Propulsion Engineer

Propulsion Engineer - Solid Rocket Motors We are looking for a Propulsion Engineer to support the design, development, manufacture, testing, and qualification of the solid rocket motors used on our orbital launch vehicle. This is a hands-on role covering the full motor development cycle, from preliminary design through static-fire testing and flight qualification. You will work as part of the project team delivering an orbital-class launch vehicle, contributing to the development of propulsion hardware, engineering analysis, test campaigns, and the tools required to support motor and vehicle-level design. About us We’re a Germany-based rocketry startup currently in stealth mode, scaling up rapidly to meet the demand for high-performance, reliable, and scalable solid propulsion technologies for space and defense applications. We are already launching suborbital and ballistic rockets on a regular basis, generating significant revenue and applying our knowledge toward the development of an orbital rocket. We are working hard to build something truly spectacular. To thrive here you will need to be comfortable working at pace, with the autonomy to make decisions and execute on them quickly. If you’re excited by hard technical challenges and want a role where you will make a real difference each day to the future of the company, we may be the place for you. Key responsibilities • Contribute to the design and development of solid rocket motors from preliminary design through detailed design, manufacturing readiness, static-fire testing, and flight qualification. • Perform engineering analysis covering relevant aspects of internal ballistics, grain geometry, motor performance, nozzle design, motor cases, and structural sizing. • Develop or extend Python-based analysis and simulation tools for ballistic simulation, performance prediction, structural sizing, and related design activities. • Translate vehicle-level performance requirements—including total impulse, burn time, thrust profile, and mass fraction—into motor-level design specifications. • Feed measured motor performance data back into vehicle-level design and sizing tools. • Support the definition and execution of verification and validation activities, including analysis, subscale and component testing, static-fire testing, and flight qualification. • Support the planning and execution of static-fire test campaigns, including instrumentation requirements, test preparation, and post-test data analysis. • Prepare technical documentation, design reviews, test plans, analysis reports, and clear records of design assumptions and results. • Work closely with structures, manufacturing, chemistry, systems, and vehicle engineering teams to manage interfaces and cross-disciplinary design impacts. • Contribute to the development of engineering methods, tools, and processes as the propulsion team and company scale. What we are looking for • A Bachelor's or Master's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related discipline. • Experience or demonstrated academic/project experience in solid rocket motor design, propulsion, aerospace hardware, experimental engineering, or a closely related field. • An understanding of several propulsion disciplines, including internal ballistics, grain design, nozzle design, motor case design, or propulsion performance. • A strong foundation in thermodynamics and internal ballistics, including combustion, propellant energetics, and burn-rate behaviour. • Working knowledge of nozzle flow theory and thrust coefficient behaviour, including off-design and altitude effects. • Working knowledge of pressure-vessel and composite structural design principles. • Proficiency in Python or a similar programming language for developing and maintaining engineering analysis tools. • An understanding of verification and validation approaches for propulsion hardware. • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work from first principles when established methods or tools do not exist. • The ability to work independently, take responsibility for assigned technical work, and contribute effectively within a small, fast-moving team. • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document design assumptions, analysis, and results clearly for a cross-disciplinary team. Desirable experience • Direct experience designing, manufacturing, assembling, or testing solid rocket motors. • Experience with composite filament-winding process design or qualification. • Experience supporting or executing static-fire test campaigns. • Experience analysing pressure, force, temperature, or other propulsion test instrumentation data. • Propellant formulation or strand-burner testing experience. • Experience with explosives licensing, range safety, or similar regulatory processes for propellant systems. • Experience at an early-stage aerospace company or in a similar environment. • Familiarity with vehicle-level launch-vehicle design, including staging, mass budgeting, performance sizing, or trajectory analysis. Benefits and important information: • We offer top-decile compensation packages, bonuses and meaningful equity, to attract exceptional aerospace talent. • Every employee is awarded stock options in the company, you will directly benefit from your own hard work and success. • Comprehensive relocation support including flights, shipping and visas. • Lunch, dinner and drinks provided everyday • Free access to shared company housing Please note, we are a fast paced, hyper-scaling startup. You will need to be comfortable working extended hours with high levels of autonomy, ownership, and flexibility, with contracts structured around a 48-hour working week. We are committed to building an equitable and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, has equal access to opportunity, and can thrive. We welcome different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences—and believe our differences make us stronger. 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