Lead Propulsion & Control Engineer – Interceptor Systems

Destinus; Katwijk; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Destinus is seeking a senior Propulsion & Control Engineer to own the terminal propulsion subsystem for an advanced interceptor. You will drive architecture, sizing, actuation, and integration, leading testing and data validation to ensure performance meets stringent vehicle requirements.

Ideal candidates bring 10+ years in rocket or missile propulsion with hands-on hardware ownership, plus experience with fast-actuation systems and multi-disciplinary collaboration across multinational teams.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in rocket, spacecraft, missile propulsion, or a closely related field, with hands-on ownership of propulsion or reaction-control hardware through design, build, and test.
• Direct experience with fast-response actuation systems such as valves, thrusters, or equivalent technologies and precise control of thrust or flow.
• Strong hands-on testing experience, including designing, running, and interpreting propulsion or actuation test campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Own the terminal control propulsion subsystem end to end, including architecture, performance sizing, actuation, and thermal and structural integration.
• Specify and develop fast-response actuation systems capable of meeting demanding response, thrust, and precision requirements.
• Turn estimated performance into measured results through hardware testing and feed validated data back into the vehicle design.
• Own technical relationships with propulsion and actuation suppliers, defining specifications, critically evaluating designs, and ensuring hardware meets vehicle requirements.
• Plan and execute bench, environmental, and qualification test campaigns, including test rigs, instrumentation, data analysis, and verification against requirements.
• Work closely with GNC, mechanical, systems, and other engineering teams to ensure the subsystem performs as part of the complete interceptor.

Skills

Aerospace Engineering

Propulsion Systems

Actuation Systems

Hardware Testing

Python

MATLAB

Data Analysis

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

BSc/MSc/PhD in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Destinus is seeking a senior Propulsion & Control Engineer to own the terminal propulsion subsystem for an advanced interceptor. You will drive architecture, sizing, actuation, and integration, leading testing and data validation to ensure performance meets stringent vehicle requirements.

Ideal candidates bring 10+ years in rocket or missile propulsion with hands-on hardware ownership, plus experience with fast-actuation systems and multi-disciplinary collaboration across multinational teams.