Solid Rocket Motor Engineer

About the company

Our client is a defense technology company.

The role

Raydar is recruiting for this role on behalf of our client. Take ownership of propulsion development for a range of vehicle programs, moving designs from early concept through static firing and flight trials. Partner with colleagues in mechanical, materials and manufacturing disciplines, and help shape a new propulsion group in a fast-paced, hands-on setting.

What you'll do

• Lead motor architecture, grain geometry and internal ballistics work across several vehicle programs.
• Partner with mechanical, propellant and production engineers on motor configurations and new formulations.
• Fabricate motors and carry out static firings and flight trials at remote desert sites on a frequent schedule.
• Review measured results after each firing to refine predictive models and revise the design.
• Prepare rapid concept studies for additional motor sizes to support new business opportunities.
• Help establish and grow a propulsion team as its first dedicated motor specialist.

Requirements

What we're looking for

• At least 5 years of practical experience developing solid motors, ideally carrying a design from early grain concept through static firing.
• Working knowledge of composite propellant motor design.
• A bachelor's degree in an engineering or physical science discipline such as aerospace, mechanical or chemical engineering, or physics.
• Comfort with quick build-and-test iteration in a zero-to-one setting.
• Proven ability to hit performance goals using readily available materials and conventional formulations.
• Familiarity with airframes and the vehicle systems that a solid motor drives.
• Fluency with ballistic simulation and thermochemical modeling tools.
• Practical test experience, including planning measurement setups, drafting test procedures and processing results afterward.
• Daily use of modern AI tools in your workflow.
• Ability to work on-site five days a week.

Bonus points

• Experience with motor flight testing.
• Background in a corporate or commercial engineering setting.
• Prior work at a missile developer or a startup building solid motors.

Benefits

Compensation and benefits

• Base salary: USD 180,000 to 220,000 per year
• Equity
• Relocation support

Location and work model

• Los Angeles, CA, United States
• On-site, 5 days per week in office
• Periodic weekend travel to test sites and suppliers
• Full-time