Research & Development Manager: Solid Propulsion

R&D Manager – Solid Propulsion

Location: Bloomington, Indiana

Reports To: Director of Engineering

Employment: Full-time

Function: Engineering

Travel: As required

Clearance: Secret Clearance (or ability to obtain; US Citizenship required)

Prometheus Energetics is an independent U.S.

-based merchant supplier of solid rocket motors and warheads. A joint venture between Kratos Defense & Security Solutions and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Prometheus combines U.S. industrial speed and credibility with decades of combat-proven designs, manufacturing know-how, and technical training to deliver field-ready products at scale.

The R&D Manager – Solid Propulsion serves as a senior technical leader for solid rocket motor development, energetic materials formulation, and propulsion subsystem design, characterization, and process support at Prometheus Energetics. Reporting directly to the Director of Engineering, this role leads a multi-disciplinary team of formulation chemists, materials engineers, and test specialists in the development, laboratory-scale testing, optimization, and pilot-scale transition of solid propulsion systems - spanning propellant formulations, bond-line liner systems, and internal thermal insulation.

The ideal candidate has deep experience with energetic materials and solid composite propellant manufacture and formulation, a strong background in rocket motor testing, and previous technical functional management experience.

• Lead, mentor, and grow a team of formulation chemists, materials engineers, and test specialists across propellant, liner, and insulation disciplines.
• Define and execute the R&D roadmap for solid propulsion subsystems, including grain design, liner chemistry (adhesion promoters, stress-relief layers), insulation architectures (elastomeric, phenolic, and composite ablative systems), and nozzle/case thermal protection, aligning laboratory choices with program ballistic targets, environmental constraints, and shelf-life objectives.
• Own the transition of motor designs from laboratory demonstration through pilot-scale and full-rate production, establishing process windows for mixing, vacuum casting, cure, liner application, and insulation layup.
• Direct and support static fire test campaigns, data reduction, and post-fire forensics; lead failure analysis and root-cause investigations for bond-line failures, insulation debonding, and ballistic anomalies.
• Interface with program management, quality assurance, and customers on technical baselines, qualification plans, and milestone delivery.
• Drive adoption of advanced process technologies (automation, additive manufacturing, in-line process monitoring) to improve throughput, repeatability, and safety.
• Ensure compliance with DoD 4145.26-M, AS9100, Nadcap, and ITAR/EAR requirements across all R&D activities.

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field (Master's or Ph.D. preferred with concentration in energetic materials, polymer science, or propulsion).
• Minimum of 8+ years of progressive experience in solid rocket motor development, energetic materials formulation, or reactive materials manufacturing within an aerospace and defense environment, including direct experience formulating and manufacturing solid composite propellants.
• Previous technical functional management experience, with a proven track record of leading, mentoring, and scaling multi-disciplinary engineering teams.
• Robust experience in rocket motor testing, including planning and executing static fire campaigns and interpreting ballistic, thermal, and structural performance data.
• In-depth…