Bravo Ordnance→
Range Operations Manager at Bravo Ordnance in Cedar Creek, TX
Skills
Job Description
About Bravo Ordnance
Where Unmanned Systems Become Weapons of Tomorrow
Bravo Ordnance is an elite defense engineering company dedicated to redefining the most decisive - and often most underserved - element of modern warfare: the warhead. Headquartered in Cedar Creek, Texas, we bridge the gap between "drones" and "munitions" by designing and manufacturing high-performance, custom warhead systems for the next generation of autonomous platforms.
What We Do
The traditional defense industry moves in years; we move in days. Leveraging industrial-grade additive manufacturing (3D printing), advanced fluid dynamics, and cutting-edge energetics R&D, we have compressed the development cycle from months to under two weeks. Our team takes mission requirements from a "napkin sketch" to a combat-ready, tested system with unparalleled speed.
Our core technologies include:
- Additive Manufacturing for Munitions: Accelerating the production of complex geometries and custom fragmentation sleeves.
- Advanced Energetics: Pioneering materials like Gemini, our transport-safe binary explosive with TNT-equivalent performance.
- Modular Systems Integration: Creating scalable lethality profiles for loitering munitions, UAS, USVs, and underwater platforms.
Why Join Us?
At Bravo Ordnance, you aren’t just a cog in a massive defense conglomerate. You are a builder. Founded by combat veterans and industry experts with backgrounds in the U.S. Navy, Army PSYOP, and nuclear engineering, we operate with "startup speed" and military discipline.
We are backed by top-tier venture capital to build the tools of deterrence that will protect the U.S. and its allies.
Our Culture
- Mission First: We understand the weight of our work. Our systems are designed to ensure that those who go into harm's way have the most effective tools possible.
- Rapid Innovation: We value "fail fast, fix faster." Our engineers have the freedom to prototype, test, and iterate in our in-house explosives facilities.
- Elite Collaboration: You’ll work alongside forensic investigators, explosive chemists, and retired Navy Weapons Officers in an environment where technical excellence meets field-tested practicality.
Role Overview
Bravo Ordnance is seeking a Range Operations Manager to lead our outdoor testing and explosives operations. This is the "Sharp End" of our R&D. You will be responsible for the safety, execution, and data integrity of all live-fire and blast testing. We are looking for a leader who treats safety as a technical discipline and understands that in our world, "good enough" is a failure state.
You will oversee the explosive lifecycle—from magazine inventory and weapon system loading to the final blast analysis—ensuring that every "boom" results in actionable data for our engineering teams.
Primary Responsibilities
1. Explosive Range Operations & Safety
- Site Command: Direct all range activities, ensuring strict adherence to SOPs, local laws, and federal regulations (ATF/DOT).
- Risk Mitigation: Conduct comprehensive hazard assessments for every test event. You are the final "No-Go" authority for any operation that does not meet our safety threshold.
- Lead-by-Example Safety: Foster a culture where safety and mission-success are inseparable, ensuring all personnel (including leadership and visitors) follow strict range hygiene.
2. Ordnance & Weapon Systems Management
- System Loading: Act as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the explosive loading of advanced weapon systems. You will ensure consistent, repeatable configurations for R&D testing.
- Magazine Sovereignty: Manage the explosive magazine inventory with 100% accuracy. You will lead the "Joiner-Mover-Leaver" lifecycle for all CUI/explosive materials, ensuring compliance with Ed Zinsmeyer’s regulatory framework.
- Transportation: Oversee the secure and compliant transport of ordnance between the lab and the range.
3. Data Collection & Blast Analysis
- Instrumentation: Coordinate with the Electrical Engineering team (Sean/Trenton) to set up sensors, high-speed cameras, and data acquisition systems in the blast zone.
- Technical Reporting: Translate physical blast events into digital data. You will analyze pressure waves, fragmentation patterns, and system performance to help Jake and Tom iterate on designs.
- Failure Analysis: Lead the "Post-Shot" investigation if a system underperforms, identifying the mechanical or explosive root cause.
Technical Requirements & Preferences
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Experience | 5-10 years in high-hazard range environments or explosives handling. |
| Education | Prior EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) experience is highly preferred. |
| Regulatory | Deep familiarity with ATF Orange Book standards and NIST 800-171 (ITAR) for data. |
| Technical | Proficient in data analysis software and explosive weight-calculation formulas. |
The "Bravo" Cultural Fit
- Methodical Under Pressure: You have the "EOD Calm." When things go sideways, you are the most composed person on the range.
- Strategic Thinking: You don't just clear a range; you think about how to make the next test 10% more efficient.
The "Anti-Shortcut" Mentality: You understand that federal compliance isn't a hurdle; it’s our license to operate.