Senior Hypersonics & Advanced Propulsion Engineer

iRocket is seeking a highly motivated and technically accomplished Hypersonics & Advanced Propulsion Engineer to support the development of next-generation hypersonic flight systems, advanced propulsion technologies, and solid rocket motors (SRMs).

This is an opportunity for an engineer with a strong background in hypersonics, high-speed aerodynamics, propulsion, thermal protection, or experimental aerospace systems to contribute to challenging aerospace and defense programs while expanding their technical expertise into solid rocket motor engineering.

The ideal candidate will have experience in both hypersonic technologies and solid rocket motors. However, prior SRM experience is not required for candidates with strong hypersonics backgrounds who are enthusiastic about learning and contributing to SRM design, development, manufacturing, and testing.

We are looking for an engineer who enjoys solving difficult technical problems, developing real hardware, participating in testing, and taking engineering concepts from initial design through demonstration.

Key Responsibilities

Hypersonics & Advanced Flight Systems

• Support the research, design, development, and testing of hypersonic and high-speed aerospace systems.
• Perform or support aerodynamic, aerothermal, thermal, structural, and propulsion-system analyses for high-speed flight applications.
• Contribute to the development of hypersonic vehicle concepts, propulsion integration, launch architectures, and flight-test systems.
• Evaluate thermal protection systems (TPS), high-temperature materials, and structural solutions for extreme flight environments.
• Support experimental testing, ground demonstrations, flight-test planning, instrumentation, data collection, and post-test analysis.
• Work on high-speed flight vehicle integration, launch-system interfaces, and advanced payload deployment concepts.
• Collaborate with internal engineering teams, suppliers, research partners, and government customers to advance hypersonic capabilities.

Solid Rocket Motor Development & Cross-Training

• Work alongside iRocket's SRM engineering and propulsion teams to develop expertise in solid rocket motor systems.
• Participate in SRM design, analysis, manufacturing, assembly, testing, and qualification activities.
• Develop knowledge of SRM internal ballistics, motor cases, nozzles, insulation, ignition systems, and propellant grain design.
• Support propulsion-system integration, structural and thermal analysis, and engineering trade studies.
• Participate in static-fire tests, instrumentation, data analysis, hardware inspection, and engineering improvements.
• Progressively assume greater responsibility across both hypersonics and SRM programs, with opportunities to contribute to complete propulsion-system development.

Engineering Execution & Program Development

• Translate technical requirements into engineering analyses, hardware designs, test plans, and development activities.
• Work closely with multidisciplinary engineering, manufacturing, and testing teams.
• Support technical design reviews, customer presentations, proposals, and program execution.
• Identify technical risks, troubleshoot development challenges, and recommend practical engineering solutions.
• Help transition advanced propulsion technologies from early development into repeatable manufacturing and production.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related engineering field. Master's or Ph.D. preferred.
• Relevant engineering experience in hypersonics, high-speed aerospace systems, advanced propulsion, aerothermodynamics, or related technologies.
• Demonstrated technical involvement in at least one relevant aerospace development, analysis, research, or testing program.
• Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals, including thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, propulsion, heat transfer, structural mechanics, or combustion.
• Experience with engineering analysis, simulation, mechanical design, experimental testing, or hardware development.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multiple engineering disciplines and solve technical problems independently.
• Strong interest in developing expertise in solid rocket motors and willingness to work across both hypersonics and SRM programs.
• Willingness to participate in hands-on development, manufacturing activities, and ground or flight testing.
• Ability to work on-site in New York or Texas and travel to test facilities as required.
• Ability to meet applicable U.S. export-control requirements for assigned work.

Highly Desired Experience

Candidates with experience in any of the following areas are strongly encouraged to apply:

Hypersonics & High-Speed Flight

• Hypersonic vehicle design, aerodynamic analysis, or high-speed flight testing.
• Hypersonic thermal protection systems and high-temperature materials.
• Ramjet, scramjet, solid-fuel ramjet, or rotating detonation propulsion research and development.
• Hypersonic wind tunnels, high-enthalpy testing, hot-air tunnels, or experimental propulsion facilities.
• Aerothermal modeling, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), finite element analysis (FEA), and flight-performance modeling.
• Rocket-boosted flight vehicles, launch systems, or experimental flight-test platforms.

Solid Rocket Motors & Missile Propulsion

• Solid rocket motor design, development, integration, or qualification.
• Experience with motor cases, nozzles, insulation, ignition systems, or solid propellant systems.
• SRM static-fire testing, flight testing, or performance analysis.
• Tactical missile propulsion, interceptor propulsion, or rocket motor manufacturing.
• Transitioning prototype propulsion systems into production.

Additional Valuable Skills

• Experience using ANSYS, Fluent, CFX, STAR-CCM+, MATLAB, Python, SolidWorks, or comparable engineering tools.
• Additive manufacturing, advanced materials, and design for manufacturability.
• Defense research programs, government-funded aerospace development, or technical proposal preparation.
• Demonstrated experience working across multidisciplinary design, development, and testing activities.

What Makes a Strong Candidate?

We value engineers who combine technical depth with curiosity, adaptability, and an interest in hands-on development.

You may already have expertise in hypersonic flight systems, thermal protection, ramjet propulsion, or experimental aerospace testing but have limited experience with conventional solid rocket motors.

Alternatively, you may have developed rocket motors or missile propulsion systems and want to expand into hypersonic technologies.

We are particularly interested in candidates who can eventually contribute meaningfully to both disciplines, from engineering analysis and development through manufacturing and testing.

Experience in both disciplines is a significant advantage, but a demonstrated ability to learn and execute is equally important.

Why Join iRocket?

• Work on challenging aerospace and defense propulsion technologies with applications across hypersonics, missile defense, and advanced flight systems.
• Gain hands-on exposure to multiple propulsion technologies rather than being limited to a single engineering specialty.
• Participate in real hardware development, integrated testing, and manufacturing activities.
• Work alongside experienced propulsion engineers and multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Help develop emerging aerospace technologies while supporting existing propulsion and manufacturing programs.
• Opportunity for significant technical ownership and career growth as engineering programs expand.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Wellness Resources