Solid Propulsion Engineer

Thales Group; Herstal; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Thales Group in Herstal, Belgium, seeks a Solid Propellant Engineer to lead the development of solid rocket motors (SRM) from concept to production, addressing propellant grain, igniter, casing, and nozzle aspects.

You will collaborate with customers and cross-functional teams, perform simulations and tests, ensure safety and quality, and contribute to documentation and technical reviews.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Engineering, Aerospace, Mechanics, Physics or related field.
• Min 5 years of proven experience in solid propulsion design and pyro products in aerospace & defense industry.
• Knowledge of avionics, external & internal ballistics of propellant grain, thermal analysis, fluid dynamics, mechanical design, simulation tools (ANSYS, MATLAB, etc.), formulations and related manufacturing processes.
• Experience with design and execution of a full lifecycle product development (simulation, design, develop, test prototypes, manufacture and implement).
• Strong project management and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with cross-functional teams
• Familiarity with industry standards and regulations related to energetic and aerospace materials
• You are self-motivated and like to take initiatives.
• English (spoken and written)
• French (spoken and written) is a plus

Responsibilities

• Develop and improve rocket motor from concept to production, covering all main sub components (propellant grain, igniter, casing, nozzle, etc.)
• Work closely with customers to understand their needs and requirements, develop solution architecture and product specifications accordingly
• Work closely with ballistics simulation team to convert operational performance requirements into proper propellant grain and SRM specifications
• Specify requirements to suppliers and manage their development, production and quality control
• Conduct simulation, testing and evaluation of components, both in-house and at external test facilities
• Evaluate final product’s overall performance, reliability and safety
• Develop and maintain pyrotechnic-related documentation such FMECA, safety, reliability analysis
• Support production of in-service SRM, including resolving quality issues and developing improvements
• Participate in technical reviews: design reviews, engineering change boards and failure investigations
• Perform detailed documentation to track project development and design process
• Stay current with industry trends and technological advancements related to solid propulsion for defense applications

Skills

Project management

Problem solving

Communication

Teamwork

Independence

English

French

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Engineering, Aerospace, Mechanics, Physics or related field

Tools

ANSYS

MATLAB

Job description

Lieu : Herstal, Belgium

MISSION

Thales is a world leader in precision guided rocket system for helicopters and jet aircraft.

As a Solid Propellant Engineer at Thales, you will face a wide variety of challenges including all aspects of energetic materials, from propulsion to initiation and pyrotechnical compositions.

You will be responsible for the development, design and testing of solid rocket motors (SRM) used in defense applications, including their mechanical or electronical sides.

You will work closely with customers, system engineering, ballistics team, design office, industrial methods, production and suppliers to ensure that SRM meet performance, safety, and quality requirements.

You will be part of a multidisciplinary team and will have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies.

RESPONSABILITY

• Develop and improve rocket motor, from concept to production, covering all main sub components (propellant grain, igniter, casing, nozzle, etc.)
• Work closely with customers (internal or external) to understand their needs and requirements (performance, environmental, lifecycle, etc.), develop solution architecture and product specifications accordingly
• Work closely with ballistics simulation team in order to convert operational performance requirements into proper propellant grain and overall SRM specifications.
• Specify requirements to suppliers and manage their development, production and quality control
• Conduct simulation, testing and evaluation of components, both in-house and at external test facilities
• Evaluate final product’s overall performance, reliability and safety
• Develop and maintain pyrotechnic-related documentation such FMECA, safety, reliability analysis
• Support production of in-service SRM, including resolving quality issues and developing improvements
• Participate in technical reviews: design reviews, engineering change boards and failure investigations
• Perform detailed documentation to track project development and design process
• Stay current with industry trends and technological advancements related to solid propulsion for defense applications

PROFILE

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Engineering, Aerospace, Mechanics, Physics or related field
• Min 5 years of proven experience in solid propulsion design and pyro products in aerospace & defense industry
• Knowledge of avionics, external & internal ballistics of propellant grain, thermal analysis, fluid dynamics, mechanical design, simulation tools (ANSYS, MATLAB, etc.), formulations and related manufacturing processes
• Experience with design and execution of a full lifecycle product development (simulation, design, develop, test prototypes, manufacture and implement)
• Strong project management and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with cross-functional teams
• Familiarity with industry standards and regulations related to energetic and aerospace materials
• You are self-motivated and like to take initiatives.
• English (spoken and written)
• French (spoken and written) is a plus