Research Engineer Prin - E6

Lockheed Martin; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 183,000 - 339,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k) match

Paid time off

Holidays

Parental Leave

Flexible work arrangements

Life Insurance

Disability benefits

Job summary

Lockheed Martin in Orlando, FL seeks a Propellant Chemist to own end‑to‑end creation of new propellant chemistries for SRM PC, partnering with ballistics, energetics, and production teams to deliver reliable, manufacturable hardware.

The role requires leading teams, presenting at reviews, and driving risk‑mitigation studies. This is a on‑site position in Orlando with US citizenship and security clearance considerations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering (or equivalent) with extensive experience in solid rocket motor propellants.
• Strong understanding of SRM propellants and material characterization.
• Experience leading Integrated Product Teams (IPT) and cross‑functional projects.
• Experience in propulsion programmatic planning, risk management, and scheduling.
• Familiarity with MES, work-instruction management, and change control documentation.
• Ability to read technical data sheets and drawings.
• Proven ability to lead multi‑functional teams.
• Experience with QA processes and nonconformance handling.
• Willingness to collaborate with suppliers and contractors.
• Ability to obtain government clearance (US Citizen) and willingness to travel >50%.

Responsibilities

• Define and refine new propellant formulations.
• Collaborate with ballistics for performance predictions and validation.
• Coordinate with Troy Energetics Lab on test plans for material characterization.
• Lead and mentor other chemists in SRM PC.
• Present status at internal briefings and customer reviews.
• Coordinate interface with production to guide propellant production procedures.
• Conduct trade studies, risk assessments, and root-cause analyses.

Skills

Propellant chemistry

Team leadership

Design of experiments

IPT leadership

Risk management

Statistical process control

Technical writing

Security clearance readiness

Education

B.S. or M.S. in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering

Job description

Standard Job Description

You will be the Propellant Chemist for the Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) Product Center (PC) team working new development programs. Our team is developing the full technical data package for several new solid rocket motors including the motors design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing that will power today’s most demanding aerospace missions.

Standard Job Description

You will be the Propellant Chemist for the Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) Product Center (PC) team working new development programs. Our team is developing the full technical data package for several new solid rocket motors including the motors design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing that will power today’s most demanding aerospace missions.

What You Will Be Doing

As the Propellant Chemist you will own the end‑to‑end creation of new propellant chemistries, working cross‑functionally with ballistics, energetics, and production partners to turn performance requirements into reliable, manufacturable hardware.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Define and refine new propellant formulations.


• Collaborate with the ballistics team for performance predictions and validate them against system level requirements.


• Collaborate with the Troy Energetics Lab to develop, review, and execute comprehensive test plans for material characterization.


• Lead and mentor other chemist within the SRM PC.


• Present status updates at internal briefings and formal customer program reviews.


• Coordinate and lead interface development with production manufacturers to guide, scale and oversee partner's propellant production procedures.


• Perform and lead trade studies, risk assessments, and failure mode analyses to mitigate technical risk.

Why Join Us

Do you want to be part of a company culture that empowers employees to think big, lead with a growth mindset, and make the impossible a reality? We provide the resources and give you the flexibility to enable inspiration and focus. If you have the passion and courage to dream big, work hard, and have fun doing what you love then we want to build a better tomorrow with you.

We offer flexible work schedules to comprehensive benefits investing in your future and security. Learn more about Lockheed Martin’s comprehensive benefits package here.

Further Information About This Opportunity

This position is in Orlando, FL. Discover more about our Orlando, Florida location.

MUST BE A U.S. CITIZEN - This position is located at a facility that requires special access. The selected candidate must be able to obtain a secret clearance.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Chemisty or Chemical Engineering (or equivalent accredited degree program) with at least 12 years of experience in the field of solid rocket motor propellants


• Individual must be well versed in Solid Rocket Motor propellants and characterization of materials


• Experience leading Integrated Product Team (IPT) with minimal guidance or oversight on daily activities


• Experience in overseeing propulsion programmatic and technical planning/execution, program risk management, and program scheduling


• Competence in manufacturing execution systems, work-instruction management, and change control documentation


• Ability to read and understand technical data sheets and drawings


• Ability to collaborate and lead with multi-functional teams - Full Lifecycle Development Experience


• Demonstrated ability to manage complex technical systems/programs


• Familiarity with statistical process controls, design of experiments (DOE), root-cause analysis techniques


• Knowledge of nondestructive evaluation methods (radiographic inspection, ultrasonic, etc.)


• Strong communication skills (both oral and written)


• Ability to mentor and grow new talent in the propellant chemistry field


• Collaborative mindset for working with suppliers and contractors


• Ability to obtain government issued Security Clearance Desired Skills


• Candidate is expected to spend greater than 50% of time on travel

Desired Skills

• Proposal Development Experience; Basis of Estimate (BOE) Development


• Technical team leadership experience


• Experience with design, build and full rate production of propulsion systems


• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Chemisty or Chemical Engineering (or equivalent accredited degree program) with at least 15 years of experience in the field of solid rocket motor propellants

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $182500.00 - $338900.00

At Lockheed Martin, we know mission success starts with taking care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to attract top talent, support your well-being, and help you grow—both professionally and personally.

The salary range for this position is as listed on the requisition. Please note that the salary information listed is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market(work location) and business considerations when extending an offer.

Benefits offered:

Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10), 401(k) match, Paid time off, Holidays, Parental Leave, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts, Education Assistance, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.

• Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics.


• For (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.