Principal Design Engineer – Missile Nozzle & Propulsion

The Principal Design Engineer will support a leading aerospace and defense organization in the design and development of solid rocket motor nozzles for defense missile systems. This initiative focuses on delivering robust, repeatable nozzle designs by combining advanced propulsion physics, transient thermal analysis, and erosion modeling with downstream production readiness. The Principal Design Engineer will play a critical role in ensuring nozzle designs meet performance requirements while remaining producible and reliable in a defense manufacturing environment.

This is a short-term contract position that will be 100% remote with occasional onsite visits to the Lincon, NE Facility. Competitive compensation will be provided.

We are seeking a Principal Design Engineer with extensive experience in rocket propulsion and nozzle physics. The ideal candidate has a proven track record in throat sizing, expansion ratio trade studies, ablative and erosion modeling, and transient thermal analysis. They are comfortable supporting the full lifecycle of missile nozzle development, from design and analysis through production readiness. Experience with missile nozzle manufacturing considerations—such as tooling concepts, bonding methods, and tolerance stack-ups—is essential.

Strong analytical, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills are required to translate complex engineering analyses into reliable, producible hardware for defense applications.

We are interviewing qualified candidates immediately and will move efficiently through the hiring process. Please apply with an updated resume.

• Experience in rocket propulsion and nozzle physics, including throat sizing, expansion ratio trade studies, ablative and erosion modeling, and transient thermal analysis.
• Experience supporting the full lifecycle from design and analysis to production.
• Experience with missile nozzle manufacturing considerations such as tooling concepts, bonding methods, and tolerance stack-ups.

Effective written and verbal communication skills are required. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. No sponsorship and no third parties.