Propulsion Engineer

Castelion Corporation•Torrance, CA

About The Position

The Propulsion Engineer owns the design of solid rocket motor primary and secondary structures and key propulsion components. The role is central to delivering technically sound designs that meet aggressive schedule, affordability, and production goals. The engineer translates project objectives into cost-effective designs suitable for production at scale; develops solid rocket motor designs with autonomy; and supports prototype and production assembly, testing, and troubleshooting. The position uses rapid iteration to validate performance and make design adjustments, produces and authorizes CAD models and drawings to internal standards and ASME Y14.5-2009 guidelines, assesses and resolves hardware discrepancies, and collaborates with supply chain to mitigate availability risks and delays. The role requires a relevant bachelor's or advanced degree and at least two years of mechanical or fluids design, analysis, or build experience. Student project team, university rocketry club, and internship experience count. Candidates should communicate effectively across teams and document their work. Preferred qualifications include experience with test methods, aerospace materials, propulsion systems, fluid components, CAD and GD&T, rocket motors and solid propulsion, rapid product development, and a current active DoD Secret clearance or higher. A master's degree or PhD in a technical discipline is also preferred. The role may require extended hours or weekends with minimal notice to meet critical deadlines, and ongoing travel of up to 30%. Access to classified information or restricted government sites may be required depending on role designation, and employment may then depend on obtaining and maintaining required government clearance or authorization and satisfying applicable eligibility requirements. The position also requires access to export-controlled information without additional export licensing.

Requirements

Bachelor's or advanced degree in aerospace engineering, manufacturing engineering, materials engineering, mechanical engineering, or physics.
At least 2 years of mechanical or fluids design, analysis, or build experience; student project team, university rocketry club, and internship experience count.
Effective communication skills for cross-functional collaboration, presenting design concepts, and documenting work.
Willingness and ability to work extended hours and/or weekends with minimal notice to meet critical deadlines.
Ability to travel up to 30% on an ongoing basis.
Ability to access applicable export-controlled information without additional export licensing being required.
If the role is designated as requiring government clearance or authorization, ability to obtain and maintain it and satisfy applicable citizenship or other eligibility requirements.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in test methods and setups, and ability to conduct trade studies using engineering fundamentals to make informed recommendations with limited information.
Extensive experience with aerospace materials, including metals, plastics, and composites, and a solid understanding of spacecraft and/or launch vehicle propulsion systems and fluid components.
CAD software proficiency, such as NX 8.5, PTC Creo, or CATIA, and expertise in GD&T per ASME Y14.5-1994.
Relevant experience with rocket motors, solid propulsion elements, and structural interfaces, including knowledge of insensitive munitions protocols and practices.
Master's degree or PhD in a technical discipline such as mechanical or aerospace engineering.
Hands-on rapid product development experience, including designing hardware for high-rate production in non-aerospace domains.
Active DoD Secret Security Clearance or higher.

Responsibilities

Translate project objectives into cost-effective designs that can be produced at scale.
Create innovative solid rocket motor designs, exercising autonomy even with limited expert guidance.
Participate in prototype and production assembly, testing, and troubleshooting, providing expert guidance as needed.
Use rapid iteration cycles to validate product performance and make necessary design adjustments.
Produce, evaluate, and authorize CAD models and drawings according to internal standards and ASME Y14.5-2009 guidelines.
Assess and resolve hardware discrepancies, supporting analyses when required.
Collaborate with supply chain to ensure support and adapt designs to mitigate availability risks and delays.