2027 Explosives Systems and Devices Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health care and wellness

Paid holidays, sick time, vacation

401(k) plan with matching

Flexible spending accounts

Relocation assistance

Professional growth and development

Education assistance

Inclusive work environment

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking an Explosives Systems and Devices Engineer (Sr. MT) to join the Mechanical Systems Department in El Segundo, CA.

You will evaluate explosive devices, separation and deployment systems, and support launch vehicle and spacecraft programs with technical analyses and documentation. You will contribute to tool development, collaborate with program offices and customers, and travel as needed.

Qualifications

• PhD degree from an accredited college/university (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months).
• 0-1 year of industry experience.
• Experience in explosive devices, separation and deployment systems, or related aerospace systems.
• Experience with design, integration and testing of explosive/pyrotechnic devices for launch vehicles, spacecraft, and missiles.
• Willing to travel ~10% as required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance (U.S. citizenship required).

Responsibilities

• Work with program offices and government customers to resolve technical issues and ensure project success.
• Evaluate separation and deployment systems and explosive devices for aerospace programs.
• Prepare written reports and briefings for customers and stakeholders.
• Travel to contractor sites for design reviews and firsthand testing where needed.
• Contribute to development/refinement of analysis tools and techniques.

Skills

Strong communication

Team player

Organizational skills

Adaptability

Interpersonal skills

Education

PhD in mechanical engineering / aerospace / physical science

Tools

CTH

LS-DYNA

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

The Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, and test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly-trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments.

The Mechanical Systems Department (MSD) offers a wide range of capabilities that enable and support the effective implementation of technical and programmatic mission assurance activities on space systems, launch systems, and related systems. MSD staff support all program phases beginning with pre-contract evaluations, design and development activities followed by build, test, and pedigree review, launch, initialization, and operations events. MSD is the ETG source of expertise in moving mechanical assemblies (MMAs), ordnance‑driven devices, other explosives applications and high-velocity impact analysis, separation systems and analyses, ball bearings, gears, valves, component mass properties, related technologies, and exploitation of our knowledge and tools in solving non‑traditional and emerging problems.

We are looking for an Explosives Systems and Devices Engineer (Sr. Member of Technical Staff - Aeronautical & Mechanical Engineering). The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on‑site at our facility in ElSegundo, California.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Work closely with program offices, management, and government customers to resolve technical issues and ensure project success
• Evaluate separation and deployment systems and explosive devices for launch vehicle, spacecraft, and missile programs
• Prepare written reports and provide briefings to customers and other stakeholders
• Occasionally travel to contractor sites to attend design reviews and witness hardware assembly and testing
• Participate in the development/refinement of analysis tools and techniques

Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned as needed. Training and mentorship will be provided.

What You Bring

• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Must work well in a team environment
• Possess organizational, time management and project management skills
• Demonstrate flexibility and ability to adapt to changing organizational need
• Interpersonal skills to coordinate efforts and work with other internal and external organizations

What You Need to be Successful

• PhD degree from an accredited college/university program in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, physical science or related discipline (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months)
• 0-1 year of industry experience
• Experience in explosive devices, separation and deployment systems, or other aerospace systems‑related field
• Experience with the design, integration, and testing related to explosive/pyrotechnic devices and systems typical of launch vehicles, spacecraft, and missile systems
• Willing to travel approximately 10% (as required)
• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government.
• U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

• Knowledge in physical sciences or engineering including relevant coursework (e.g., conservation laws, continuum mechanics)
• Understanding properties of energetic materials, detonation, deflagration, ignition methods, sensitivity, combustion, thermochemistry
• Understanding physics of shock and impact, ballistic penetration, dynamic behavior of materials, damage, and fracture
• Experience in the use of explicit transient hydrocode and finite element analysis tools (e.g., CTH, LS‑DYNA)
• Active TS/SCI security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government is highly preferred.
• U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Compensation & Benefits

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills. (Min - Max) $100,300.00 - $150,400.00 Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who: Operate Strategically Lead Change Engage with Impact Foster Innovation Deliver Results Ways

Benefits

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
• Flexible spending accounts
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Relocation assistance
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
• Education assistance programs
• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [e-mail] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.

Right Place The Aerospace Corporation has over 26 locations nationwide, which allows us to build a workforce that will nurture the best ideas, and generate the most novel innovations and solutions to our nation’s toughest space enterprise challenges. Right Path Aerospace covers all stages of the space lifecycle, from concept to operations. We believe our people are our most valuable resource and that’s why we propel our employees forward in their careers through ongoing education, training, and professional development. Right Purpose We can all serve a mission much greater than ourselves, and at Aerospace that is exactly what we do. By hiring the industry’s most preeminent scientists and engineers, Aerospace advances emerging technologies that protect some of the most critical missions on Earth and above it.

Aerospace employees working in organizations with technical responsibilities are required to obtain a Security Clearance. U.S. citizenship is required for those positions.