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
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