Propulsion Engineer

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.