Senior Rocket Propulsion Engineer

W3Global; Presque Isle (ME); On-site; USD 126,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health benefits

401(k) match

Stock option program

Flexible schedule

Relocation assistance

Professional development

Job summary

W3Global seeks an experienced Senior Rocket Propulsion Engineer to lead the design and development of solid rocket motors for next-generation hypersonic programs. You will guide propulsion system architecture, grain geometry, and integration throughout the design-build-test lifecycle.

The role requires extensive solid rocket propulsion expertise, strong engineering judgment, and collaboration with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced R&D environment. U.S.

Qualifications

• BS degree in aerospace, mechanical, chemical or materials engineering from an accredited institution.
• 5+ years in solid rocket propulsion, including leading or key technical roles in motor design and development.
• Expertise in solid rocket motor design, propellant formulation, grain geometry, motor architecture, internal ballistics, and propulsion system analysis.
• Experience in an R&D environment using iterative design-build-test cycles for solid rocket motors and propulsion systems.
• Experience designing and integrating critical solid rocket motor components and subsystems.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, analysis, and optimization of advanced solid rocket motors and propulsion systems.
• Lead major solid rocket motor development efforts from concept through qualification, applying advanced engineering principles throughout the design-build-test lifecycle.
• Develop and refine propellant formulations, grain geometries, motor architectures, and propulsion system designs to meet performance and reliability goals.
• Lead the design and integration of motor components and subsystems, including casings, nozzles, ignition systems, and interfaces.
• Perform advanced propulsion analyses, including internal ballistics, combustion, thermal, and structural assessments.
• Develop models, evaluate simulations, and interpret test data to validate assumptions and drive design improvements.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and lead technical design reviews and trade studies.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to propulsion engineers and support DoD/government programs as needed.

Skills

Solid rocket propulsion

Leadership

Propellant formulation

Internal ballistics

Design optimization

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree in related field

PhD in related field

Tools

CFD/FEA

CAD/CAE tools

MATLAB

LabVIEW

Job description

Job Title: Senior Rocket Propulsion Engineer

Location: Presque Isle, ME

Salary Range: $126,000-$159,661

Clearance: Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Rocket Propulsion Engineer to lead the design and development of advanced solid rocket motors and propulsion systems supporting next-generation hypersonic research and development programs.

This role focuses on major solid rocket motor development, including propulsion system architecture, propellant and grain design, motor design, internal ballistics, combustion performance, analysis, and system integration throughout the design-build-test lifecycle.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive solid rocket propulsion experience and advanced engineering judgment to solve complex technical challenges, refine motor designs, evaluate analytical and test data, and advance propulsion concepts from initial design through qualification and flight readiness.

You will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary engineering, manufacturing, and test teams in a fast-paced research and development environment while providing technical leadership and mentorship throughout propulsion development efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, analysis, and optimization of advanced solid rocket motors and propulsion systems.
• Lead major solid rocket motor development efforts from concept through qualification, applying advanced engineering principles throughout the design-build-test lifecycle.
• Develop and refine propellant formulations, grain geometries, motor architectures, and propulsion system designs to achieve performance, reliability, manufacturability, mission, and customer objectives.
• Lead the design and integration of critical motor components and subsystems, including motor casings, nozzles, ignition systems, propellant grains, and associated interfaces.
• Perform advanced propulsion analyses, including internal ballistics, combustion performance, thermal analysis, structural assessments, and motor performance prediction.
• Develop analytical models, evaluate simulation results, and interpret propulsion test data to validate design assumptions and drive iterative design improvements.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering, manufacturing test, and operations teams throughout the design and development process.
• Lead technical investigations and root cause analyses related to propulsion system performance, design challenges, and test results.
• Lead and participate in technical design reviews and engineering trade studies, providing recommendations and influencing critical propulsion design decisions.
• Prepare and review engineering analyses, technical reports, design documentation, specifications, drawings, and test plans.
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to propulsion engineers and other technical team members.Support the continued advancement of solid rocket propulsion technologies, engineering methods, and development capabilities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, materials engineering, or a related engineering discipline from an accredited institution.
• 5+ years of professional engineering experience in solid rocket propulsion, including significant experience leading or serving in a key technical role in the design and development of major solid rocket motor systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in solid rocket motor design and development, including propellant formulation, grain geometry, motor architecture, internal ballistics, combustion performance, and propulsion system analysis.
• Experience working in a research and development environment utilizing iterative design-build-test cycles to develop and mature solid rocket motors and propulsion systems.
• Demonstrated experience designing and integrating critical solid rocket motor components and subsystems.
• Experience supporting the full solid rocket motor development lifecycle, from concept development through design, analysis, integration, qualification, and testing.
• Experience performing advanced propulsion analyses using analytical methods, modeling, simulation tools, and engineering software.
• Experience interpreting propulsion test data, evaluating motor performance, validating design assumptions, and applying findings to iterative design improvements.
• Proven ability to independently solve complex technical challenges, exercise sound engineering judgment, and make technical decisions with minimal supervision.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance, as required by government contracts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, materials engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of professional engineering experience in solid rocket propulsion, including significant experience leading or serving in a key technical role in the design and development of major solid rocket motor systems.
• Direct experience with ammonium perchlorate composite propellant (APCP) formulation or comparable composite solid propellant systems.
• Experience supporting the design and development of propulsion systems for hypersonic vehicles or other advanced high-speed aerospace applications.
• Experience designing and developing solid rocket motors for hypersonic, missile, launch vehicle, or other advanced defense applications.
• Experience leading static fire testing, propulsion performance evaluation, and post-test data analysis supporting motor development and design validation.
• Experience with composite propellant processing, manufacturing methods, and quality control practices.
• Experience supporting DoD, MDA, NASA, or other government-funded aerospace research and development programs.
• Active U.S. Secret security clearance or higher.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• 90% employer-paid comprehensive health benefits.
• 4% 401(k) match.
• Employee stock option program.
• Flexible working schedule.
• Relocation assistance.
• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
• Exciting and challenging research and development environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.