Principal Propulsion Engineer, Air Vehicles (Solid Rocket Motor Integration)

Anduril; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 253,000 - 336,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Competitive salary

Job summary

Anduril is seeking a Principal Engineer to lead the integration of Solid Rocket Motors and propulsion systems for defense applications. The ideal candidate will have over 15 years of propulsion engineering experience, particularly with tactical missiles or launch vehicles, and will oversee the full development lifecycle.

This role offers a competitive salary ranging from $253,000 to $336,000 USD and a comprehensive benefits package. Candidates must be eligible for a U.S. Secret security clearance.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of propulsion engineering experience on tactical missiles, launch vehicles, or air vehicles.
• Mastery of rocket internal ballistics and performance modeling.
• Eligible for U.S. Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a lead in the selection and integration of Solid Rocket Motors.
• Design and test prototype components for missile platforms.
• Coordinate vendor relationships and manage development projects.

Skills

Propulsion engineering

Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs)

Performance modeling

Rocket internal ballistics

Strategic supplier management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering

Tools

NX / Teamcenter

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI‑powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting‑edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Air Dominance & Strike Propulsion Integration team is responsible for designing and integrating advanced hardware for Group 5 air vehicles and across missile platforms. Air Dominance & Strike Propulsion Engineers own the full development lifecycle, from concept generation, to integration and flight test, ensuring high‑performance, resilient, and scalable mechanical systems that meet the demands of complex, contested environments.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Serve as a lead or key contributor in the selection, architecting, and integration of Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs), ignition systems, Thrust Vector Control (TVC) systems, and associated ordnance on missile platforms and air vehicles.
• Design, fabricate, and test prototype components, structural interfaces, and thrust vectoring or ignition control systems.
• Plan, instrument, and execute ground static fire, environmental, and integration tests of solid rocket propulsion systems.
• Coordinate with SRM vendors, develop strategic partnerships, and manage development projects.
• Lead or support critical hardware demonstrations with customers as needed.
• Critical member of team supporting CAD design for structural integration, motor cases, nozzles, blast tubes, and aerodynamic / structural interfaces.
• Travel to vendor sites, test sites and test ranges as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS (IC6- Principal)

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering.
• 15+ years of propulsion engineering experience on tactical missiles, launch vehicles, or air vehicles.
• Professional experience with Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs) for defense or aerospace applications.
• Mastery of rocket internal ballistics, performance modeling, and grain design; ability to influence SRM OEM design decisions to match vehicle requirements.
• Served as the Chief Engineer or ultimate technical authority on a major solid rocket propulsion program, defining technology roadmaps and architectural baselines.
• Experience identifying and selecting strategic SRM suppliers, managing critical OEM relationships, and establishing qualified supply chains.
• Experience defining comprehensive propulsion test programs (including static fire testing, environmental qualification, hazards classification, acceptance, flight‑test readiness) and troubleshooting system‑level anomalies.
• Experience advising executive leadership on technical risks, representing the company to key customers / government agencies, and mentoring mid‑to‑senior level engineers.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in NX / Teamcenter, Python, MATLAB.
• Hands‑on experience with solid rocket motor testing, including static fire test practices, instrumentation, and data processing.
• Previous work experience at a Solid Rocket Motor OEM or supplier, with a deep understanding of propellant formulation, grain geometries, and nozzle performance trade‑offs.
• Knowledge and experience working with Thrust Vector Control (TVC) systems, Ignition Safety Devices (ISD / ESAD), ordnance systems, telemetry / flight termination systems, burn rate enhancers (BRE).
• Experience tailoring and conducting sensitive munition testing.
• Experience procuring parts and working in a machine shop. Working knowledge of machine safety and shop safety protocols.
• Active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.

Benefits

At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you’re supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, explore our benefits page.

Salary Range

$253,000 - $336,000 USD.