Senior Propulsion Engineer, Air Vehicles (Solid Rocket Motor Integration)

Anduril Industries; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 166,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Equity grants and competitive compensation

Job summary

Anduril Industries is seeking a highly skilled Propulsion Engineer to join the team in Costa Mesa, California. This role focuses on the integration and testing of Solid Rocket Motors for military applications, leading design and development from concept through execution.

The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of propulsion engineering experience, a Bachelor's degree, and the ability to obtain a U.S. Secret security clearance. You will lead projects, conduct critical testing, and contribute to advanced missile and air vehicle solutions.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years experience in propulsion engineering for tactical missiles or air vehicles.
• Strong understanding of solid rocket motor ballistics and propellant chemistry.
• Eligible for a U.S. Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the integration of Solid Rocket Motors and associated components.
• Design and test prototype components and control systems.
• Execute tests of solid rocket propulsion systems as needed.

Skills

Propulsion engineering

Solid Rocket Motors

3D CAD design

Environmental testing

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering

Tools

NX / Teamcenter

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Overview

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI‑powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting‑edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

About The Team

The Air Dominance & Strike Propulsion Integration team is responsible for designing and integrating advanced hardware for Group 5 air vehicles and across missile platforms. Air Dominance & Strike Propulsion Engineers own the full development lifecycle, from concept generation, to integration and flight test, ensuring high‑performance, resilient, and scalable mechanical systems that meet the demands of complex, contested environments.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as a lead or key contributor in the selection, architecting, and integration of Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs), ignition systems, Thrust Vector Control (TVC) systems, and associated ordnance on missile platforms and air vehicles.
• Design, fabricate, and test prototype components, structural interfaces, and thrust vectoring or ignition control systems.
• Plan, instrument, and execute ground static fire, environmental, and integration tests of solid rocket propulsion systems.
• Coordinate with SRM vendors, develop strategic partnerships, and manage development projects.
• Lead or support critical hardware demonstrations with customers as needed.
• Critical member of team supporting CAD design for structural integration, motor cases, nozzles, blast tubes, and aerodynamic/structural interfaces.
• Travel to vendor sites, test sites and test ranges as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering.
• 8+ years of propulsion engineering experience on tactical missiles, launch vehicles, or air vehicles.
• Experience with Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs) for aerospace or defense applications.
• Strong understanding of solid rocket motor ballistics, propellant chemistry, and familiarity with grain design.
• Proven experience designing complex mechanical parts, structural interfaces, or rocket motor components (using 3D CAD).
• Exposure to static fire testing, environmental testing, or qualification of rocket motors.
• Familiar with manufacturing methods (machining, composites / filament winding, high‑temperature materials, sheet metal, 3D printing, etc.).
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in NX / Teamcenter, Python, MATLAB.
• Hands‑on experience with solid rocket motor testing, including static fire test practices, instrumentation, and data processing.
• Previous work experience at a Solid Rocket Motor OEM or supplier, with a deep understanding of propellant formulation, grain geometries, and nozzle performance trade‑offs.
• Knowledge and experience working with Thrust Vector Control (TVC) systems, Ignition Safety Devices (ISD / ESAD), ordnance systems, telemetry / flight termination systems, burn rate enhancers (BRE).
• Experience tailoring and conducting sensitive munition testing.
• Experience procuring parts and working in a machine shop. Working knowledge of machine safety and shop safety protocols.
• Active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.

Salary Range

US Salary Range: $166,000—$220,000 USD

Benefits

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full‑time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top‑tier benefits for full‑time employees, including: At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you’re supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, explore our benefits.