Propellant Production Lead

Destinus is looking for a Propellant Production Lead to head the serial manufacturing of solid‑rocket‑motor propellant at its Lucerne site. The company's engineering team develops high‑performance propulsion solutions, and this role sits at the core of the production floor, where safety‑critical chemistry meets tight regulatory oversight. The daily work involves coordinating a crew of two to three technicians, planning and scheduling the shop‑floor agenda to hit output targets while maintaining strict safety standards. You will keep the management board up‑to‑date, monitor material inventories, and ensure consumables are replenished on time. Hands‑on duties include mixing, casting and curing propellant grains according to validated batch records, as well as supervising the weighing and handling of energetic raw materials under the relevant permits. You will author, maintain and enforce SOPs, own all batch documentation, and guarantee full traceability of materials, process parameters and personnel for each run. When issues arise, you will work with engineering, QA and safety teams to troubleshoot, initiate corrective actions and promptly report non‑conformances, while continuously seeking improvements in yield, process efficiency and safety compliance with Swiss authorities (SUVA, StFV, VKF). The position requires a university degree in chemistry, chemical engineering or a closely related discipline, together with several years of practical experience in producing ammunition, propellants, pyrotechnics or other energetic materials. Proven ability to lead a small production team, set daily rhythms and develop technician competence is essential. A solid grasp of chemical‑production safety, hazardous‑material handling and the specific Swiss regulatory framework is mandatory, and the ability to draft and enforce detailed SOPs and batch records is a core expectation. Experience with ERP or production‑management tools and a meticulous, process‑driven mindset are also required, as is fluency in both German and English. The role offers the chance to work in a highly regulated, safety‑critical environment where leadership is demonstrated by example. You will be part of a compact, technically skilled team, with direct influence on continuous‑improvement initiatives and the opportunity to shape operational standards at a growing aerospace company. The Lucerne location provides a professional setting within Switzerland's strong engineering ecosystem, supporting both personal development and the advancement of cutting‑edge propulsion technology. What the role asks for: - Degree in chemistry, chemical engineering or related field - Several years hands‑on experience with ammunition, propellants or energetic materials - Proven leadership of a small production team (2‑3 technicians) - Strong knowledge of Swiss chemical safety regulations (SUVA, StFV, VKF) - Ability to author and enforce SOPs and batch records - Experience with ERP or production‑management systems and traceability - Fluency in German and English - Nice‑to‑have: permits for explosives or pyrotechnics