to ITAR-controlled technical data; therefore, candidates must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders), or protected individuals (asylees/refugees).

• Direct experience with EEDs, squibs, initiators, detonators, or energetic safety components.
• Experience with FAA PMA programs and AS9100 quality systems.
• Experience with qualification testing, reliability engineering, and product life/aging programs.

• Knowledge of electrical initiation systems, small electromechanical assemblies, and special processes.
• Strong problem‑solving, failure analysis, and documentation skills.
• Effective communication with manufacturing, quality, customers, and regulators.

• Work in an explosives manufacturing and test environment with required safety controls and PPE.
• Occasional travel to customers.