Propulsion Engineer

Location: Leander, TX
Work Arrangement: Onsite
Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Overview

We are seeking a Propulsion Engineer to support the development of advanced propulsion and flight vehicle systems. This role combines propulsion design, aerodynamics, modeling, simulation, and hands-on testing.

The ideal candidate can translate mission-level requirements into practical engineering solutions and move confidently between first-principles calculations, simplified models, CFD simulations, and physical testing.

Key Responsibilities

Translate mission and performance requirements into propulsion and aerodynamic design parameters.
Perform rapid engineering analysis using hand calculations, analytical models, simulation tools, and CFD.
Design and evaluate solid rocket motors, nozzle geometries, propellant grain geometries, ignition systems, and related components.
Model internal ballistics, pressure dynamics, burn-rate behavior, and pressure coupling in solid-propellant systems.
Optimize propellant grain and core geometries to achieve target thrust profiles and burn characteristics.
Analyze thermal and structural loads associated with propulsion systems.
Evaluate external aerodynamics across subsonic, transonic, and supersonic flight regimes.
Calculate and validate drag components, aerodynamic coefficients, flight stability, and center-of-pressure versus center-of-gravity relationships.
Develop and run CFD simulations to validate assumptions and improve designs.
Write code to automate engineering analysis, simulation workflows, and performance modeling.
Work closely with manufacturing, systems engineering, and testing teams to translate designs into functional hardware.
Support ground and flight testing, diagnose performance issues, and rapidly incorporate findings into design improvements.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree with 3–5 years of relevant engineering experience, or
Master’s degree or PhD with 1–2 years of relevant experience.
Strong mechanical engineering fundamentals.
Strong understanding of compressible flow, gas dynamics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer.
Experience with CFD modeling; ANSYS Fluent is preferred.
Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or another engineering analysis language.
Experience with CAD software such as SolidWorks, Onshape, or an equivalent platform.
Ability to perform accurate first-order engineering calculations.
Experience translating performance requirements into engineering design constraints.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Propulsion Experience

Experience in several of the following areas is preferred:

Internal ballistics and solid-propellant behavior
Burn-rate dynamics and pressure coupling
Solid rocket motor design
Nozzle geometry and performance
Propellant grain and core geometry optimization
Ignition systems
Insulation and high-temperature materials
Pressure vessel design and analysis
Structural and thermal analysis
High-temperature gas flow
Solid-propellant formulation

Aerodynamics Experience

Experience in several of the following areas is preferred:

External aerodynamics of flight vehicles
Missile or projectile design
Flight mechanics and trajectory modeling
Aerodynamic coefficient modeling
Center-of-pressure and center-of-gravity relationships
Subsonic through supersonic flow regimes
Drag component analysis
Flight envelope and stability analysis
Guidance, navigation, and control systems

Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate:

Is comfortable solving complex physics problems from first principles.
Can move between hand calculations, simplified models, and high-fidelity simulations while maintaining strong engineering intuition.
Makes timely decisions supported by sound technical analysis.
Can move projects forward without waiting for perfect information.
Enjoys solving difficult and unconventional engineering problems.
Is hands-on and willing to work across propulsion, aerodynamics, manufacturing, testing, and system integration.
Is motivated by designing, building, and testing real hardware.
Demonstrates intellectual curiosity, adaptability, accountability, and a strong bias for action.

Export-Control Requirements

To comply with U.S. government export-control regulations, applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, a U.S. lawful permanent resident, a qualifying refugee or asylee, or otherwise eligible to obtain the required government authorization.