Senior Propulsion Engineer, Air Vehicles (Solid Rocket Motor Integration)

The Air Dominance & Strike Propulsion Integration team designs and integrates advanced hardware for Group 5 air vehicles and missile platforms.

As a Senior Propulsion Engineer, you will serve as a lead or key contributor in the selection, architecting, and integration of Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs), ignition systems, Thrust Vector Control (TVC) systems, and associated ordnance on missile platforms and air vehicles.

Responsibilities:

• Design, fabricate, and test prototype components, structural interfaces, and thrust vectoring or ignition control systems.
• Plan, instrument, and execute ground static fire, environmental, and integration tests of solid rocket propulsion systems.
• Coordinate with SRM vendors, develop strategic partnerships, and manage development projects.
• Lead or support critical hardware demonstrations with customers as needed.
• Critical member of team supporting CAD design for structural integration, motor cases, nozzles, blast tubes, and aerodynamic / structural interfaces.
• Travel to vendor sites, test sites and test ranges as needed.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering.
• 8+ years of propulsion engineering experience on tactical missiles, launch vehicles, or air vehicles.
• Experience with Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs) for aerospace or defense applications.
• Strong understanding of solid rocket motor ballistics, propellant chemistry, and familiarity with grain design.
• Proven experience designing complex mechanical parts, structural interfaces, or rocket motor components (using 3D CAD).
• Exposure to static fire testing, environmental testing, or qualification of rocket motors.
• Familiar with manufacturing methods (machining, composites / filament winding, high-temperature materials, sheet metal, 3D printing, etc.).
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in NX / Teamcenter, Python, MATLAB.
• Hands-on experience with solid rocket motor testing, including static fire test practices, instrumentation, and data processing.
• Previous work experience at a Solid Rocket Motor OEM or supplier, with a deep understanding of propellant formulation, grain geometries, and nozzle performance trade-offs.
• Knowledge and experience working with Thrust Vector Control (TVC) systems, Ignition Safety Devices (ISD / ESAD), ordnance systems, telemetry / flight termination systems, burn rate enhancers (BRE).
• Experience tailoring and conducting sensitive munition testing.
• Experience procuring parts and working in a machine shop. Working knowledge of machine safety and shop safety protocols.
• Active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary range: $166,000-$220,000 USD
• Highly competitive equity grants
• Top-tier benefits for full-time employees