Engineering Manager, Rockets

Voyager is an innovative space, defense, and national security technology company committed to advancing and delivering transformative, mission-critical solutions. We tackle the most complex challenges to unlock new frontiers for human progress, fortify national security, and protect critical assets to lead in the race for technological and operational superiority from ground to space.

Forge the Future: Join Voyager Technologies

The future belongs to those who build it. At Voyager Technologies, we’re building technologies that protect lives, expand frontiers and prepare us for what’s next. And we’re doing that with people who are wired to solve, build, adapt and lead. These roles are not for the faint of heart.

You’ll help lay the foundation for humanity's future. Join a culture where innovation thrives, curiosity is rewarded, and impact is real. We’re a company of doers, thinkers and builders, united by purpose and grounded in reality.

If you want to put your skills to work where the stakes are real and the mission is bigger than any one person, forge the future with Voyager.

The Engineering Manager, Rockets is responsible for leading a multi-disciplinary engineering team focused on solid rocket motor development — from design and demonstration through production scale-up — to deliver defense-critical propulsion capabilities.

The position reports to the Director of Engineering and is part of the Voyager Energetics Engineering department based in Penrose, CO. This role is onsite in Penrose, CO, with work to transition to the Pueblo, CO location.

In this role, the essential functions are:

• Lead and mentor a multi-disciplinary engineering team across solid rocket motor design, propellant formulation, process scale-up, and production — supporting personnel through the acquisition lifecycle from development through PDR/CDR and into Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP).
• Drive engineering strategy, planning, and resource allocation in partnership with engineering and program management leadership to meet performance, cost, schedule, and quality objectives, supporting the transition of developmentally designed rocket motors into production across Colorado R&D and manufacturing operations.
• Oversee the development, review, and approval of engineering deliverables — including requirements, models, procedures, design documentation, and risk assessments — while implementing engineering processes, best practices, and continuous improvement initiatives that ensure technical excellence and compliance with internal and government standards.
• Represent the engineering organization internally and externally in technical and program status reviews, and develop talent through coaching, performance feedback, and growth opportunities that foster a culture of safety, accountability, and technical excellence.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering or a related scientific field with 5+ years of hands‑on solid rocket motor or propulsion engineering experience OR Master's degree in a related field with 3+ years of experience OR 9+ years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
• 15+ years of hands‑on experience with solid rocket motor development and production, including strong working knowledge of oxidizer grinding, propellant formulation, grain design, mix/cast operations, and motor testing.
• 5+ years leading projects of significant technical scope and complexity in a regulated or defense environment, with demonstrated success managing technical execution of complex propulsion engineering programs.
• 5+ years supervising high‑performing engineering teams of 5+ engineers across multiple technical disciplines, with the ability to communicate effectively across engineering, operations, program management, and senior leadership audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience transitioning solid rocket motor designs from R&D into production, including standing up new motor manufacturing capabilities in a propellant or energetic materials environment.
• Familiarity with propellant casting and curing processes, motor case design, ballistic performance modeling, and acceptance testing; experience with industrial automation (PLCs, instrumentation) and CAD/analysis tools (SolidWorks, MATLAB) is a plus.

Travel, Physical, and Government Mandated Requirements

• Travel up to 25%, including overnights trips to customer sites, industry conferences, and program reviews.
• Ability to lift, move, or carry items or equipment up to 50 pounds.
• Comfortable sitting, standing, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling in office and manufacturing environments.
• Exposure to industrial machines, heat, cold, energetic chemicals, and explosives; use of personal protective equipment appropriate to the work location.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance at the appropriate level (requires U.S. Citizenship), if needed.
• Candidates must meet all eligibility requirements to obtain and maintain applicable state and federal explosives licenses, including minimum age requirements (21 and over), a drug‑free workplace in compliance with the Drug‑Free Workplace Act of 1988 (41 U.S.C. §§ 8101–8106), Executive Order 12564 (Drug‑Free Federal Workplace), applicable Department of Defense directives including DoD Instruction 1010.09 and DFARS View phone number on click.appcast.io and successful completion of any legally required background investigations.
• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

The good faith base salary rangefor this role is $200,000 –$230,000 at the time of this posting. Where you fall within the range depends on your experience, skills, and location. This range reflects base salary only and does not include benefits or bonus/incentive. This range may be adjusted in the future.

Voyager offers a highly competitive total compensation package designed to support the well‑being, growth, and success of our employees. Employees benefit from a flexible and comprehensive rewards program that supports both professional and personal well‑being.

• Flexible Time Off (FTO), empowering employees to take the time they need to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families, with a significant portion of premiums covered by the company and many benefits paid at 100% for employees
• Flexible, affordable gym memberships with 12,700+ options nationwide, including 24 Hour Fitness, EoS Fitness, Crunch Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Blink Fitness, Chuze Fitness, and more! No long‑term contracts and FREE on‑demand workout videos before you enroll
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 50% company match on contributions up to 8%, supporting long‑term financial security
• Company wellness programs that support physical and mental well‑being
• Additional voluntary benefits and employee support resources
• The opportunity to work alongside a highly talented team in an innovative, mission‑driven environment

Voyager is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Parts 120–130) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730–774), applicants for this position must be a U.S. Person: a US Citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3). Applicants must be eligible to obtain any required export authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran

The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general content and requirements for performance of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work within the framework of this job description at any time without prior notice.

Colorado pay range $200,000—$230,000 USD