Engineering Fellow (Propellant Formulation and Analysis)

Position Overview:

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Engineering Fellow in Propellant Formulation and Analysis to join our team of industry experts. This senior-level position is designed for a hands-on technical authority who will lead the iterative development, refinement, and replacement of propellant formulations to meet defined performance requirements.

As an Engineering Fellow, you will play a critical role in solving time-sensitive propulsion challenges, providing expert technical judgment, and supporting programs where formulation decisions directly impact performance, reliability, and business outcomes. This is an opportunity to apply deep expertise to real problems and deliver results with immediate impact.

Key Responsibilities 

Research and Development:

Lead the iterative formulation, testing, and refinement of propellants, including the replacement of aging or legacy formulations with modern alternatives that meet evolving performance, safety, and manufacturing requirements.
Develop and adjust propellant formulations through hands-on experimentation, using test results to drive rapid convergence toward required outcomes.
Evaluate material options—including binders, oxidizers, and additives—and recommend formulation changes based on performance data rather than theoretical exploration.

Performance Analysis and Testing:

Design, execute, and interpret experiments to characterize propellant performance, including burn rate, energy output, stability, and mechanical behavior.
Perform applied ballistic analysis of rocket motors and gas generators to assess performance against customer and system requirements.

Technical Leadership:

Serve as a technical authority in propellant formulation and analysis, providing expert guidance to engineering teams, leadership, and program stakeholders.
Influence technical decisions through experience, judgment, and data-driven recommendations rather than formal people management.
Provide informal mentorship and technical direction to engineers and scientists as needed to support successful execution.

Program and Project Support:

Collaborate with program managers and cross-functional teams to support propulsion system requirements and ensure propellant solutions align with mission objectives.
Select existing propellant formulations from available catalogs or recommend new formulations when requirements cannot be met.
Provide technical input to support program execution, customer discussions, and risk mitigation related to propellant performance.

Safety and Compliance:

Ensure all propellant formulation and testing activities comply with applicable safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements (e.g., OSHA, DOT, ITAR).
Apply rigorous hazard awareness and risk mitigation practices during propellant handling, testing, and evaluation activities.

Qualifications:

Education: Master’s degree or equivalent in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field with relevance to energetics or propellant systems. Advanced education is valued, but demonstrated hands-on expertise and judgment are critical.

Experience: Extensive experience in propellant formulation, energetic materials, or propulsion system development, with a demonstrated ability to solve real-world performance problems and operate independently at a senior technical level.

Expertise:

Deep, practical knowledge of propellant formulation, including binders, oxidizers, plasticizers, stabilizers, and additives.
Hands-on experience with propellant manufacturing, formulation adjustment, and testing processes.
Experience applying ballistic analysis to evaluate propulsion system performance.

Skills:

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate test data into actionable formulation changes.
Clear technical communication skills for working with engineering teams, leadership, and program stakeholders.
Ability to manage priorities independently and deliver results under time-sensitive conditions.

 

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