Propulsion Engineer (Solid Rocket Motor Ballistics)

Castelion Corporation; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous benefits package

Job summary

Castelion is seeking a solid rocket motor ballistician to own performance predictions of our motors. You will drive technically sound designs that meet aggressive schedule, affordability, and production goals, while mentoring junior engineers.

In this fast-paced role, you will work with structures, thermal, GNC, and manufacturing teams to ensure propulsion systems integrate with the vehicle and testing campaigns provide critical data for flight readiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• 2+ years of rocket propulsion design, analysis, and testing in aerospace/defense.
• Strong background in solid rocket motor design: internal ballistics, grain, ignitors, nozzle performance.
• Experience with propulsion testing: static fire setup, instrumentation, data analysis.
• Familiarity with high-temperature, high-pressure structural/thermal design.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop rocket motor systems (grain geometry, case, insulation, nozzle).
• Lead propulsion hardware architecture to meet performance and thermal requirements.
• Perform internal ballistics, thermal, and structural analyses for reliability.
• Coordinate with structures, thermal, GNC, and manufacturing teams for integration.
• Plan and execute static fire tests and test campaigns, collect data and analyze results.
• Mentor junior engineers and drive design improvements and risk reduction.

Skills

Propulsion design

Internal ballistics

Thermal analysis

MATLAB

Lab testing

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

SPP

Job description

Why Castelion, Why Now

Castelion is moving incredibly fast to develop and deliver advanced defense systems at a time when execution matters more than ever. We believe focus, ownership, and excellence are decisive advantages - and we're building a world-class team to turn bold ideas into real capability.

This is a rare opportunity to join at an early stage, where you'll have significant ownership, collaborate with exceptional teammates, and make a direct, measurable impact on our mission and the future of the company - regardless of your function.

We are seeking a solid rocket motor ballistician to own the performance predictions of our motors. This position is central to our ability to deliver at speed and scale, with a strong emphasis on driving technically sound designs that meet aggressive schedule, affordability, and production goals.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop rocket motor systems, including grain geometry, case structures, insulation, and nozzle assemblies.
• Lead the architecture and detailed design of propulsion hardware to meet performance, structural, and thermal requirements
• Perform internal ballistics, thermal, and structural analyses to ensure motor performance and reliability under extreme operating conditions
• Advance the internal Castelion capabilities for analysis predictions and correlation to tests for solid rocket motor propellant as well as ignition systems (BKNO3)
• Work closely with structures, thermal, GNC, and manufacturing teams to ensure seamless integration of propulsion systems with the vehicle
• Support propellant selection, processing, and characterization in collaboration with materials and manufacturing teams
• Plan and execute static fire tests and development test campaigns, including instrumentation, data collection, and post-test analysis
• Conduct failure analysis and root cause investigations, driving design improvements and risk reduction
• Define and execute qualification and flight test plans, translating results into system-level improvements
• Optimize designs for performance, mass, manufacturability, and operational reliability
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to best practices in propulsion system design and testing
• Partner closely with program leadership to make technical trades aligned with mission success

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• 2+ years of experience in rocket propulsion design, analysis, and testing for aerospace or defense applications
• Strong background in solid rocket motor design, including internal ballistics, grain design, ignitors, and nozzle performance
• Experience with propulsion testing, including static fire test setup, instrumentation, and data analysis
• Familiarity with structural and thermal design considerations for high-temperature, high-pressure systems
• Proficiency in analysis and modeling tools (e.g., MATLAB, SPP, or equivalent)
• Experience with hardware build, integration, and troubleshooting in a lab or test environment
• Strong problem-solving mindset, thriving in a fast-paced, hardware-rich, high test cadence environment

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with preliminary / conceptual design from performance requirements for solid rocket motor grains
• Experience with pyrotechnic and pyrogenic ignition systems and characterizing ignitor performance.
• Experience with grain and nozzle optimization for tactical SRM systems.
• Experience correlating analytical models with physical test data.
• Aerospace, hypersonic, launch vehicle, spacecraft, or other high-performance flight hardware experience.
• Experience establishing engineering standards or methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop engineers technically.
• Experience working with composites, coatings, finishes, and advanced manufacturing processes.

Additional Requirements

• Willing and able to work extended hours and/or weekends with minimal notification to meet critical deadlines leading up to major milestones.
• Able to travel up to 30% on an ongoing basis

Castelion offers a generous benefits package. Please refer to the bottom of our Careers page for more details.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Additional Eligibility Requirements

This position may require access to classified information or restricted U.S. Government sites, systems, or information, as determined by the Company and/or applicable U.S. Government requirements. If the position is so designated, your employment in the role may be contingent upon your ability to obtain and maintain the required U.S. Government security clearance or other government authorization, and to satisfy any citizenship or other eligibility requirements imposed by applicable law, regulation, executive order, or government contract requirements. You will be notified if and when such requirements apply.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement

Castelion is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Castelion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, participate in the interview process, or otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact [e-mail]. Requests for accommodation will be considered on an individual basis and handled in accordance with applicable law.

Castelion is committed to fostering a workplace where employment decisions are based on qualifications, business needs, and the ability to perform the essential functions of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation.

This position requires access to export-controlled information, and as such, employment (or hiring of a contractor) is contingent upon the candidate’s ability to access all applicable export-controlled information without additional export licensing being required by the Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.