Senior Energetic Materials & Propulsion Engineer

Castelion Corporation; Rio Rancho (NM); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Castelion is seeking an experienced Materials & Process Engineer to lead characterization of solid rocket motor propellant materials and related systems. This role requires translating material behavior into engineering requirements and qualification programs, with emphasis on polymers, elastomers, and viscoelastic materials.

Based in Torrance, CA or Rio Rancho, NM, the position offers ownership, collaboration with propulsion and manufacturing teams, and opportunities to influence failure

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in materials science/engineering, chemistry or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience working with polymer characterization, preferably within the aerospace industry.
• Prior experience with propellant characterization techniques including mechanical testing, impact, static, burn-rate, and impulse testing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. and ITAR eligibility requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead characterization of propellant and related polymeric material systems using mechanical testing, DMA, rheometry, DSC/TGA, microscopy, and other relevant techniques.
• Develop test methods to understand material behavior across relevant temperatures, strain rates, aging conditions, and operational environments.
• Develop and execute material qualification and acceptance testing programs for raw materials and cast propellant.
• Lead failure analysis and root-cause investigations related to material performance, processing, and manufacturing defects.
• Develop and maintain material specifications, process controls, test plans, and acceptance criteria.
• Partner with Propulsion and Manufacturing Engineering to translate characterization results into material selection, processing requirements, and design inputs.
• Support manufacturing scale-up by identifying relationships between processing conditions, material structure, and resulting properties and performance.
• Ensure material testing and qualification activities comply with applicable material, handling, and safety requirements.

Skills

Polymer characterization

Elastomers characterization

Mechanical testing

Propellant materials

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science/Engineering, Chemistry, or related

Tools

DMA

Rheometry

DSC/TGA

Microscopy

Job description

Castelion is seeking an experienced Materials & Process Engineer to lead characterization of solid rocket motor propellant materials and related systems. This role requires translating material behavior into engineering requirements and qualification programs, with emphasis on polymers, elastomers, and viscoelastic materials.

Based in Torrance, CA or Rio Rancho, NM, the position offers ownership, collaboration with propulsion and manufacturing teams, and opportunities to influence failure