Full-Time
Senior Propulsion Engineer
Posted on 8/19/2026
Estes Industries
51-200 employees
Manufactures model rocket engines and kits
Compensation Overview
$85k - $100k/yr
Penrose, CO, USA
In Person
Bachelor's, Master's
 Aerospace Engineering (1) |
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- A Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline is required.
- Seven or more years of relevant engineering experience are required, or five or more years with a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Demonstrated experience with solid rocket propulsion or solid rocket motor development is required.
- Experience taking hardware through design, fabrication, testing, and evaluation is required.
- Strong engineering analysis, problem-solving, and technical documentation skills are required.
- Ability to independently lead complex technical work and communicate effectively across multidisciplinary teams is required.
- Must be eligible, as applicable to assigned duties, to possess or have access to explosive materials in accordance with federal explosives laws and regulations, including successful completion of required ATF employee-possessor requirements and background checks.
- Must comply with applicable federal, state, and local requirements governing energetic materials, explosives, hazardous materials, testing, storage, handling, and transportation, including applicable ATF, OSHA, and DOT requirements.
- Must follow Estes Industries safety, security, export-control, quality, and information-protection policies and procedures.
- Must be able to work safely in environments involving energetic materials, rocket motors, propulsion testing, and manufacturing operations and comply with required training, personal protective equipment, and site-safety procedures.
- Lead the design, analysis, development, and qualification of solid rocket motors and propulsion components.
- Translate system and customer requirements into practical engineering solutions.
- Perform propulsion analyses and engineering trade studies to optimize performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost, and schedule.
- Develop test plans, support static-fire and qualification testing, analyze results, and document conclusions.
- Lead or support design reviews, failure investigations, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions.
- Support propulsion system development to applicable safety, performance, and customer requirements.
- Partner with manufacturing and quality to transition designs into production and resolve technical issues.
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers and technicians.
- Manage technical execution, risks, schedules, and engineering deliverables for assigned projects.
- Experience designing and developing solid rocket motors.
- Experience with internal ballistics, motor performance, grain design, thermal or structural analysis, or ignition systems.
- Experience with static-fire testing, qualification, failure investigation, and production transition.
- Familiarity with energetic materials, propellant processing, and rocket motor manufacturing.
- Experience leading technical reviews and mentoring engineers.
Estes Industries manufactures model rocket engines, kits, and accessories. Its products work by providing propulsion through solid rocket motors used in hobby rockets; customers assemble kits and attach engines for flights powered by stored propellant that ignites to push the rocket upward. The company differentiates itself by being a long‑running, family‑run business with a strong emphasis on safety and accessibility, serving customers from backyards and schools to broader hobby communities, and maintaining leadership in the model rocket segment. Estes aims to ignite imagination and help each new generation enjoy safe, successful flights, striving to be the best model rocket company on the planet.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
null
Founded
1958
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See people who can refer or advise you
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- July 2026 first Magnus battery shipments show Estes Energy commercializes beyond aerospace nostalgia.
- June 2026 Estes expanded fleet monitoring, terminals, and sustainability messaging to attract workers.
- EAA AeroEducate activities broaden school adoption, supporting recurring kit sales and brand loyalty.
What critics are saying
- Toy rocket demand depends on discretionary spending and youth attention spans, not subscriptions.
- Accidents or CPSC scrutiny would damage trust across engines, kits, and educational channels.
- Blue Origin or ULA can end licensing renewals, leaving Estes with generic kits.
What makes Estes Industries unique
- June 2025 Vulcan kit shows Estes licenses real launch vehicles into retail hobbies.
- 2025 Blue Origin New Shepard partnership gives Estes premium branded STEM products.
- Estes Energetics diversifies beyond toys into defense propellants and chemicals after Voyager's 2025 acquisition.
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Company News
Hobbyist products manufacturer Estes Rockets has released the Pro Series II Scorpio 3D, a model rocket kit that combines traditional construction with 3D printing.
Estes Industries, the Colorado-based manufacturer of model rockets, engines and accessories, has partnered with ULA to produce a 1:100 scale model of the company's next-generation space launch vehicle, which is now being prepared for its third mission targeted for lift off this summer.
In aerospace news more close to home, Blue Origin and Estes Rockets are collaborating to create a model rocket line inspired by the New Glenn, which includes functional models and STEM kits designed to inspire the next generation of explorers and engineers.
EAA teams with Estes Rockets on AeroEducate rocketry initiative.
As part of the agreement, EAA's education staff will work with Estes to develop four grade-level based activities for grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.