Senior Propulsion & Ordnance Engineer

Castelion Corporation•Torrance, NM

About The Position

Castelion is seeking a Senior Propulsion & Ordnance Engineer to design and deliver ignition and energetic systems for long-range hypersonic strike vehicles. The role develops reliable motor ignition, flight termination, and stage-separation capabilities through high-performance energetic devices. It involves hands-on work with multidisciplinary teams to design, analyze, build, integrate, and validate ignitors, detonators, destruct charges, linear shaped charges, and related systems in a fast-paced, hardware-driven environment. The role also includes supporting energetic-material selection, handling, and processing; planning and conducting ground tests; analyzing failures and test results; and ensuring safety, handling, and mission-assurance requirements are met. The engineer will mentor junior engineers and partner with program leadership on technical trades aligned with mission success. The position may require access to classified information or restricted U.S. Government sites, systems, or information, and requires access to applicable export-controlled information without additional export licensing.

Requirements

Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
At least 5 years of experience in propulsion, ignition systems, or ordnance/energetics design for aerospace or defense applications.
Strong background in rocket motor ignitors, detonators, initiation systems, and/or explosive devices such as shaped charges or destruct systems.
Experience with energetic materials, initiation chains, and safe handling practices.
Familiarity with AFTS or flight-termination systems and associated hardware.
Experience with ground testing of energetic systems, including instrumentation and data analysis.
Proficiency in analysis and modeling tools such as MATLAB, ANSYS, or equivalent.
Experience with hardware build, integration, and troubleshooting in a lab or test environment.
Strong problem-solving mindset and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, hardware-rich environment with a high test cadence.
Ability to access applicable export-controlled information without additional export licensing; applicable eligibility requirements may apply if the position is designated to require government authorization or clearance.

Responsibilities

Design and develop energetic systems, including rocket motor ignitors, detonators, AFTS destruct charges, and linear shaped charges for stage separation.
Lead architecture and detailed design of ignition and ordnance hardware, including initiation chains, packaging, and integration with vehicle systems.
Perform thermal, structural, and energetic-performance analyses to ensure reliable initiation, propagation, and output in extreme environments.
Develop and optimize ignition systems for consistent, repeatable motor starts across operating conditions.
Coordinate with propulsion, AFTS, structures, avionics, and safety teams to integrate ordnance systems with vehicle architecture.
Support energetic-material selection, handling, and processing with materials and manufacturing teams.
Plan and execute component-level and integrated ground-test campaigns, and analyze results to drive design improvements.
Conduct failure analysis and root-cause investigations related to ignition performance, initiation reliability, or ordnance function.
Ensure compliance with safety, handling, and mission-assurance requirements for energetic systems.
Mentor junior engineers and contribute to best practices in propulsion and ordnance system design.
Partner with program leadership to make technical trades aligned with mission success.