Propellant R&D Technician: Hands-On Motor Production

Destinus; Payerne; On-site; CHF 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Destinus is seeking a Propellant Technician to produce solid rocket motors for R&D programmes and test campaigns in a tightly regulated, safety-critical environment. You will work hands-on with propellants, document batches, and maintain a clean, compliant production area.

In this role you will cast grains, operate mixers and curing ovens, and write or improve SOPs while ensuring repeatability and safety. Fluent English is required, and knowledge of additional languages is a plus.

Qualifications

• Background in chemistry, chemical technology, or a related technical field – Chemietechnologe/in, process technician, or equivalent; Chemielaborant EFZ is a plus
• Hands-on experience in chemical or energetic materials production; experience with propellants, pyrotechnics, or explosives manufacturing is a strong advantage
• Exceptional process discipline – follows SOPs exactly, documents everything, and does not improvise in a safety-critical environment
• Experience with in-process quality control and inspection in a production or laboratory environment
• Comfortable working in a small R&D team where priorities shift and production runs vary in scale and complexity
• Fluent in English; German or French is an advantage

Responsibilities

• Produce propellant mixes, cast grains, and manufacture solid rocket motors for R&D programmes and test campaigns, following validated batch records and SOPs
• Prepare and handle energetic and chemical raw materials – weighing, mixing, and processing in strict accordance with safety protocols and operating procedures
• Operate and monitor production equipment (mixers, casting stations, curing ovens); record all process parameters accurately throughout each batch
• Complete batch documentation fully and traceably for every run: materials, lot numbers, process parameters, deviations, and personnel
• Perform in‑process quality checks and dimensional/visual inspection of finished motors; identify and elevate non‑conformances immediately
• Write, maintain, and improve SOPs for propellant and motor production operations; ensure repeatability and safety at every step
• Support post‑test teardown and failure investigation activities alongside propulsion engineers
• Maintain a clean, organized, and fully compliant production area at all times

Skills

Chemistry background

Process discipline

Documentation

Quality control

English fluency

Education

Chemistry/related technical degree

Job description

Destinus is seeking a Propellant Technician to produce solid rocket motors for R&D programmes and test campaigns in a tightly regulated, safety-critical environment. You will work hands-on with propellants, document batches, and maintain a clean, compliant production area.

In this role you will cast grains, operate mixers and curing ovens, and write or improve SOPs while ensuring repeatability and safety. Fluent English is required, and knowledge of additional languages is a plus.