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Principal Propulsion Engineer, Air Vehicles (Solid Rocket Motor Integration)

Anduril· Air Dominance & Strike : Air Dominance & Strike Hardware : Mechanical Systems
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Costa Mesa, CA$253k - $336kFull-timePosted 2mo ago

About the role

Lead or senior propulsion engineer role focused on selection, integration, and testing of solid rocket motors and related propulsion systems for Group 5 air vehicles and missile platforms. Responsibilities span design, testing, vendor coordination, demonstrations, and CAD support for structural integration.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as a lead or key contributor in the selection, architecting, and integration of Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs), ignition systems, Thrust Vector Control (TVC) systems, and associated ordnance on missile platforms and air vehicles.
  • Design, fabricate, and test prototype components, structural interfaces, and thrust vectoring or ignition control 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.
  • Critical member of team supporting CAD design for structural integration, motor cases, nozzles, blast tubes, and aerodynamic / structural interfaces.
  • Travel to vendor sites, test sites and test ranges as needed.

Qualifications

  • 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.

Skills

Required:Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs) expertiseInternal ballistics, performance modeling, grain designLeadership on propulsion programsSRM supplier management and OEM relationshipsPropulsion test programs and troubleshooting

Benefits

  • Top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including health and recovery support (detailed information available via Explore Our Benefits)
Last updated Aug 26, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Anduril

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