Laboratory Lead: Propellant Chemistry

Laboratory Lead: Propellant Chemistry

Summary

Vaya Space is a privately owned space and defense company headquartered on Florida’s Space Coast. We are advancing patented vortex-hybrid engine technology to deliver propulsion systems that meet the highest standards of safety, affordability, and sustainability.

As a Laboratory Lead - Propellant Chemistry you will oversee laboratory operations supporting the development, characterization, testing, and production of advanced propulsion systems for aerospace and defense applications.

This individual will serve as the primary leader for laboratory activities, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient execution of testing and development efforts involving propellants, energetic materials, and associated aerospace materials. The role combines technical leadership, laboratory management, regulatory compliance, and hands-on support of propulsion development programs.

The successful candidate will work closely with propulsion engineers, manufacturing personnel, test engineers, and company leadership while helping establish scalable laboratory capabilities that support both internal development efforts and customer-funded programs.

We are a fast-paced, mission-driven team tackling some of the hardest problems in aerospace. Success at Vaya requires personal leadership, strong technical skills, and meticulous attention to detail. Every team member contributes across disciplines, stepping up where needed to drive innovation forward.
If you want to make an impact and help shape the future of space and defense, Vaya Space is the place to do it.

Travel Required

Up to 10%

Required Security Clearance

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Laboratory Leadership & Operations

• Lead day-to-day laboratory operations supporting propulsion and materials development programs.
• Supervise laboratory personnel, technicians, interns, and support staff.
• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve laboratory procedures, work instructions, and operational controls.
• Manage laboratory schedules, equipment utilization, maintenance, calibration, and procurement activities.
• Ensure laboratory readiness for development, qualification, and production support activities.

Safety, Compliance & Licensing

• Serve as the laboratory focal point for safety and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and maintain laboratory safety programs, training requirements, and operating procedures.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, local, and customer requirements for handling hazardous materials and energetic substances.
• Maintain chemical inventories and ensure proper storage, handling, and segregation of hazardous materials.
• Support permits, licenses, inspections, and regulatory interactions associated with laboratory operations.
• Lead incident investigations, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Hazardous Waste Management

• Manage hazardous waste collection, storage, labeling, documentation, and disposal activities.
• Ensure compliance with applicable environmental and hazardous waste regulations.
• Coordinate with approved waste disposal vendors and regulatory agencies as required.
• Maintain waste management records and support environmental audits and inspections.

Propellant Development & Characterization

• Support formulation, characterization, and evaluation of propulsion-related materials.
• Conduct laboratory testing of fuels, oxidizers, polymers, resins, additives, and other propulsion materials.
• Analyze material performance, stability, compatibility, aging, and processing characteristics.
• Generate technical reports, test documentation, and engineering recommendations.
• Support material selection, qualification, and process development efforts.

Propulsion & Test Program Support

• Work closely with propulsion, manufacturing, and test teams throughout development programs.
• Support static fire testing and post-test analysis activities.
• Participate in anomaly investigations and root-cause analyses.
• Provide technical input during design reviews and program milestone reviews.
• Assist with transitioning laboratory-developed processes into manufacturing environments.

Business Development Support

• Contribute technical content to proposals, white papers, and customer presentations.
• Support SBIR/STTR, Air Force, Space Force, DARPA, NASA, and commercial aerospace pursuits.
• Participate in customer meetings and technical interchange discussions.
• Help identify opportunities that align with the company's propulsion technology roadmap and laboratory capabilities.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 5-10+ years of relevant experience in propulsion, energetics, aerospace, defense, chemical manufacturing, or laboratory operations.
• Demonstrated experience managing or supervising a technical laboratory.
• Experience developing and implementing laboratory safety programs and procedures.
• Experience working with hazardous materials and hazardous waste management programs.
• Experience supporting laboratory inspections, audits, licensing, permitting, or regulatory compliance activities.
• Strong technical writing, documentation, and communication skills.
• Willingness to work flexible hours as necessary.
• To comply with U.S. export regulations, such as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and the Export Administration Regulations you must (a) be a "U.S. Person" as defined under those regulations, which includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents of the U.S., and protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or (b) otherwise be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce, as appropriate.

Preferred Skills and Education

• Master’s degree in chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
• Active Secret Clearance.
• Experience supporting laboratories handling energetic materials, propellants, explosives, pyrotechnics, or hazardous chemicals.
• Experience with hybrid, liquid, or solid rocket propulsion systems.
• Experience with OSHA, EPA, hazardous waste, environmental compliance, or similar regulatory requirements.
• Experience supporting government-funded R&D programs.
• Experience writing technical proposals and supporting business development efforts.
• Experience scaling laboratory capabilities in a startup or high-growth environment.
• Excellent organizational and leaderships skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Strong decision-making skills and a results-driven approach.