Senior Propellant Engineer

ARA; Indian Head (MD); On-site; USD 130,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is seeking a Senior Propellant Engineer to lead design, development, and deployment of energetic materials for national defense programs, with a focus on SOPs, QPPs, ACPs, and cross-disciplinary coordination on ECMP projects.

The role requires US citizenship, Interim Secret clearance eligibility, and onsite work at Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head. Competitive salary ranges apply for an on-site defense role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace eng with 8–10 years propellant exp, or Master's with 6–8 years.
• US Citizenship with ability to obtain security clearance.
• Analytical skills for synthesis, monitoring, and scaling energetic materials.
• Experience managing multiple complex projects with diverse stakeholders.
• Process safety and material handling compliance.
• Leadership and mentoring of multi-disciplinary teams.
• Ability to work under high pressure and adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong written and oral communication for varied audiences.
• Ability to pass DOT medical exam and drug screening.

Responsibilities

• Lead safe, cost-effective manufacturing capability projects with federal clients.
• Understand design requirements to install new processes.
• Apply analytical methods for process development and troubleshooting.
• Plan, schedule, and procure projects per customer specs.
• Coordinate with vendors and subcontractors on design/testing.
• Meet with clients to discuss progress and technical details.
• Ensure safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.
• Produce process design docs, SOPs, and BOMs.
• Advise on safety standards for facility design.

Skills

Propellant engineering

Project management

Leadership

Technical analysis

Regulatory compliance

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Master’s degree in related field

Job description

ARA’s team solves problems related to national defense and security. We are actively searching for a Senior Propellant Engineer to join our team. The Senior Engineer will perform project engineering duties such as preparation of cost proposals, planning project execution, providing technical oversight and solutions, preparing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), preparing Quality Project Plans (QPPs) and Alternate Control Plans (ACPs). The Senior Engineer will assist and train junior personnel and help make critical cast propellant technical decisions. Also responsible for making critical facility decisions on Energetics Comprehensive Facility Decisions (ECMP) projects.

Work Environment Details

The duties of this role must be performed entirely onsite within a high-activity environment that features standard industrial/office lighting and ambient noise. Because continuous proximity to the team and operations is an essential function of the position, certain workspace modifications—such as isolating the worker in a quiet, dimly lit, or entirely private office—cannot be accommodated while fulfilling the core responsibilities of this role.

Employment Requirements

Employment is contingent upon the successful attainment of at least an Interim Secret clearance, granted by the sponsoring agency.

Due to the nature of this work, candidates for this position must be US citizens residing within the US. This position is located at Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head and will require you to be onsite. This position does not allow for a remote or hybrid work schedule.

Requirements Of a Senior Engineer

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering with 8-10 years of experience as a Propellant Engineer or closely related field, or a Master's with 6-8 years of experience.
• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain a security clearance.
• Proven proficiency in a range of analytical and technical skills for the synthesis, monitoring, and scaling of energetic materials.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple, complex projects, including the integration and coordination of diverse stakeholders such as government agencies, contractors, and vendors.
• Experience with process safety and material handling ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Excellent leadership and coordination skills, with a track record of leading and mentoring multi-disciplinary engineering teams across multiple project phases.
• Ability to work effectively in high-pressure, dynamic environments, managing rapid changes in program scope, funding, and priorities.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to tailor presentations and reports to diverse technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to undergo and pass a Department of Transportation compliant medical physical exam.
• Ability to undergo and pass a drug screening.

Responsibilities Of a Senior Engineer

• Provide leadership for the safe and cost-effective execution of manufacturing capabilities in complex production environments, in collaboration with federal defense clients.
• Acquire in-depth understanding of design requirements for process and facility design to install new manufacturing processes.
• Apply analytical techniques to support process development, troubleshooting, and optimization. Assist in development test plans to validate to support proof on concept designs.
• Oversee the proper execution of projects, including detailed planning, scheduling, and procurement aligned with customer specifications. Collaborate closely with program management counterparts to develop comprehensive plans for technical deliverables and schedules.
• Collaborate with equipment vendors and subcontractors, clearly communicating design, fabrication, and testing requirements for process equipment.
• In partnership with project managers, develop, plan, and execute goals that align with client objectives and ensure timely, quality deliverables. Participate in regular client facing meetings to updated progress and facilitate technical discussion.
• Implement and monitor safety and quality programs, ensuring all project staff adhere to contractual terms, scope of work, regulatory requirement, and client specific quality and safety standards.
• Produce detailed process design documentation, including process flow diagrams, process narratives, equipment bills of material, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Provide technical input into facility design, advising on safety standards and regulations for the design and operation of complex manufacturing process facilities.

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is a 100% employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. We invite you to visit our website to learn more about who we are, what we do, the excellent careers and each of the competitive benefits we offer and explore some of our featured offices.

Anticipated Salary Range: $130,000 - $145,000