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

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Equity grants

Job summary

Anduril, located in Costa Mesa, California, is searching for a seasoned Propulsion Engineer to play a pivotal role in the development and integration of Solid Rocket Motors and related systems for military applications. This role involves overseeing the full development lifecycle and executing tests to ensure performance and reliability.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in propulsion engineering and a strong background in mechanical design. A U.S. Secret security clearance is required for this position. Competitive salary range based on experience and skills.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Ability to perform design reviews and provide detailed technical feedback to other engineers.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a lead in architecting and integrating solid rocket motors on missile platforms.
• Design, fabricate, and test prototype components and associated systems.
• Plan and execute ground static fire and environmental tests of propulsion systems.

Skills

Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs)

Propulsion engineering

Mechanical design

Team leadership

Python

Education

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

Tools

NX / Teamcenter

MATLAB

Job description

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, 3‑D 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.
• 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.

US Salary Range: $220,000 — $292,000 USD

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:

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.