Propulsion & Control Engineer

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

Imagine this. You own the propulsion and control system responsible for steering an interceptor during the most critical seconds of its mission. As Propulsion & Control Engineer, you will take ownership of the terminal control propulsion subsystem from architecture and sizing through actuation, integration, and qualification testing, turning design assumptions into proven hardware performance. Bliksem Exo is a four-nation European consortium developing an anti-ballistic missile system at operational pace. Destinus is the programme prime and is responsible for the exo-atmospheric interceptor, designed for affordability, performance, and production at scale. 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

• 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

Who You Are

You are a hands-on engineer who wants ownership of the hardware, not just the analysis behind it. You are comfortable making decisions where performance margins are tight, challenging assumptions with data, and following a subsystem from first principles through testing. You work naturally across disciplines, communicate clearly with suppliers and engineering teams, and thrive in an environment where speed, precision, and technical excellence matter.

• BSc, MSc, or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field
• 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
• Strong understanding of propulsion physics, including thrust and flow sizing, thermal behavior, and material and durability limits in hot, high-pressure environments
• Experience with quantitative engineering, sizing, and data analysis using Python or MATLAB
• Experience with divert and attitude control systems, reaction-control systems, interceptors, or missile systems is highly valued
• Experience working across multi-company or multinational engineering programmes is an advantage