Senior Propulsion Engineer Torrance, CA Mechanical Engineering

Castelion Corporation; Torrance (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Castelion is seeking a Propulsion Engineer in Torrance, CA to own the design of solid rocket motor structures and propulsion components. You will drive fast, scalable designs, guide prototype testing, and ensure designs meet schedule and production goals.

Requirements include a related engineering degree and 2+ years in mechanical or fluids design, plus the ability to work across teams and travel up to 30%. DoD Secret clearance or higher is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in aerospace, manufacturing, materials, mechanical engineering or physics.
• 2+ years of mechanical or fluids design, analysis, or build experience.
• Effective communication for cross-functional collaboration and documenting work.
• Active DoD Secret security clearance or higher preferred.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% and work extended hours when needed.

Responsibilities

• Translate objectives into cost-effective, scalable designs.
• Lead solid rocket motor primary/secondary structure design.
• Assemble, test, and troubleshoot prototypes and production builds.
• Use rapid iterations to validate performance and adjust designs.
• Produce CAD models/drawings per ASME Y14.5-2009.
• Collaborate with supply chain to mitigate risks and delays.

Skills

Propulsion design

Effective communication

2+ years mechanical/fluids design

Security clearance (DoD Secret+)

Autonomy in design decisions

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's in aerospace/ME/physics

Master's or PhD preferred

Tools

NX 8.5

PTC Creo

CATIA

GD&T ASME Y14.5

Job description

Castelion is moving incredibly fast to develop and deliver advanced defense systems at a time when execution matters more than ever. We believe focus, ownership, and excellence are decisive advantages - and we're building a world-class team to turn bold ideas into real capability.

This is a rare opportunity to join at an early stage, where you'll have significant ownership, collaborate with exceptional teammates, and make a direct, measurable impact on our mission and the future of the company - regardless of your function.

Propulsion Engineer

The Propulsion Engineer plays a critical role at Castelion, owning the design of solid rocket motor primary and secondary structures as well as key propulsion components. This position is central to our ability to deliver at speed and scale, with a strong emphasis on driving technically sound designs that meet aggressive schedule, affordability, and production goals.

Responsibilities

• Translate project objectives into cost-effective designs that can be produced at scale – the Castelion way.
• Spearhead the creation of innovative solid rocket motor designs, demonstrating autonomy even with limited expert guidance.
• Actively engage in the assembly, testing, and troubleshooting of prototypes and production builds, providing expert guidance as necessary.
• Use our rapid iteration cycles to validate product performance and facilitate necessary design adjustments.
• Produce, evaluate, and authorize CAD models and drawings, adhering to internal standards and ASME Y14.5-2009 guidelines.
• Provide thorough assessments and resolutions for any discrepancies in hardware, including supporting analyses when required.
• Collaborate with supply chain to ensure seamless support and adapt designs to mitigate availability risks and time delays.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in aerospace engineering, manufacturing engineering, materials engineering, mechanical engineering or physics.
• 2+ years of mechanical or fluids design, analysis, or build experience (student project team, university rocketry club and internship experience counts).
• Effective communication skills are crucial for collaborating with cross-functional teams, presenting design concepts, and documenting work.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Proficient in test methods/setups, with the ability to conduct trade studies using engineering fundamentals to make informed recommendations, even with limited information.
• Extensive experience working with aerospace materials (including metals, plastics, and composites) and a solid understanding of spacecraft and/or launch vehicle propulsion systems and fluid components.
• Skilled in CAD software (NX 8.5 or similar packages like PTC Creo, CATIA) with expertise in geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) per ASME Y14.5-1994.
• Relevant experience with rocket motors, solid propulsion elements, and structural interfaces, including knowledge of insensitive munitions protocols and practices.
• Hold a master's degree or PhD in a technical discipline such as mechanical or aerospace engineering.
• Hands-on experience supporting rapid product development, including designing hardware for high-rate production in alternative non-aerospace domains.
• Currently hold an active DoD Secret Security Clearance or higher.

Additional Requirements

• Willing and able to work extended hours and/or weekends with minimal notification to meet critical deadlines leading up to major milestones.
• Able to travel up to 30% on an ongoing basis

Castelion offers a generous benefits package. Please refer to the bottom of our Careers page for more details.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Additional Eligibility Requirements

This position may require access to classified information or restricted U.S. Government sites, systems, or information, as determined by the Company and/or applicable U.S. Government requirements. If the position is so designated, your employment in the role may be contingent upon your ability to obtain and maintain the required U.S. Government security clearance or other government authorization, and to satisfy any citizenship or other eligibility requirements imposed by applicable law, regulation, executive order, or government contract requirements. You will be notified if and when such requirements apply.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement

Castelion is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Castelion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, participate in the interview process, or otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact [e-mail]. Requests for accommodation will be considered on an individual basis and handled in accordance with applicable law.

Castelion is committed to fostering a workplace where employment decisions are based on qualifications, business needs, and the ability to perform the essential functions of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation.

This position requires access to export-controlled information, and as such, employment (or hiring of a contractor) is contingent upon the candidate’s ability to access all applicable export-controlled information without additional export licensing being required by the Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.