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Anduril

Builds autonomous weapons for the US and allies

Staff Propulsion Engineer - Air Vehicles, Solid Rocket Motor Integration

PropulsionConfirmed live in the last 24 hours
Full-timeCosta Mesa, CA, USA

About the Job

Requirements

  • A bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering.
  • At least 12 years of propulsion engineering experience on tactical missiles, launch vehicles, or air vehicles.
  • Professional experience with Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs) for defense or aerospace applications.
  • Experience leading the integration of solid rocket propulsion systems into vehicles and acting as the technical authority for major subsystems.
  • Experience using, customizing, or tailoring internal ballistics codes and propellant burn-back models to perform installed SRM performance predictions.
  • Experience defining comprehensive propulsion test programs, including static fire, environmental, and qualification testing, and troubleshooting anomalies.
  • Experience designing mechanical parts and motor structural interfaces using computer-aided design, and the ability to perform design reviews and provide detailed technical feedback to other engineers.
  • Understanding of manufacturing methods, including machining, composites and filament winding, high-temperature materials, sheet metal, and 3D printing.
  • Eligibility to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as a lead or key contributor in selecting, architecting, and integrating Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs), ignition systems, Thrust Vector Control (TVC) systems, and associated ordnance on missile platforms and air vehicles.
  • Design, fabricate, and test prototype components, structural interfaces, and thrust vectoring or ignition control systems.
  • Plan, instrument, and execute ground static-fire, environmental, and integration tests of solid rocket propulsion systems.
  • Coordinate with SRM vendors, develop strategic partnerships, and manage development projects.
  • Lead or support critical hardware demonstrations with customers as needed.
  • Support computer-aided design for structural integration, motor cases, nozzles, blast tubes, and aerodynamic and structural interfaces.
  • Travel to vendor sites, test sites, and test ranges as needed.

Desired Qualifications

  • Experience with NX, Teamcenter, Python, or MATLAB.
  • Hands-on experience with solid rocket motor testing, including static-fire test practices, instrumentation, and data processing.
  • Previous work experience at a Solid Rocket Motor original equipment manufacturer or supplier, with a deep understanding of propellant formulation, grain geometries, and nozzle performance trade-offs.
  • Knowledge and experience with Thrust Vector Control (TVC) systems, Ignition Safety Devices (ISD/ESAD), ordnance systems, telemetry and flight termination systems, and burn rate enhancers (BRE).
  • Experience tailoring and conducting sensitive munition testing.
  • Experience procuring parts and working in a machine shop, and working knowledge of machine safety and shop safety protocols.
  • An active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.

About the Company

Anduril

Builds autonomous weapons for the US and allies

Anduril builds autonomous weapons, such as drones, cruise missiles, and robot submarines, for the US military and its allies, often developing them with its own money before any order arrives. In 2024 it beat Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman for an Air Force contract to develop Fury, a pilotless jet that flies alongside crewed fighters. Its Lattice software merges camera and radar feeds into one live map and lets a few operators direct many drones and weapons at once, including other companies' systems. Governments buy its systems under contract, and Anduril builds much of the hardware in its own factories. Oculus founder Palmer Luckey co-founded Anduril in 2017, and it is based in Costa Mesa, California.

Company size
10,001+
Company stage
Private
Total funding
$11.5B
Headquarters
Costa Mesa, CA
Founded
2017

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