Propulsion Engineer

Job Title:

Propulsion Engineer (Aeronautical Engineer
2)

Job Description

This role supports the Mechanical Engineering Energetics department, focusing on propulsion systems for launch vehicles, missile systems, and space mission systems. You will contribute to hardware development, procurement, and testing, and perform ordnance, pneumatic, hydraulic, and motor analysis and integration activities. The position is based on-site in Chandler, AZ and is intended as a contract‑to‑hire opportunity aligned with a full‑time Propulsion Engineer role, working on advanced military and defense programs and space‑based interceptor technologies.

• Perform analysis, design, and testing of moderately complex materials, including energetics, structural components, and control systems for propulsion systems.
• Apply engineering principles, industry standards, company standards, and customer requirements to develop propulsion systems for launch vehicles, missile systems, and space mission systems.
• Select and apply analytical data from previous products, define technical principles, formulate engineering problems, and compute engineering characteristics that meet specifications and design needs.
• Coordinate strategies for developing and leveraging multi‑disciplinary design, optimization, and analysis processes to support mission requirements.
• Define and coordinate the conduct of testing required to evaluate design work and validate performance.
• Provide hands‑on test support for pneumatic and hydraulic components and systems, including functional and environmental testing.
• Serve as the responsible engineer leading an Integrated Product Team for a medium‑sized subcontract, coordinating supplier change notifications, non‑conformances, and hardware acceptance reviews.
• Conduct pre‑launch engineering reviews, examine as‑built vehicle hardware and pre‑launch data, assess flight readiness, and collaborate with flight field teams.
• Perform trade studies and evaluate alternative designs to optimize performance, cost, and risk.
• Study basic design concepts and criteria for complex materials, components, or functional systems and apply engineering principles to develop new designs.
• Anticipate customer needs and propose innovative solutions to meet and exceed those needs.
• Originate and develop constructive ideas, continuously seeking ways to improve existing methods and processes.
• Determine engineering tasks required for project planning and execution, including detailed planning, conceptual designs, and risk analysis.
• Analyze project requirements and develop engineering plans that align with schedule, budget, and technical objectives.
• Interact with internal and external customers, assisting in defining system requirements and generating specifications for products or subsystems.
• Develop and present materials for project‑related briefings and design reviews to internal and external stakeholders.
• Support new business development efforts and prepare technical proposal material.
• Travel up to approximately 10% of the time to supplier locations and launch facilities as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) with at least 2 years of related engineering experience, or a Master’s degree in STEM with 0 years of related engineering experience.
• Experience with pneumatics, specifically high‑pressure gas systems.
• Experience with ordnance, explosives, energetics, or pyrotechnic devices, including applications such as cutting bolts and similar mechanisms.
• Experience with rocket motor design, including solid rocket motors or liquid rocket engines.
• Experience in missile, launch vehicle, booster, defense, or aerospace industry.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance or higher.
• Hands‑on experience with pneumatic and hydraulic components and systems, including functional and environmental testing.
• Ability to lead an Integrated Product Team and coordinate with subcontractors and suppliers.
• Experience conducting design reviews, trade studies, and engineering assessments of complex systems.
• Proficiency in interpreting specifications and requirements and translating them into…