Ballistician

Firehawk; Addison (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Coverage

Flexible work schedule

On-site perks

Professional growth

Job summary

Firehawk Aerospace in Addison, TX, seeks a Ballistician to lead solid rocket motor grain geometry and nozzle design. You will work with design, thermal-structural, R&D, and manufacturing teams to translate thrust requirements into detailed, validated grain shapes using in-house scripts, ANSYS Fluent, and CFD tools.

Ideal candidates have 7+ years in internal ballistics, strong modeling and reporting skills, and a passion for propulsion innovation within a defense-forward environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Chemical Engineering with a minimum of 7 years in internal ballistics analysis of solid rocket motor systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and own the analysis and design of solid rocket motor grain geometries and nozzles.
• Communicate operating pressures and temperature/load profiles with design, thermal-structural, and manufacturing teams.
• Develop concepts from high level thrust/burn-time requirements to detailed grain and nozzle designs.

Skills

Internal ballistics

Technical communication

Teamwork

Modeling

Technical reporting

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical/Aerospace/Chemical Engineering

7+ years internal ballistics experience

Tools

ANSYS

Matlab

Python

Creo

Job description

Firehawk Aerospace is a leading propulsion-focused aerospace and defense company located in Addison, TX. Our innovative approach empowers us to design and manufacture cutting-edge solid and hybrid rocket motors and engines. We aim to push the boundaries of propulsion technology to serve both commercial and defense sectors.

Responsibilities

As a Ballistician (Solid Rocket Motor Performance Engineer), the selected candidate will lead and own the analysis and design of solid rocket motor grain geometries and nozzles across the portfolio of programs at Firehawk. The selected candidate is expected to have foundational expertise in thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics, culminating in detailed understanding of multi-physics, reacting flows for solid rocket motor combustion analysis. Candidate will be responsible for generating rocket motor concepts from high level thrust/burn time requirements, and refining into detailed grain and nozzle designs, analyzed via in-house scripts, SPP and ANSYS Fluent. The selected candidate will be responsible for working with design engineers to communicate operating pressures, thermal-structural engineers to communicate temperature and load profiles, R&D to communicate ballistic requirements, and manufacturing engineers to ensure grain geometry can be produced.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Chemical Engineering with a minimum of 7 years of experience in internal ballistics analysis of solid rocket motor systems
• Time management, organization, interpersonal skills, communication, and teamwork skills
• Ability to clearly present technical information to all organizations at all levels
• Strong understanding of internal, external, and terminal ballistics fundamental principles.
• Able to develop and maintain analytical models that predict ballistic performance under varied environmental and operational conditions.
• Able to prepare clear, detailed technical reports summarizing analytical findings, methodologies, and recommendations.
• Ability to mentor and train younger engineers on ballistics analysis.

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in Ansys (or equivalent FEA software) performing multi-physics reacting flow combustion CFD
• Master’s or PhD in aerospace, mechanical, or civil engineering with a focus on composite material systems
• Experience reducing strand burner data to determine burn rate properties of propellants
• Experience coupling the internal flow field of the rocket motor to the viscoelastic response of the propellant
• Experience deriving and determining non-chemical enhanced burn rate phenomena (i.e. ambient temperature induced, rotational acceleration induced, radiation induced, erosive induced etc.)
• Experience performing analysis on ablative nozzles
• Experience producing shock and vibe analysis on SRM.
• Experience using Matlab, Python, PTC Creo (or an equivalent CAD software)

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Benefits at Firehawk Aerospace

At Firehawk Aerospace, we are committed to supporting the well-being of our employees and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to provide peace of mind and help you thrive both personally and professionally.

• Health Coverage: We offer 100% employer-paid medical premiums for employees and up to 75% coverage for dependents under select plans, with additional options for PPO and HDHP plans. Coverage begins the first of the month following your hire date.
• Dental and Vision Plans: Affordable dental and vision plans with extensive coverage options, including preventive care, orthodontics, and allowances for contacts and frames.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Access to free, confidential services, including counseling, legal consultations, wellness coaching, and virtual concierge services to support your work-life balance.
• Flexible Work Schedule: Enjoy a 9/80 schedule option, allowing for greater flexibility and work-life balance.
• On-Site Perks: Complimentary snacks and refreshments to keep you energized throughout the day.
• Professional Growth: Mentorship opportunities with industry-leading engineers and engagement in cutting-edge projects at the forefront of aerospace innovation.

Work Environment And Physical Requirements

Employees in these positions must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer; stamina to sit and to maintain attention to detail despite interruptions; may occasionally lift/carry/push/pull up to 25 pounds; may require minimal walking, standing for extended amounts of time, climbing, crouching, and/or bending; and vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. May require the ability to travel by air or auto. May require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, safety shoes, and shop coat. These positions may be expected to work varying shifts and hours to ensure successful operation of activities in the organization.

Security Clearance

May be required to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance at the appropriate level. Requires U.S. Citizenship. Must also be able to satisfy federal government requirements for access to government information, and having dual citizenship may preclude you from being able to meet this requirement.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Firehawk Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firehawk Aerospace is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.