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

Anduril Industries, Inc.; Costa Mesa, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 220,000 - 292,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries in Costa Mesa, CA is seeking a Staff Propulsion Engineer for Air Vehicles. You will lead the integration of Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs), ignition and thrust vector control systems across Group 5 air vehicles and missile platforms.

You will design, fabricate, and test propulsion components, plan ground tests, coordinate with vendors, and support customer demonstrations while providing CAD input for motor interfaces. Travel to test sites is required; an active U.S.

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.
• Experience with Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs) for defense or aerospace applications.
• Experience leading integration of SR propulsion systems into vehicles; technical authority for major subsystems.
• Experience using propellant burn-back models to perform SRM performance predictions.
• Experience defining propulsion test programs (static fire, environmental, qualification).
• Experience designing mechanical parts and motor interfaces (CAD) and performing design reviews.
• Understanding of manufacturing methods (machining, composites, 3D printing, etc.).
• Eligible for active U.S. Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead or key contributor in selection, architecture, and integration of SRMs and TVC systems on missile platforms and air vehicles.
• Design, fabricate, and test prototype components and interfaces.
• Plan and execute ground static fire, environmental, and integration tests of propulsion systems.
• Coordinate with SRM vendors and manage development projects.
• Lead or support hardware demonstrations with customers.

Skills

SRM integration

Mechanical design

CAD

System integration

Ground testing

Vendor coordination

Propulsion modeling

Materials knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace or Electrical Engineering

Tools

NX/Teamcenter

Python

MATLAB

Job description

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

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, 3D 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:

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. For more information, Explore Our Benefits .

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