Principal Propulsion Engineer - Solid Rocket Motor Integration

2w2 weeks ago

Anduril

Costa Mesa, US · Full-time · $253,000 – $336,000

About this role

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company transforming U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. The Principal Propulsion Engineer will lead the selection, architecting, and integration of Solid Rocket Motors, ignition systems, and Thrust Vector Control on missile platforms and air vehicles.

Day-to-day responsibilities include designing and testing prototype components, structural interfaces, and thrust vectoring systems. The engineer plans and executes ground static fire, environmental, and integration tests, coordinating with SRM vendors and managing development projects. Travel to vendor sites and test ranges is required as needed.

The Air Dominance & Strike Propulsion Integration team owns the full development lifecycle from concept generation to flight test. Engineers work in a contested environment, ensuring high-performance, resilient, and scalable mechanical systems powered by Lattice OS. This team brings cutting-edge autonomy and AI to military systems in months, not years.

As a principal-level technical authority, you will define technology roadmaps and architectural baselines. You will advise executive leadership on technical risks, represent the company to key customers and government agencies, and mentor mid-to-senior engineers. This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of defense propulsion systems.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering.
15+ years of propulsion engineering experience on tactical missiles, launch vehicles, or air vehicles.
Professional experience with Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs) for defense or aerospace applications.
Mastery of rocket internal ballistics, performance modeling, and grain design; ability to influence SRM OEM design decisions to match vehicle requirements.
Served as the Chief Engineer or ultimate technical authority on a major solid rocket propulsion program, defining technology roadmaps and architectural baselines.
Experience identifying and selecting strategic SRM suppliers, managing critical OEM relationships, and establishing qualified supply chains.
Experience defining comprehensive propulsion test programs (including static fire testing, environmental qualification, hazards classification, acceptance, flight-test readiness) and troubleshooting system-level anomalies.
Experience advising executive leadership on technical risks, representing the company to key customers / government agencies, and mentoring mid-to-senior level engineers.
Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

Lead or contribute to the selection, architecting, and integration of Solid Rocket Motors, ignition systems, Thrust Vector Control, and associated ordnance.
Design, fabricate, and test prototype components and structural interfaces for propulsion systems.
Plan, instrument, and execute ground static fire, environmental, and integration tests of solid rocket propulsion systems.
Coordinate with SRM vendors, develop strategic partnerships, and manage development projects.
Lead or support critical hardware demonstrations with customers as needed.
Support CAD design for structural integration of motor cases, nozzles, blast tubes, and aerodynamic/structural interfaces.
Travel to vendor sites, test sites, and test ranges as needed.