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Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company · 13 hours ago

Engineering Fellow (Propellant Formulation and Analysis)

Hollister, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Lead/Staff

$156K/yr - $290K/yr

Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Engineering Fellow in Propellant Formulation and Analysis. This senior-level position involves leading the development and refinement of propellant formulations to meet performance requirements and providing technical expertise to solve propulsion challenges.

AerospaceEducationManufacturing

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Lead the iterative formulation, testing, and refinement of propellants, including the replacement of aging or legacy formulations with modern alternatives that meet evolving performance, safety, and manufacturing requirements

Develop and adjust propellant formulations through hands-on experimentation, using test results to drive rapid convergence toward required outcomes

Evaluate material options—including binders, oxidizers, and additives—and recommend formulation changes based on performance data rather than theoretical exploration

Design, execute, and interpret experiments to characterize propellant performance, including burn rate, energy output, stability, and mechanical behavior

Perform applied ballistic analysis of rocket motors and gas generators to assess performance against customer and system requirements

Serve as a technical authority in propellant formulation and analysis, providing expert guidance to engineering teams, leadership, and program stakeholders

Influence technical decisions through experience, judgment, and data-driven recommendations rather than formal people management

Provide informal mentorship and technical direction to engineers and scientists as needed to support successful execution

Collaborate with program managers and cross-functional teams to support propulsion system requirements and ensure propellant solutions align with mission objectives

Select existing propellant formulations from available catalogs or recommend new formulations when requirements cannot be met

Provide technical input to support program execution, customer discussions, and risk mitigation related to propellant performance

Ensure all propellant formulation and testing activities comply with applicable safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements (e.g., OSHA, DOT, ITAR)

Apply rigorous hazard awareness and risk mitigation practices during propellant handling, testing, and evaluation activities

Qualification

Propellant formulationBallistic analysisHands-on experimentationAnalytical skillsTechnical leadershipIndependent managementTechnical communicationProblem-solving skills

Required

Master's degree or equivalent in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field with relevance to energetics or propellant systems

Extensive experience in propellant formulation, energetic materials, or propulsion system development

Demonstrated ability to solve real-world performance problems and operate independently at a senior technical level

Deep, practical knowledge of propellant formulation, including binders, oxidizers, plasticizers, stabilizers, and additives

Hands-on experience with propellant manufacturing, formulation adjustment, and testing processes

Experience applying ballistic analysis to evaluate propulsion system performance

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate test data into actionable formulation changes

Clear technical communication skills for working with engineering teams, leadership, and program stakeholders

Ability to manage priorities independently and deliver results under time-sensitive conditions

U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency due to ITAR compliance

Benefits

This position is also eligible for bonus as part of the total compensation package.

Company

Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company

PacSci EMC provides pyrotechnic and energetic material devices and integrated systems that operate precisely the moment they are commanded – down to the millisecond.

Founded in 1975