Quality Lab Manager

About Firehawk Aerospace
Firehawk Aerospace is a propulsion‑focused aerospace and defense company headquartered in Addison, TX, combining advanced additive manufacturing with innovative engineering to produce reliable and cost‑effective solid and hybrid rocket motors. We maintain a rigorous, safety‑driven culture across all laboratory and production operations to ensure the highest standards of quality in every stage of propulsion development. As we continue expanding our programs and capabilities, Firehawk offers motivated professionals in Lawton, OK the opportunity to directly contribute to the precision, consistency, and performance of next‑generation rocket systems.

Job Summary
The Quality Lab Manager oversees laboratory operations related to raw materials analysis, propellant formulation, testing, and evaluation, and material failure investigation. This role ensures all materials meet internal specifications, customer requirements, and regulatory obligations. The manager collaborates closely with manufacturing, engineering, and quality teams to maintain precise documentation, accurate testing, and a safe working environment for energetic materials.

Key Responsibilities:
•Manage daily operations of the quality laboratory.
•Perform and oversee testing of raw materials, propellants and energetic materials.
•Maintain compliance with AS9100, ISO17025, and energetic material handling regulations.
•Ensure documentation accuracy, traceability, and test record integrity.
•Develop and maintain laboratory procedures and work instructions.
•Support engineering and manufacturing teams through test data analysis.
•Lead root cause investigations and corrective action implementation in relation to raw materials or product specification failure.
•Oversee calibration and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
•Train and mentor laboratory personnel.
•Initial training locations in Chico, TX and Midland, TX. Travel may be required for up to 25% per month.

Basic Qualifications:
•Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
•5+ years of laboratory experience with energetic or hazardous materials.
•Familiarity with DSC, TGA, rheology, compatibility testing, and related analytical methods.
•Experience working within AS9100 or ISO17025 quality systems.
•Ability to obtain and maintain ATF employee possessor clearance.
•Ability to lift 50 lbs and safely handle energetic materials.

Preferred Qualifications:
•Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
•Prior leadership or lab management experience.
•Industrial experience in a laboratory handling propellants or energetic materials.
•Knowledge of NADCAP audit requirements.
•Experience with advanced data analysis and statistical methods.

ITAR Requirements:
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

What We Offer:
•Competitive compensation and benefits.
•Opportunities to work on critical aerospace programs.
•Strong focus on quality, safety, and innovation.
•Career growth in an advanced propulsion development environment.
•A collaborative and inclusive workplace culture.

Security Clearance:
May be required to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance at the appropriate level. Requires U.S. Citizenship. Must also be able to satisfy federal government requirements for access to government information, and having dual citizenship may preclude you from being able to meet this requirement.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:
Firehawk Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firehawk Aerospace is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.