Senior Ignition & Ordnance Systems Engineer

Castelion Corporation; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Castelion is seeking a Senior Propulsion & Ordnance Engineer to design and deliver ignition and energetic systems for long-range hypersonic strike vehicles. You will lead ignition hardware architecture, perform rigorous analyses, and collaborate across propulsion, structures, avionics, and safety teams to ensure reliable motor start and safe integration.

The role requires hands-on hardware work, ground testing, and mentorship of junior engineers, with a focus on robust energetic devices and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
• 5+ years of propulsion, ignition systems, or ordnance/energetics design for aerospace or defense applications.
• Strong background in rocket motor ignitors, detonators, initiation systems, and/or explosive devices.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop energetic systems, including rocket motor ignitors, detonators, AFTS destruct charges, and linear shaped charges for stage separation.
• Lead the architecture and detailed design of ignition and ordnance hardware, including initiation chains, packaging, and integration with vehicle systems.
• Perform thermal, structural, and energetic performance analyses to ensure reliable initiation, propagation, and output under extreme environments.
• Develop and optimize ignition systems for consistent, repeatable motor start across a range of operating conditions.
• Work closely with propulsion, AFTS, structures, avionics, and safety teams to ensure seamless integration of ordnance systems with vehicle architecture.
• Plan and execute ground test campaigns, including component-level and integrated system testing, and analyze results to drive design improvements.
• Conduct failure analysis and root cause investigations related to ignition performance, initiation reliability, or ordnance function.
• Ensure compliance with safety, handling, and mission assurance requirements for energetic systems.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to best practices in propulsion and ordnance system design.

Skills

Propulsion design

Ignition systems

Aerospace engineering

Thermal analysis

Hardware integration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace/mechanical/materials science

Tools

MATLAB

ANSYS

Instrumentation

Job description

Castelion is seeking a Senior Propulsion & Ordnance Engineer to design and deliver ignition and energetic systems for long-range hypersonic strike vehicles. You will lead ignition hardware architecture, perform rigorous analyses, and collaborate across propulsion, structures, avionics, and safety teams to ensure reliable motor start and safe integration.

The role requires hands-on hardware work, ground testing, and mentorship of junior engineers, with a focus on robust energetic devices and