Senior Materials and Process Engineer, Rocket Motor Systems (Polymeric Ablatives)

Andurils Rocket Motor Systems (RMS) team is seeking an experienced hands-on Materials and Process (M&P) Engineer to provide technical leadership across our rapidly expanding solid rocket motor portfolio. This role will serve as a subject matter expert for materials processes and specifications supporting the full spectrum of rocket motor systems including propellants motor cases thermal protection systems nozzles and energetic components.

This foundational role will establish the M&P infrastructure that enables RMS to scale from prototype development to high-rate production. Youll lead the development documentation and standardization of material specifications process specifications acceptance test procedures and design allowables across multiple concurrent programstransforming tribal knowledge and informal work instructions into robust configuration-controlled engineering documentation.
The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in aerospace materials with strong documentation skills and the ability to drive standardization across a fast-moving organization. If you thrive in environments where you can build engineering infrastructure from the ground up while also solving challenging technical problems we want to hear from you.

This role is based in Costa Mesa CA with up to 50% travel to RMS sites in MS NC AL etc.

What Youll Do

• Develop and maintain Material Specifications for raw materials components and assemblies containing polymeric constituents across all RMS systems including propellants cases (metal and composite) ablatives insulators adhesives coatings and nozzle materials
• Create Process Specifications for manufacturing operations including propellant processing ablative component manufacturing insulation/liner bonding and surface preparation heat treatment coating application and final assembly processes
• Develop Standard Acceptance Test Procedures and NDI technique sheets for incoming materials in-process inspection and finished hardware (FTIR Raman X-ray CT scan ultrasonic radiography)
• Review and standardize existing work instructions into formal configuration-controlled specifications with clearly defined process windows and acceptance criteria
• Serve as subject matter expert for polymeric materials selection processing and qualification across solid rocket motor systems including propellants cases thermal protection systems (elastomeric rubber and composite insulation/liners) nozzles igniters and other energetic components
• Lead materials characterization programs including mechanical testing thermal analysis rheology cure kinetics and ablation performance evaluation; develop design allowables per industry standards (CMH-17 JANNAF)
• Provide materials and process expertise to Design and Manufacturing teams; review drawings and manufacturing plans support design reviews and troubleshoot production issues
• Drive material and process qualifications from development through production readiness; manage supplier technical relationships and qualification activities
• Lead failure investigations and root cause analyses for material-related anomalies; participate in MRBs FRBs ERBs and PCBs
• Interface with engineering manufacturing quality and program teams to translate mission requirements into robust material and process solutions
• Drive cost reduction and cycle time improvement initiatives to enable high-rate production
• Mentor junior engineers and prepare technical documentation including specifications test reports and presentations

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Materials Science Chemical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Aerospace Engineering or related field
• 5 years of materials and process engineering experience in aerospace propulsion or defense applications
• Proven experience developing material specifications and process specifications for production programs
• Strong technical background in multiple areas such as:
• High-temperature coatings adhesives insulation liners and ablatives
• Thermal protection system (TPS) components
• Propellant materials and processing
• Adhesive bonding and surface preparation
• Experience with material characterization testing and documentation
• Strong technical writing skills and attention to detail
• Experience troubleshooting manufacturing processes and leading root cause investigations
• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to obtain and hold a U.S. Top Secret security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with solid rocket motor systems including propellants motor cases nozzles thermal protection systems or energetic components
• Hands-on experience with propellant processing composite fabrication ablative manufacturing or metal case production
• Experience developing design allowables per CMH-17 JANNAF or MIL-HDBK-17 standards
• Experience with NDI methods and developing inspection procedures
• Experience with characterizing thermal protection system (TPS) components via standard test methods such as char burn torch thermal diffusivity and thermomechanical analysis
• Experience with processing and manufacturing of TPS components such as elastomeric composite ablatives (EPDM NBR filled fiber laminates) carbon phenolics silicones
• Familiarity with MIL-STDs AIAA standards and JANNAF best practices
• Knowledge of rocket motor design internal ballistics and combustion environments
• Experience participating in Engineering Review Boards Material Review Boards and Failure Review Boards
• Experience transitioning processes from development to production in agile environments

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience education and/or training critical skills and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Andurils total compensation package. Additionally Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees including:

At Anduril we invest in our people. Our comprehensive competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures youre supported in health recovery and whatever comes next.For more information Explore Our Benefits.

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