Senior R&D Engineer – SRM Ballistician

General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems

Senior ballistician designing and testing solid rocket motors for General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems. Optimizing propellant grains, nozzles, burn rates, thrust, and pressure performance.

Posted 8/17/2026full-timeHuntsville • Alabama • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $156,000 - $212,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in rocket motor design, including propellant grain and nozzle optimization, while effectively collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure manufacturability and performance validation. Proficient in CAD/CAE systems and skilled in conducting market research and technical documentation.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Rocket Motor DesignCAD/CAE SystemsPropellant Grain OptimizationTechnical DocumentationMarket Research

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Rocket Motor ConceptsPropellant Grain DesignThrust Curve OptimizationTest Data AnalysisEngineering Drawings

Soft Skills

Problem SolvingDiscretion and JudgmentCollaboration

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft OfficeExcelWordPowerPoint

Certifications & Qualifications

Associate's DegreeEngineering Degree

Industry Keywords

ManufacturabilityBallistic RequirementsSWOT AnalysisBusiness Case EvaluationsGround-Based Prototyping

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Generate rocket motor concepts from high-level thrust and burn-time requirements
Refine detailed propellant grain and nozzle designs
Define propellant grain geometries and optimize burn rates, thrust curves, and pressure profiles
Collaborate with design engineers on operating pressures
Collaborate with analysts on temperature and load profiles
Collaborate with chemists on ballistic requirements
Collaborate with manufacturing engineers to ensure grain geometry can be produced
Conduct research, design, and development of new or improved products, processes, or services
Optimize designs for manufacturability with internal manufacturing partners, contract manufacturers, designers, and product specialists
Use CAD/CAE systems to model designs and produce engineering drawings
Conduct market research, track projects, evaluate trade space in spreadsheets, create presentation slides, and execute business-oriented tasks
Learn complex systems and technologies and develop robust solutions
Evolve business strategy through technology assessment, competitive evaluation, industry research, road-mapping, and SWOT analysis
Conduct initial business case evaluations and identify value propositions
Summarize research results and communicate findings internally and externally
Develop technical documentation
Create rocket motor concepts to meet customer requirements
Lead static fire test campaigns and ground-based prototyping
Analyze test data to validate performance and investigate anomalies
Reduce strand burner, subscale, and full-scale motor data to determine propellant burn-rate properties
Oversee propellant casting and curing cycles
Review tool designs
Travel up to 25%

Requirements

What you’ll need

Associate's Degree and 10–12 years' experience
Engineering degree required
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
Expertise in the job discipline and broad knowledge of related organizational disciplines
Ability to solve unique problems with broad business impact
Ability to exercise discretion and judgment
Knowledge of CAD or CAE systems
Ability to understand complex systems, systems of systems, and related technologies
Advanced technical skills, including modifying or extending theories, concepts, and practices
Ability to remain stationary at a desk and/or computer for extended periods
Requires regular movement throughout GD-OTS facilities
Up to 25% travel likely

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Short-term disability insurance
Long-term disability insurance
Basic life insurance
Pre-tax spending accounts
Company 401(k) plan
Non-Contributory Retirement Contribution
Critical Illness Insurance
Accident Insurance
Identity Theft Protection
Enhanced Legal Services
Auto and Home Insurance
Pet Insurance
Commuter Benefits
Hospital Indemnity Insurance
Educational Assistance
Paid holidays
120 hours of PTO annually
Up to 3 weeks paid family leave
Incentive Compensation Program
Career development and recognition programs
Remote work option
9/80 schedule