Warhead Design Expert

Job Title: Warhead Design Expert

COMPANY OVERVIEW:

The Energetics Technology Center (ETC) is a nonprofit organization that advances research, innovation, and workforce development in the defense and national security sectors. We serve as a trusted partner to government agencies, universities, and regional innovation ecosystems, helping to strengthen the U.S. industrial base and accelerate technology transition. The Warhead Design Expert will play a key role in communicating ETC’s impact, supporting client program success, and expanding awareness of ETC’s capabilities across the defense and technology communities. This individual will work closely with clients, program teams, and leadership to ensure that marketing, outreach, and communications strategies support both mission objectives and ETC’s organizational growth.

JOB DESCRIPTION/DUTIES:

• We are seeking a highly skilled Warhead & Energetics Engineer to lead advanced munitions development efforts across air, surface, and undersea weapon systems. This role is responsible for providing technical leadership in warhead design, energetic materials integration, lethality analysis, and ordnance qualification. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in advanced energetics, missile/warhead development, DoD qualification activities, and engagement with government program offices and technical review panels.


• Lead warhead, lethality, and energetics development activities for advanced weapon programs.


• Serve as subject matter expert (SME) supporting internal teams and senior-level government stakeholders.


• Evaluate and resolve technical ordnance challenges across multiple missile or munition development efforts.


• Lead the development, integration, and testing of energetic materials, propulsion components, and warhead subsystem concepts.


• Develop technical strategies, risk mitigation plans, and integrated energetic subsystem recommendations.


• Support capture activities by developing inputs for RFIs, RFPs, technical volumes, Design‑to‑Cost (DTC) concepts, and Position‑to‑Win (PTW) analyses.


• Prepare and present technical content to government review boards, including FISTRP, WSESRB, IMTWG, MREB, and NOSSA.


• Conduct lethality assessments, modeling, analysis, and evaluation of warhead performance in maritime, land, and undersea environments.


• Lead insensitive munitions (IM) strategy development and qualification planning.


• Collaborate with DoD laboratories, industry partners, and energetic manufacturers on advanced technology maturation.


• Support explosive test planning, execution, and environmental qualification in accordance with military standards.


• Contribute to internal R&D, technology development initiatives, and proposal efforts for advanced energetic concepts.

POSITION LOCATION:

• This position is onsite at Indian Head, MD (IHD)
  

EXPERIENCE: 

Required:

• 8–12+ years of experience in warhead design, energetics integration, missile lethality, or related DoD munitions development.


• Hands‑on experience with energetic materials, warhead development, lethality modeling, and/or propulsion subsystem integration.


• Experience supporting or presenting to government technical review boards (e.g., WSESRB, FISTRP, NOSSA).


• Direct work supporting advanced weapons programs within DoD, defense contractors, or naval surface/air warfare centers.


• Experience developing test plans, conducting explosive testing, and interpreting results against DoD standards.


• Experience leading cross‑functional technical teams.

Preferred:

• Prior experience with hypersonic lethality concepts, maritime target effects, insensitive munitions strategy, or advanced energetic materials.


• Experience supporting business development, proposal writing, and technical volume authorship.


• Experience conducting modeling/simulation of warhead or explosive effects (hydrocodes, terminal effects modeling, etc.).

EDUCATION:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related technical field.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field with emphasis in energetics, munitions, or weapons development.

CERTIFICATION(S):

• No formal certifications required.

Certifications or training in the following are considered a plus:

• Energetic materials handling or ordnance safety


• Program management or systems engineering coursework (e.g., INCOSE, PMP)

CLEARANCE LEVEL:

• Ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI or program‑specific access may be required based on contract needs.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be U.S. Citizen as verified through the E-Verify program

BENEFITS:

• ETC offers a competitive and employee-focused benefits package, including flexible work schedules, generous PTO and paid holidays, employer-paid medical, dental, and vision options, tuition assistance, life and disability coverage, and a 401(k) plan with an immediate Safe Harbor employer match. Our goal is to support the well-being, growth, and long-term success of every team member.