Wardstone
Lead Propulsion Engineer
El Segundo, United States · On-site · Full-time · Posted Oct 29, 2026
- Experience
- 8+ years of propulsion development experience, including hardware that reached static fire or flight.
- Education
- B.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering, or a related field; M.S. preferred.
- Visa sponsorship
- Must be a U.S. person as defined by ITAR (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual). Must be eligible to obtain a U.S. security clearance.
About the job
Leads propulsion development for two interceptor platforms, including solid rocket motors and divert and attitude control systems (DACS), from architecture and design through testing and flight.
What you'll do
- Lead, mentor, and grow the propulsion team; set engineering standards, priorities, and design reviews.
- Own propulsion architecture, schedules, technical risks, supplier decisions, and integration with GNC and other vehicle teams.
- Plan and lead propulsion test campaigns, safety programs, qualification, and flight-test analysis.
What they ask for
- B.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
- 8+ years of propulsion development experience, including hardware that reached static fire or flight.
- Experience leading engineers or owning a major propulsion system from design through test; hands-on solid rocket motor development experience.
- Experience with or strong working knowledge of fast-response thruster systems, plus propulsion test campaigns and energetic-material safety programs.
Nice to have
- M.S.
- Experience with tactical missiles, interceptors, or kill vehicles; hands-on DACS or gas generator development; fast-acting valves and high-pressure systems; motor qualification or environmental testing; GNC thrust models and control allocation; or early-stage startups.
Tools
solid rocket motor, DACS, GNC, 6DOF simulation, MIL-STD-810
Model-written summary · the original posting is authoritative