Rocket Motor Engineer

Position: Rocket Motor Engineer
Position Type: Full-time Onsite
Position Location: Huntsville, AL
Clearance Required: Active Secret

Waypoint’s client is seeking a Rocket Motor Engineer to support the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Targets and Countermeasures Chief Engineer Office. This senior-level role applies deep technical expertise to the design, evaluation, and testing of rocket motors and reentry vehicles, shaping the next generation of systems that create realistic test environments for the Nation’s missile defense programs.

Responsibilities:

• Provide technical expertise across a portfolio of rocket motor systems, ranging from short- to long-range classes, including legacy systems and new designs preparing for first flight.
• Conduct independent reviews of commercial launch system capabilities and determine their suitability for MDA flight test events.
• Evaluate design, manufacturing, test, and qualification programs for all aspects of motors, including cases, nozzles, and propellant grains.
• Assess thrust performance by analyzing case and propellant design; recommend trade-offs and capability enhancements to senior leadership.
• Support ground test operations, including motor firings and data analysis.
• Provide technical documentation and recommendations for system design and performance improvements.

Required:

• Master’s degree in a STEM field with 12+ years of experience in missile defense or other complex, large DoD programs/projects, OR Bachelor’s degree with 20+ years of experience.
• Active DoD Secret clearance.
• Hands-on experience with stress, loads, and structural analysis.
• Expertise in propellant grain manufacturing and characterization.
• Familiarity with ground test operations and motor firing procedures.
• Strong knowledge of metals and composite materials used in rocket motor design.
• Proficiency in Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).
• Familiarity with MDA and/or DoD programs and processes.
• U.S. Citizenship required.

Desired:

• Experience with Missile Defense Agency (MDA) or Department of Defense (DoD) programs.
• Familiarity with MDA flight test targets and threat systems.
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools.

*Waypoint Human Capital is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.