Senior Propulsion Engineer - Solid Rocket Motor Development
$130,000–$180,000 year
On-siteEl Segundo, California, United States
Job Summary
Lead the design, development, and testing of advanced propulsion systems for high-performance aerospace applications, including solid rocket motors and gas generators. Perform combustion, internal ballistics, and thermal analyses to optimize system performance while developing propellant grain geometries and thrust profiles. Design high-pressure hardware components and analyze structural performance under extreme loading conditions. Develop test articles, fixtures, and instrumentation to plan and execute static fire tests and qualification campaigns. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate propulsion systems and support ignition and safety development. Maintain safe operating procedures when working with energetic materials.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline
- Demonstrated experience designing propulsion, combustion, or high-pressure fluid systems
- Hands-on experience developing propulsion hardware from concept through testing
- Experience with solid rocket motors, propulsion test stands, ignition systems, pressure vessels, or related aerospace hardware
- Strong understanding of combustion, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, structural mechanics, and internal flow behavior
- Experience designing propulsion systems for aerospace, missile, launch vehicle, or other high-performance platforms
- Ability to work hands-on through design, fabrication, testing, troubleshooting, and iteration
- U.S. Person or Lawful Permanent Resident status
Desired Qualifications
- Experience designing solid propellant grain geometries and internal ballistics
- Familiarity with solid propellant formulations, insulation materials, and nozzle thermal protection
- Experience working with propulsion analysis tools such as NASA CEA, CFD, FEA, MATLAB, Python, ANSYS, OpenFOAM, COMSOL, or similar software
- Knowledge of propulsion instrumentation including pressure transducers, thermocouples, strain gauges, high-speed cameras, and data acquisition systems
- Experience with MIL-STD environmental or qualification testing
- Hands-on experience with machining, pressure plumbing, fixture design, or propulsion hardware assembly
- Familiarity with energetic materials, ignition systems, or pyrotechnic hardware
Hiring someone like this?
Get your role in front of qualified candidates on Sorce.