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

Anduril Industries; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 220,000 - 292,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Anduril Industries in Costa Mesa, California, is seeking an experienced Propulsion Engineer to lead the integration of Solid Rocket Motors and ignition systems for advanced missile platforms. You will be responsible for the full development lifecycle, ensuring high-performance, resilient hardware solutions.

The ideal candidate has over 12 years of experience in propulsion engineering, particularly for defense applications. A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, along with eligibility for a U.S. Secret security clearance, is required.

You will benefit from a competitive salary range of $220,000 to $292,000 along with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of propulsion engineering experience on tactical missiles, launch vehicles, or air vehicles.
• Experience leading the integration of solid rocket propulsion systems into vehicles.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a lead in the selection, architecting, and integration of Solid Rocket Motors.
• Design and test prototype components and thrust vectoring systems.
• Coordinate with SRM vendors and manage development projects.

Skills

Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs)

Mechanical Engineering

Aerospace Engineering

Integration of propulsion systems

CAD Design

Education

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

Tools

NX / Teamcenter

Python

MATLAB

Job description

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.
• 12+ years of propulsion engineering experience on tactical missiles, launch vehicles, or air vehicles.
• Professional experience with Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs) for defense or aerospace applications.
• Experience leading the integration of solid rocket propulsion systems into vehicles; acting as the technical authority for major subsystems.
• Experience utilizing, customizing, or tailoring internal ballistics codes and propellant burn-back models to perform installed SRM performance predictions.
• Experience defining comprehensive propulsion test programs (static fire, environmental, qualification) and troubleshooting anomalies.
• Experience designing mechanical parts and motor structural interfaces (CAD) with the ability to perform design reviews and provide detailed technical feedback to other engineers.
• Understanding of 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

$220,000 — $292,000 USD

Benefits

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.