Senior Rocket Propulsion Engineer

City of Lincoln; Presque Isle (ME); On-site; USD 126,000 - 159,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4% 401(k) match

Employee stock option program

Relocation assistance

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

VALT Enterprizes, Inc. is seeking a Senior Rocket Propulsion Engineer to lead solid rocket motor design and propulsion system development in support of hypersonic research and commercial initiatives.

You will guide propulsion concepts from design through qualification and flight readiness in a fast-paced R&D environment. Responsibilities include propellant formulation, grain geometry, motor architecture, internal ballistics, and system integration, with mentorship to propulsion engineers and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, chemical, or materials engineering from an accredited institution.
• 5+ years in solid rocket propulsion with leadership or key technical role in major motor systems.
• Expertise in propellant formulation, grain geometry, motor architecture, internal ballistics, combustion performance, and propulsion system analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, analysis, and optimization of solid rocket motors and propulsion systems.
• Lead motor development from concept through qualification and testing.
• Develop propellant formulations, grain geometries, and motor architectures to meet performance and reliability goals.
• Lead design and integration of motor components and subsystems (casings, nozzles, ignition).
• Perform advanced propulsion analyses and interpret test data to guide design.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across R&D, manufacturing, and test.
• Mentor propulsion engineers and guide technical team members.
• Support advancement of VALT's propulsion technologies and capabilities.

Skills

Solid rocket propulsion

Propellant formulation

Motor architecture

Internal ballistics

Test data analysis

Design reviews

Mentorship

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace/mechanical/chemical/materials engineering

Master's degree or Ph.D. in related engineering field

Tools

Engineering software

Analytical modeling

Job description

• Base Pay $126,000.00 - $159,000.00 / Year
• Employee Type E Exempt

Description

Company Overview:

VALT Enterprizes, Inc. is revolutionizing aerospace with cutting-edge hypersonic research and development to pioneer America’s first-of-its-kind hypersonic launch system, combining rocket and air-breathing propulsion to empower our nation’s warfighters with the tools they need to safeguard our country. We envision a world where access to space is no longer a privilege for the few but an opportunity for all. Our team is driven by data, fueled by passion, and united by a shared commitment to innovation and resilience. Challenges are embraced head-on in a culture that values creativity, determination, and collaboration. Join us in shaping the future of aerospace and making history – together.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a Senior Rocket Propulsion Engineer to lead the design and development of advanced solid rocket motors and propulsion systems supporting VALT's hypersonic research and development programs and commercial customer initiatives. This role is focused 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. You will apply extensive solid rocket propulsion experience and advanced engineering judgment to solve complex technical challenges, refine motor designs, evaluate analytical and test data, and mature propulsion concepts from initial design through qualification and flight readiness. You will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary engineering, manufacturing, and test teams in VALT's fast-paced, experimental R&D 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 VALT's 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 from an accredited institution
• 10+ years of professional engineering experience in solid rocket propulsion, including significant experience leading of 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
• 4% 401(k) match
• Employee stock option program
• Relocation assistance
• Opportunities for professional development and advancement
• Exciting and challenging work environment

Join us in shaping the future of hypersonic flight and advancing next-generation aerospace technology. As a Senior Rocket Propulsion Engineer, you will lead the design and development of advanced solid rocket motors and propulsion systems supporting VALT's hypersonic research and development programs and commercial customer initiatives. You will apply deep technical expertise in solid rocket propulsion to solve complex engineering challenges, lead major motor development efforts, and advance propulsion concepts from initial design through qualification and flight readiness. This role offers the opportunity to provide technical leadership within a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary R&D environment while directly influencing the continued advancement of VALT's propulsion technologies and capabilities.

VALT Enterprizes, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or disability.