# Solid Rocket Motor Engineer > Raydar · Los Angeles, United States · Full-time · Posted 2026-10-13 **Salary:** USD 180,000–220,000 **Workplace:** on_site ## Description About the company Our client is a defense technology company. The role Raydar is recruiting for this role on behalf of our client. Take ownership of propulsion development for a range of vehicle programs, moving designs from early concept through static firing and flight trials. Partner with colleagues in mechanical, materials and manufacturing disciplines, and help shape a new propulsion group in a fast-paced, hands-on setting. What you'll do \- Lead motor architecture, grain geometry and internal ballistics work across several vehicle programs. \- Partner with mechanical, propellant and production engineers on motor configurations and new formulations. \- Fabricate motors and carry out static firings and flight trials at remote desert sites on a frequent schedule. \- Review measured results after each firing to refine predictive models and revise the design. \- Prepare rapid concept studies for additional motor sizes to support new business opportunities. \- Help establish and grow a propulsion team as its first dedicated motor specialist. ## Requirements What we're looking for \- At least 5 years of practical experience developing solid motors, ideally carrying a design from early grain concept through static firing. \- Working knowledge of composite propellant motor design. \- A bachelor's degree in an engineering or physical science discipline such as aerospace, mechanical or chemical engineering, or physics. \- Comfort with quick build-and-test iteration in a zero-to-one setting. \- Proven ability to hit performance goals using readily available materials and conventional formulations. \- Familiarity with airframes and the vehicle systems that a solid motor drives. \- Fluency with ballistic simulation and thermochemical modeling tools. \- Practical test experience, including planning measurement setups, drafting test procedures and processing results afterward. \- Daily use of modern AI tools in your workflow. \- Ability to work on-site five days a week. Bonus points \- Experience with motor flight testing. \- Background in a corporate or commercial engineering setting. \- Prior work at a missile developer or a startup building solid motors. ## Benefits Compensation and benefits \- Base salary: USD 180,000 to 220,000 per year \- Equity \- Relocation support Location and work model \- Los Angeles, CA, United States \- On-site, 5 days per week in office \- Periodic weekend travel to test sites and suppliers \- Full-time ## Apply [Apply at Raydar](https://apply.workable.com/raydar/j/5646D58C82/apply) --- Powered by [Workable](https://www.workable.com)