Solid Rocket Motor Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Nov 1, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 13, 2026.
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