Ejection Seat Rocket Engineer

Nammo Defense Systems, Inc Career Center; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4/10 workweek (Mon-Thu)

PTO & Holidays

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

401(k) & HSA & EAP

Job summary

Nammo Defense Systems, Inc. in Mesa, AZ, is seeking an entry-level CAD/PAD Engineer to own design, analysis, integration, and test activities for propellant actuated devices and composite rocket motors.

You'll work under the CAD/PAD Chief Engineer, supporting program tasks and developing technical documentation for internal and external customers. You will gain experience in design, analysis, test, manufacturing, and production while delivering detailed drawings, analysis reports, and test

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical Engineering or Physics.
• Industry experience in aerospace/defense is preferred.
• Ability to gain ATF clearance to work with our products.

Responsibilities

• Execute day-to-day program activities under engineering oversight.
• Take technical direction from the CAD/PAD Chief Engineer.
• Communicate with internal and external customers.
• Conduct assembly and component analysis (structural, internal ballistics, thermal) to support design.
• Support bid & proposal preparation including scope of work, technical volume, schedules & budgets.
• Support creation of detailed IRAD plans and continuous improvement projects.
• Interface with cross‑functional program team members to resolve technical and production issues.
• Participate in Change Review Board meetings and present TDP process changes.
• Participate in Phase Gate Review meetings for development programs.
• Support failure investigations applying rigorous engineering methods.

Skills

Solid modeling

Finite element analysis

GD&T

Cross-functional teamwork

Technical communication

Education

BS in Mechanical/Aerospace/Chemical Engineering or Physics

MS in Mechanical/Aerospace/Chemical Engineering or Physics (optional)

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Nammo Defense Systems, Inc., a defense contractor, is the primary USA operation of the Nammo Group (Nammo AS). Nammo Defense Systems Inc. (NDS) develops, manufactures, and supports Shoulder Launched Munitions (SLMs), energetic material solutions such as aircraft emergency escape systems, actuation devices, rocket motors, warheads, and composite solutions including carbon fiber tubes and composite aerospace structures.

Role purpose

We are seeking an Engineering professional to apply engineering knowledge to take ownership of engineering design, analysis, integration, and test of propellant actuated devices & composite propellant rocket motors to fill the Cartridge Actuate Device / Propellant Actuated Device (CAD/PAD) Project Engineer entry level position.

Role overview

The CAD/PAD Engineer will be responsible for supporting CAD/PAD programs at the NDS Mesa facility. The CAD/PAD Engineer position will report to the CAD/PAD Chief Engineer and support a cross-functional Program Team. The CAD/PAD Engineer will support the execution of program tasking with guidance from senior engineers with expectations set by the CAD/PAD Chief Engineer. A qualified candidate must be able to provide technical support to the program team.

The candidate will have the aptitude to grow in the aerospace/defense industry in developing & utilizing skills in the areas of design, analysis, test, manufacturing, and production. The CAD/PAD Engineer will provide support creating and presenting technical information to internal and external customer(s). The CAD/PAD Engineer will be responsible for executing day-to-day activities of the program and will use technical discipline and rigorous standards set by the CAD/PAD Chief Engineer. This will include creating documentation of detailed drawings, analysis reports, test plans, test reports, statements or work, failure analysis fault trees and cause maps, program plans, and internal research & development plans with guidance from senior engineers as applicable.

How you will be rewarded as our Ejection Seat Rocket Engineer:

• Competitive compensation
• Monday-Thursday work week working four 10-hour days (off on Fridays)
• Generous paid time off and Holiday Pay
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 401(K), employee assistance programs, health savings account

Key responsibilities

• Execute day-to-day program activities with engineering oversight
• Take technical direction from the CAD/PAD Chief Engineer
• Communicate with internal and external customer(s)
• Conduct assembly and component analysis (structural, internal ballistics, & thermal) to support design
• Support bid & proposal preparation including: scope of work, technical volume, schedules & budgets
• Support creation of detailed IRAD plans and support continuous improvement projects
• Interface with cross functional program team members to resolve technical and production issues
• Participate in Change Review Board meetings by preparing & presenting TDP process changes
• Participate in Phase Gate Review meets for development programs
• Support failure investigations applying technical rigor & discipline to logically identify cause(s)
• Support cross functional team activities ensuring production technical issues are resolved

Key stakeholders

• Internal: Chief engineer, Director of Engineering, VP of Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement, Program Management, Proposals and Contracts Management, Executive Leadership Team, Project Engineering
• External: Customers (USG and Commercial), Suppliers

Level of decision making and governance

Project Engineers are empowered and expected to be authorities on Proposals, Discrepancy Records, Change Proposals, Drawing Creation and Revision, Work Instructions, Requests for Variances, Test Plans, Test Procedures, Test Reports, and Analysis Reports. Escalation to Chief Engineer is appropriate and necessary when Project Engineering authority limits are reached. Chief engineer reserves ultimate authority.

Key success criteria

• Applies first‑principles engineering to make sound, physics‑based technical decisions.
• Works effectively with cross‑functional teams to resolve issues and keep programs moving.
• Delivers accurate, complete engineering documentation with minimal need for revision.
• Manages daily responsibilities reliably, escalating when limits or risks are reached.
• Identifies root causes and develops practical, well‑reasoned solutions to technical problems.
• Maintains strong organization and attention to detail to ensure engineering work is accurate, traceable, and easy for the team to follow.

Capabilities and behaviors

The CAD/PAD Project Engineer applies fundamental engineering principles to every aspect of design, analysis, and testing. They rely on first principles thinking to understand root causes, evaluate trade offs, and ensure technical decisions are grounded in physics based reasoning rather than assumptions. Whether analyzing structural loads, thermal environments, or internal ballistics, they use core engineering concepts to build accurate models, validate results, and document findings with clarity and rigor. Their discipline in applying these fundamentals ensures that design solutions are robust, reproducible, and aligned with the stringent technical standards required for CAD/PAD Critical Safety systems. The CAD/PAD Project Engineer brings strong collaborative and communication skills, actively engaging with cross functional team members to solve problems and support program execution. They are self motivated, eager to learn, and able to operate with limited supervision while maintaining a positive and solutions oriented mindset. With a high level of emotional intelligence, they navigate technical discussions and team dynamics professionally, contributing constructively to challenges and demonstrating resilience and adaptability in a fast paced engineering environment. Above all, they approach each task as an opportunity to apply thoughtful, structured problem solving to drive successful outcomes for the program and the team.

Required Experience and Skills

• BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or similar technical field
• Seeking any number of years of industry experience, Aerospace/Defense industry experience preferred
• Ability to integrate into and support cross-functional NDS Mesa Team activities
• Knowledge of closed form and finite element analysis
• Knowledge of solid modeling, detail drawing creation, and GD&T principles and practices
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Consistent work ethic with bias for team collaboration
• Ability to gain ATF clearance to work with our products

Living our values

• Dedication: The CAD/PAD Project Engineer demonstrates dedication by consistently following through on engineering tasks to completion, proactively communicating status, and ensuring that daily work aligns with program priorities and commitments.
• Precision: The CAD/PAD Project Engineer practices precision by rigorously applying engineering standards, validating all calculations and drawings before release, and maintaining disciplined attention to detail in analyses, documentation, and change processes.
• Care: The CAD/PAD Project Engineer shows care by actively supporting team members, anticipating potential risks to product safety or quality, and making thoughtful decisions that uphold the integrity of the design, the production process, and customer trust.

Note: Due to US Export Control laws and regulations; applicants selected for employment must show proof of a U.S. Person status before employment may begin.