Solid Propellant Engineer

Mach Industries•Victorville, CA

6d•$130,000 - $175,000•Onsite

About The Position

Mach Energetics is seeking a Solid Propellant Engineer to lead the design, formulation, and development of advanced solid propulsion systems for next-generation defense platforms. This role focuses on propulsion architecture, propellant chemistry, grain design, and motor development from initial concept through validated hardware. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to create high-performance propulsion systems optimized for reliability, manufacturability, and operational effectiveness. The ideal candidate is deeply technical, highly hands-on, and excited to move quickly from design iteration to hardware execution. This role is best suited for engineers who enjoy solving first-principles propulsion problems and want direct ownership over critical vehicle performance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field
Experience with solid propulsion systems, energetic materials, or rocket motor development
Strong understanding of combustion, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and propulsion fundamentals
Familiarity with composite propellant systems, grain design, and rocket motor internal ballistics
Experience performing engineering analysis using modeling or simulation tools
Ability to work hands-on in laboratory and propulsion development environments
Strong technical communication and problem-solving skills
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance

Nice To Haves

Master’s or PhD focused on propulsion, energetic materials, combustion, or related discipline
Experience designing or analyzing solid rocket motors for tactical missile, launch vehicle, or UAV applications
Familiarity with propellant processing, cure kinetics, and energetic material characterization
Experience with CFD, FEA, thermal analysis, or combustion simulation tools
Experience supporting propulsion development test campaigns and data analysis
Knowledge of energetic material safety standards and handling procedures
Experience operating in rapid development or startup environments

Responsibilities

Design and develop solid rocket motor systems including propellant formulations, grain geometries, igniters, insulation systems, and nozzle configurations
Develop and optimize composite solid propellant formulations
Perform propulsion analyses including internal ballistics, combustion behavior, thermal performance, and structural evaluations
Collaborate with manufacturing teams to transition propulsion systems from prototype development to scalable production
Support propellant mixing, casting, curing, and characterization activities during development programs
Collaborate with flight sciences, structures, avionics, and systems engineering teams to integrate propulsion systems into operational vehicles
Investigate propulsion anomalies and perform root-cause analysis on motor or propellant performance issues
Support static fire testing and propulsion validation efforts as part of the development process