Senior Materials & Process Engineer, Rocket Motor Systems (Polymeric Ablatives)
Core
Establish M&P infrastructure for solid rocket motor systems, transforming tribal knowledge into configuration-controlled engineering documentation for propellants, cases, and thermal protection systems.
Role type
Senior IC Materials & Process Engineer (Solid Rocket Motors)
Builds
Production-ready material specifications, process specifications, and acceptance test procedures for solid rocket motor systems.
Domain
Defense / Aerospace Propulsion
Deliverable
production ML models | product features | dashboards & analysis | research | client delivery | infrastructure | physical/clinical work -> physical/clinical work (specifically: production engineering documentation and material qualification)
Required skills
Material specification development, Process specification development, Standard acceptance test procedure creation, Materials characterization (mechanical, thermal, rheology), Root cause analysis, Technical writing, Design allowables development (CMH-17, JANNAF), Supplier qualification management
Preferred skills
Solid rocket motor systems experience, Propellant processing, Composite fabrication, Ablative manufacturing, NDI methods, TPS component characterization, MIL-STD/AIAA standards knowledge
Technologies
FTIR, Raman, X-ray, CT scan, Ultrasonic, Radiography, CMH-17, JANNAF, MIL-HDBK-17
Responsibilities
Develop and maintain material specifications for raw materials and assemblies; Create process specifications for manufacturing operations; Develop standard acceptance test procedures and NDI technique sheets; Review and standardize existing work instructions into formal specifications; Serve as subject matter expert for polymeric materials selection and qualification; Lead materials characterization programs and develop design allowables; Provide expertise to Design and Manufacturing teams; Drive material and process qualifications from development to production readiness; Lead failure investigations and root cause analyses; Interface with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and program teams; Drive cost reduction and cycle time improvement initiatives; Mentor junior engineers and prepare technical documentation.
Seniority
Senior, hands-on IC