Rocket Motor Production Specialist

General Overview

APEX TK is looking for an amazingly talented Rocket Motor Production Specialist to join our team! In this role you will support the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Targets and Countermeasures Chief Engineer office. Your expertise will be applied across multiple programs developing the next generation of reentry vehicles, rocket motors, and counter measures in support of creating realistic test environments for the nation's missile defense systems.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Provide expertise in support of numerous rocket motor launch vehicle systems from short to long range class motors. These systems range from established systems with decades of heritage to new systems preparing for first flight events. Current focus for active programs will be solid rocket motors. Experience with liquid systems will be of use for possible future projects.
• Support program office in tracking motor production plans and resolving production anomalies.
• Evaluate design, manufacturing, test, and qualification programs for all aspects of a motor, to include the case, nozzle, and propellent.
• Apply expertise in motor systems to evaluate thrust performance based on case and propellent design and make recommendations to senior leaders on trade-offs and capabilities.
• Provide independent review of commercial launch systems capabilities and suitability for use for MDA flight test events.

What Required Skills You'll Bring:

• Masters degree in STEM with 12+ years working on missile defense-related or other complex, large DoD program
• Active DoD Secret Security Clearance
• Direct experience with manufacturing aspects of rocket motor components. Strong preference for solid rocket motors and motors for use in short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) and larger vehicles.
• Experience with Stress, Loads, and Structures analysis
• Experience with propellent grain manufacturing and characterization
• Familiarity with ground test operations related to motor firings
• Knowledge of metal and composite materials common to Rocket motor design
• Finite Element Analysis and Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Familiarity with MDA and/or DoD programs and processes
• Must be a US Citizen

What Desired Skills You'll Bring:

• MDA/DoD experience and familiarity with the Missile Defense System
• Familiarity with MDA flight test targets and threats
• Experience with Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) tools
• Experience with explosive systems on space and launch vehicles
• Familiarity with aging and surveillance programs for rocket motors
• Familiarity with small ordnance testing (LSC, pyrovalves, etc)
• Experience with AIAA-S-113