Energetics Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

We are the integrators of industrial alchemy. Chemistry is the invisible layer of all critical industries, but the old supply chain is being weaponized. We exist to solve that. We don't refine petroleum. We create the molecules that matter most––from the atom up. Welcome to Creationary Chemistry™.

Our chemistry is not abstract. It powers rockets, secures industries, and sustains societies. We measure success not just by immediate impact, but by the durable, clean, and scalable systems we deploy. From rocket-grade fuels and highly stable energetics to rare-earth extractants, we use biocatalysis and primordial chemistry to create carbon chains of desirable length and shape, eliminating the environmental and geopolitical risks of oil and its refining.

With early revenue, we\'ve already demonstrated key technical milestones across our initial product suite and are now focused on scaling toward production and real-world deployment. Creationary Chemistry™ offers a generational opportunity to build small, distributed chemical generators instead of billion-dollar refineries.

At Ohr, scientists sit at the center of invention. This role exists for chemists who are ready to own energetics programs—not just contribute to them.

We\'re looking for a Senior Scientist, Energetics to own energetics programs from reaction design through scale-ready development. You\'ll operate with real autonomy in the lab, guide technical strategy across programs, and serve as a scientific anchor for our energetics product portfolio.

This opportunity is for scientists who are comfortable making technical decisions, operating in environments where not everything is predefined, and taking responsibility for the success of chemistry programs. Whether your experience comes from industry, academia, government, or a startup, you\'re looking for a role where your judgment matters, your experiments shape direction, and your work has a clear path from the bench to real-world deployment.

You\'ll lead the creation, development, and scale-up of energetics within Ohr\'s Creationary Chemistry™ platform, owning reaction design, technical execution, and scientific progression from discovery through deployment. You will:

• Design and optimize scalable synthetic routes for energetic, explosive, propellant, and related chemical systems.
• Plan and execute synthetic routes with comprehensive consideration for process safety and the safe handling of novel energetic compounds.
• Develop energetics reactions through optimization of solvents, catalysts, kinetic parameters, and operating conditions.
• Convert conventional batch exothermic and corrosive reactions into novel continuous flow systems.
• Develop crystallization, recrystallization, precipitation, milling, and particle-size control processes for energetic materials.
• Support the development of polymer-bonded explosives and related energetic formulations.
• Characterize energetic materials and evaluate purity using analytical techniques including HPLC, LC/MS, GC-FID, GC-MS, NMR, elemental analysis, DSC, TGA, XRD, and SEM.
• Evaluate energetic materials for deflagration and performance characteristics including velocity of detonation (VoD), ESD sensitivity, friction sensitivity, ignition onset temperature, and related safety metrics.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, SOPs, and work instructions supporting energetics synthesis and development.
• Serve as the subject matter expert on energetics assessment and IP landscape evaluation.
• Uphold and exemplify excellence in laboratory safety, chemical hygiene, and responsible research practices.

• Education in Synthetic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, or a closely related chemistry discipline.
• Master\'s degree or higher preferred, though equivalent experience will be considered.
• Approximately 4–8 years of hands-on experience developing energetic materials, explosives, or propellants in an industrial, government, or research environment.

• Experience designing and optimizing synthesis routes for energetic, explosive, or propellant materials.
• Detailed experience planning synthetic routes with complete consideration for the safe handling of novel energetic compounds.
• Deep understanding of the chemistry of insensitive high explosives (IHE).
• Proven track record with nitro-group chemistry and amination processes.
• Experience developing energetics reactions through optimization of solvents, catalysts, kinetic parameters, and operating conditions.
• Hands-on experience converting batch reactions into continuous or flow processes.
• Experience isolating energetic materials through crystallization, precipitation, and related purification methods.
• Familiarity with energetic material sensitivity, thermal stability, compatibility, and safe handling considerations.

• Experience identifying energetic materials and assessing purity using analytical techniques including HPLC, LC/MS, GC-FID, GC-MS, NMR, elemental analysis, DSC, and TGA.
• Experience evaluating energetic materials for velocity of detonation (VoD), electrostatic discharge (ESD) sensitivity, friction sensitivity, ignition onset temperature, and related performance metrics.

• This role involves access to data and systems subject to U.S. export control regulations, including ITAR. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, or a protected individual as defined under 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).
• Experience working with international technical teams or external collaborators.

• Experience developing processes for polymer-bonded explosives, including formulation and casting.
• Experience developing milling, recrystallization, and particle-size control processes for energetic materials.
• Subject matter expertise in energetics assessment and IP landscape evaluation.
• Familiarity with DoD explosive safety standards (e.g., DoD 4145.26 and applicable MIL specifications).
• Active U.S. Security Clearance or the ability to obtain one.

• Scientific ownership and technical judgment
• Process safety and risk management
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Strong documentation and regulatory compliance practices
• Ability to thrive in high-hazard laboratory environments

• Onsite five days per week in a fast-moving, highly collaborative R&D environment.
• Hands-on work in HazMat and energetics laboratories involving flammable, corrosive, explosive, and other hazardous materials.
• Up to approximately 10% travel to support collaborators, partners, or facilities.

The annual base salary range for this position is $165,000 – $185,000, commensurate with experience, plus equity. Final compensation will be determined based on skills, experience, and qualifications.

Ohr offers a competitive benefits package, including:

• Medical coverage — a wide range of plans, with many options fully covered for employees and dependents at no cost to the employee
  401(k) with employer match — up to 4% of eligible compensation
• Paid time off — including vacation, paid company holidays, and an end-of-year shutdown
• Equity — you\'re joining at an early and consequential moment in Ohr\'s growth. We offer equity commensurate with experience, with meaningful upside as we scale.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. Ohr is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

To Apply: Introduce yourself and attach your resume to Dave Wernick, Chief Technology Officer and Frances Isles, Head of People & Talent at scientists@ohr.xyz