Principal Propulsion Test Engineer

voyagertechnologiesinc; Pueblo (CO); On-site; USD 128,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Voyager Technologies in Pueblo, CO seeks a Principal Propulsion Test Engineer to lead propulsion test teams, own test strategy, and drive safety governance across major motor programs. You will collaborate with government and customer teams in a fast-paced, mission-focused environment on-site in Pueblo.

The role requires a strong technical lead background in propulsion/test engineering, experience with multiple motor classes, and the ability to manage resources within cost and schedule

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering with 10 years of progressive rocket motor static fire test experience OR Master’s degree with 8 years OR 14 years of experience in lieu of a degree.
• Prior technical lead, team lead, or supervisory role in a propulsion or test engineering environment.
• Breadth of experience across at least two motor classes (solid, liquid, hybrid, or gas generator).
• Demonstrated ability to manage test resources against program schedule and cost constraints.
• Familiarity with DoD acquisition standards, range safety regulations, and Acceptance Test Requirements (ATR) processes.
• Ability to hold and maintain an active DoD Secret security clearance; TS/SCI eligibility preferred.
• 10 years of experience leading projects or programs of increasing scope and responsibility.
• 3 years of experience leading high-performing engineering teams of 3 or more.

Responsibilities

• Direct a team of 3-8 propulsion test engineers across one or more active motor programs, managing workload, development, and technical quality.
• Own the overall test strategy, resource allocation, and schedule for key program milestones and qualification events.
• Represent test engineering in integrated product teams, program reviews, and customer or government authority briefings.
• Establish, review, and continuously improve facility test procedures, data standards, and safety governance frameworks.
• Lead multi-discipline investigations for anomalous test events, driving timely and technically rigorous findings.
• Contribute to test facility capability roadmaps and capital investment planning for new motor classes or enhanced instrumentation.
• Support proposal development and business development activities with technical content and level-of-effort estimates.
• Serve as the approving authority for test procedures, safety packages, and post-test technical reports.

Skills

Technical leadership

Propulsion test

Safety governance

Program management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Chemical Engineering

Master’s degree in same fields (preferred)

Tools

ATR processes

DoD acquisition standards

Job description

Voyager is an innovative defense, national security and space technology company committed to advancing and delivering transformative, mission-critical solutions. We tackle the most complex challenges to unlock new frontiers for human progress, fortify national security, and protect critical assets to lead in the race for technological and operational superiority from ground to space.

Forge the Future: Join Voyager Technologies

The future belongs to those who build it. At Voyager Technologies, we're building technologies that protect lives, expand frontiers and prepare us for what's next. And we're doing that with people who are wired to solve, build, adapt and lead. These roles are not for the faint of heart.

You’ll help lay the foundation for humanity's future. Join a culture where innovation thrives, curiosity is rewarded, and impact is real. We're a company of doers, thinkers and builders, united by purpose and grounded in reality.

If you want to put your skills to work where the stakes are real and the mission is bigger than any one person, forge the future with Voyager.

The Principal Propulsion Test Engineer for Propulsion Systems is responsible for leading multi-engineer test teams, owning the technical direction of major motor programs or test facility operations, and driving organization-wide improvements to test strategy, process, and safety governance.

The position reports to the Director of Propulsion Test & Evaluation and is part of Propulsion Test & Evaluation. This role is onsite based in Pueblo, Colorado.

In this role, the essential functions are:

• Direct a team of 3-8 propulsion test engineers across one or more active motor programs, managing workload, development, and technical quality.
• Own the overall test strategy, resource allocation, and schedule for key program milestones and qualification events.
• Represent test engineering in integrated product teams, program reviews, and customer or government authority briefings.
• Establish, review, and continuously improve facility test procedures, data standards, and safety governance frameworks.
• Lead multi-discipline investigations for anomalous test events, driving timely and technically rigorous findings.
• Contribute to test facility capability roadmaps and capital investment planning for new motor classes or enhanced instrumentation.
• Support proposal development and business development activities with technical content and level-of-effort estimates.
• Serve as the approving authority for test procedures, safety packages, and post-test technical reports.

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering with 10 years of progressive rocket motor static fire test experience OR Master’s degree with 8 years OR 14 years of experience in lieu of a degree.
• Prior technical lead, team lead, or supervisory role in a propulsion or test engineering environment.
• Breadth of experience across at least two motor classes (solid, liquid, hybrid, or gas generator).
• Demonstrated ability to manage test resources against program schedule and cost constraints.
• Familiarity with DoD acquisition standards, range safety regulations, and Acceptance Test Requirements (ATR) processes.
• Ability to hold and maintain an active DoD Secret security clearance; TS/SCI eligibility preferred.
• 10 years of experience leading projects or programs of increasing scope and responsibility.
• 3 years of experience leading high-performing engineering teams of 3 or more.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering.
• Experience with DoD program milestone reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR) and formal qualification test planning.

Travel, Physical and/or Government Mandated Requirements:

• Primarily office and test facility environment; periodic travel to customer sites or partner facilities up to 15%.
• Ability to lift, move, or carry items or equipment up to 25 pounds.

This position requires access to information protected under U.S. export control laws and regulations, including ITAR. Applicants must be U.S. persons or eligible to obtain the required export authorization.

The good faith base salary range for this role is $128,000-$160,000 at the time of this posting. Where you fall within the range depends on your experience, skills, and location. This range reflects base salary only and does not include benefits or bonus/incentive. This range may be adjusted in the future.

Voyager offers a highly competitive total compensation package designed to support the well-being, growth, and success of our employees. Employees benefit from a flexible and comprehensive rewards program that supports both professional and personal well-being.

Unlimited Flexible Time Off (FTO), empowering empl