Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Shape the Future of Space and Energy Testing

At Barber-Nichols (BN), we engineer custom turbomachinery that powers breakthroughs across Defense, Aerospace, Cryogenics, and Energy. Our customers lead their fields; we help them push farther. If you thrive in high-stakes environments and want your leadership to matter, you’ll find your place here—supported by a team that invests in your growth and celebrates your wins.

Day in the Life

You’ll begin your day scanning the operations dashboard, confirming facility readiness for a slate of cryogenic flow tests. A propulsion development campaign needs stand time, a qualification program is awaiting data review, and an infrastructure upgrade window opens this afternoon. You coordinate shifts, align engineering, safety, and quality, and walk down the LOX/LH2/LN2/LCH4 systems to confirm configuration integrity before authorizing operations. When an anomaly emerges in a data acquisition channel, you guide rapid troubleshooting, protect schedule, and reinforce process discipline—without ever compromising safety.

What You’ll Lead

• Operational stewardship of a cryogenic and propellant test facility supporting flow testing, qualification, and product development for space, energy, and defense programs.
• Safe, reliable, and repeatable execution of cryogenic testing, including planning, scheduling, staffing, and resource management.
• Upkeep and availability of storage, transfer, conditioning, pressurization, controls, DAQ, instrumentation, and utilities.
• Continuous improvement to increase throughput, reliability, and data quality; establish and track KPIs for safety, quality, schedule, and utilization.
• Technical oversight of LOX, LH2, LN2, and methane systems, from hazard analysis and risk mitigation to complex troubleshooting.
• Compliance leadership aligned with NASA, NFPA, ISO, AS9100, environmental, export control, and customer requirements.
• Definition, documentation, and enforcement of standardized test processes, configuration management, and disciplined data practices.
• People leadership: build, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary team of engineers, technicians, and operators; set clear roles and expectations; drive a culture of ownership, collaboration, and safety-first decisions.

Supervisory Scope

Direct management of test facility personnel, including hiring, training, performance feedback, and career development. You will also influence across engineering, quality, safety, and program management to deliver on cross-functional commitments.

Your Background

• BS in Engineering, Physics, or related field (MS preferred).
• 10+ years leading operations in aerospace, propulsion, or cryogenic test environments.
• Proven track record running safety-critical, complex technical operations.
• Deep expertise in cryogenic propellants (LOX, LH2, LN2, methane), fluid systems, instrumentation, and data acquisition.
• History of building/leading high-performing teams and establishing robust safety programs for hazardous systems.

Bonus Points

• Experience with spaceflight hardware development, qualification, or production.
• Commissioning or upgrading cryogenic test infrastructure.
• Hands-on with propulsion systems, turbomachinery, valves, and flow-control hardware testing.
• Implementation of QMS and continuous improvement (e.g., AS9100, ISO).
• Working knowledge of NASA, ISO, NFPA, and AS9100 standards and operations in ITAR/EAR environments.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this role is $140,000 - $160,000 , commensurate with experience. Final compensation is based on education, training, and directly related experience and may fall outside the stated range.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• FSA and HSA options with company-paid HSA quarterly contributions
• Disability, Life, and AD&D Insurance
• 401(k) with 4% Company Match and immediate vesting, plus 401(k) Profit Sharing
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (NYSE: GHM)
• Generous PTO and Paid Holidays, with an option to purchase additional PTO
• Tuition reimbursement
• Performance-based bonus program
• Paid Parental Leave, Military Leave, Jury Duty, and Bereavement Leave
• Mental, physical, and financial wellness programs

Explore more at barber- nichols.com/careers.

Physical & Work Realities

The demands of this role are significant and safety-critical. Please review the following carefully:

Physical & Mental Demands:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is primarily required to sit, stand, walk, stoop, and bend. Must be able to speak and communicate clearly with others. This position requires the ability to exert up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and up to 5 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Corrected vision of 20/20 or adequate equivalency is required, along with the ability to identify and distinguish colors.

• Mental Demands: While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent must be able to read, write, analyze data and reports, exercise sound judgment, develop plans, procedures, and goals, present information to others, and perform effectively under pressure.

• Work Environment: While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent will be working in a C1D2 environment, where the incumbent is exposed to hazardous materials, fumes, or airborne articles, as well as moving mechanical parts with vibration. High levels of manufacturing and equipment noise is also present. Duties are performed in both indoor and outdoor settings within a manufacturing environment, subject to variable temperatures and conditions. Outdoor duties may be performed in direct sunlight and elevated ambient temperatures characteristic of Florida's summer climate, where heat index values can be extreme.

Legal & Equal Opportunity

*ITAR Requirements:?To conform to U.S. Government commercial space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), applicants for employment at Barber-Nichols must be a U.S. citizen or national, lawfully admitted for permanent residence into the U.S. (i.e., current green card holder), or lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. § 1157-1158.? Security clearance is not

**required

**for this position

* .

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Barber-Nichols is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to a workplace free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other protected status as defined by law.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Summer work, Immediate start, Shift work

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