Propellant Chemist

Destinus; Payerne; On-site; CHF 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

The Thrill of the Future

Global Innovation Hub

Fast-Paced & High-Growth

Real Impact

Job summary

Destinus is seeking a Propellant Engineer to lead formulation, development, and characterization of solid rocket propellants and thermal protection materials for high-performance rocket motors.

You will collaborate with propulsion, structures, and manufacturing teams, own test strategies, document procedures, and drive material innovations to ensure safe, reliable flight-ready propulsion materials.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of solid rocket propellant development or related polymer/composite materials experience.
• Fluency in English; German is a plus.
• Experience with propellant formulation, mixing, casting, and curing processes.
• Strong documentation discipline and safety-conscious approach.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize solid rocket propellant formulations, balancing performance, mechanical properties, stability, and manufacturability.
• Lead laboratory-scale mixing, casting, curing, and post-processing activities with safety and quality in mind.
• Define and implement characterization methodologies for propellant materials (mechanical, thermal, rheological, ballistic, ablation, aging).
• Establish and document standard test procedures, acceptance criteria, and data analysis methods for propellant and TPS materials development and qualification.

Skills

Propellant formulation

Laboratory testing

Documentation discipline

Safety in lab

Hands-on lab work

Polymer/composite materials

Education

BSc. or MSc. in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Aerospace Engineering, or related

Job description

Imagine being at the core of propulsion innovation, shaping the very materials that power our high performance rocket systems. As a Propellant Engineer at Destinus, you will lead the formulation, development, and characterization of solid rocket propellants and thermal protection materials for high-performance rocket motor applications. This role is strongly hands-on and combines materials science, process development, and analytical rigor to deliver reliable, high-quality propulsion materials.

At Destinus, we are revolutionizing the defense industry with cutting-edge Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Our innovative technologies are designed to meet the unique demands of modern defense operations, delivering unparalleled speed, precision, and cost effectiveness. Destinus partners with government agencies and defense organizations worldwide to provide advanced solutions for mission-critical operations, enabling a new era of efficiency and technological superiority. Join us in shaping the future of defense with groundbreaking aerospace innovations.

What You´ll Do

• Develop and optimize solid rocket propellant formulations, balancing performance, mechanical properties, stability, and manufacturability
• Lead laboratory-scale mixing, casting, curing, and post-processing activities in accordance with defined safety and quality standards
• Define and implement characterization methodologies for propellant materials, including mechanical, thermal, rheological, ballistic, ablation and aging evaluations
• Establish and document standard test procedures, acceptance criteria, and data analysis methods for propellant & TPS materials development and qualification
• Support the definition of process parameters and quality control for propellant and TPS manufacturing, including mixing, degassing, casting, curing, and storage
• Analyse formulation trade-offs and drive improvements in performance, robustness, and reproducibility
• Support rocket motor development programs by correlating material properties to motor performance and structural behaviour and thermal environments
• Lead or support investigation of material anomalies, aging effects, or performance deviations, driving root cause analysis and corrective actions
• Prepare and maintain detailed technical documentation, including formulation records, process specifications, characterization reports, and development plans
• Collaborate closely with propulsion, structures, manufacturing, and test teams to ensure seamless integration of propellant materials into motor designs
• Contribute to long-term technology development roadmaps for advanced propellant systems

About the role

Imagine being at the core of propulsion innovation, shaping the very materials that power our high performance rocket systems. As a Propellant Engineer at Destinus, you will lead the formulation, development, and characterization of solid rocket propellants and thermal protection materials for high-performance rocket motor applications. This role is strongly hands-on and combines materials science, process development, and analytical rigor to deliver reliable, high-quality propulsion materials.

At Destinus, we are revolutionizing the defense industry with cutting-edge Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Our innovative technologies are designed to meet the unique demands of modern defense operations, delivering unparalleled speed, precision, and cost effectiveness. Destinus partners with government agencies and defense organizations worldwide to provide advanced solutions for mission-critical operations, enabling a new era of efficiency and technological superiority. Join us in shaping the future of defense with groundbreaking aerospace innovations.

What You'll Need

• BSc. or MSc. in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline
• 5+ years of experience in solid rocket propellant development or closely related polymer/composite material systems
• Experience with propellant formulation, mixing, casting, and curing processes
• Strong understanding of polymer-bonded systems, composite materials, and viscoelastic behaviour
• Experience defining and conducting material characterization programs, including mechanical, thermal, and aging testing
• Familiarity with establishing standard operating procedures and structured development processes
• Analytical mindset with the ability to translate material data into engineering decisions
• Strong documentation discipline and ability to work in a safety-critical environment
• Ability to work hands-on in laboratory and pilot-scale environments
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams
• Fluency in English required; German is a plus

Who You Are

You are a propulsion minded materials expert who feels at home in the lab and on the production floor. You understand polymer bonded propellants not just in theory but in practice, from formulation strategy to mixing, casting, curing, and final characterization. You are comfortable defining the technical path forward while also building the processes, documentation, and qualification methods that make materials flight ready and repeatable.

Benefits

• The Thrill of the Future - Work on cutting-edge projects that redefine aerospace.
• Global Innovation Hub - Collaborate with top engineers from all over the world.
• Fast-Paced & High-Growth - Experience the rush of working in a rapidly expanding company.
• Real Impact - Your work won't be theoretical—it will shape the future of flight.

Destinus is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity in our companies and our teams and do not discriminate based on age, race, religion, color, country of origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability status.

Destinus - Challenge the limits of time, space, and human potential.