Karman Space & Defense · 5 days ago
Senior Engineer, Solid Rocket Motor Expert
Huntington Beach, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$120K/yr - $165K/yr
10+ years expKarman Space & Defense is focused on providing concept-to-production solutions for mission-critical systems in aerospace. They are seeking a Senior Engineer with expertise in solid rocket motors to lead the manufacturing processes from development to production.
Defense & Space
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Stand up a production ready filament winding cell and lead process qualification for SRM cases
Define and control critical process parameters: fiber tension, resin content, winding angles, compaction, cure profiles, exotherm management, Tg validation, and post cure
Own tooling/mandrels: collapsible/soluble/expandable mandrels, bladder tooling, extraction plans, polar boss/insert integration, end closure features
Author and maintain special process documentation: PFMEA, control plans, work instructions/SOPs, operator certification, SPC dashboards
Lead surface prep & bonding (liners/insulation/inhibitors), primers/adhesives, and environmental controls (dew point/humidity)
Direct NDT & proof/burst testing (UT, radiography; hydro/pneumatic) and chair MRB for composite defects
Build material allowables & equivalency (coupon/element matrix, Bbasis per CMH17) and manage supplier/lot acceptance
Drive rate readiness: capacity modeling, takt, OEE baseline, staffing, and capex business cases (winders, autoclaves, cutting/kitting)
Qualification
Required
10+ years manufacturing filament wound composite pressure vessels/SRM cases for flight hardware, from process development to production
Mastery of wet winding & towpreg, winder programming, cut/park strategies, compaction, domes/hoop/helix architecture
Deep experience with resin systems & cure (epoxy/phenolic), autoclave vs out of autoclave, exotherm control, Tg/post cure
Proven authorship of PFMEA, control plans, SPC; successful special process audits (AS9100/Nadcap)
Handson with NDI modalities and proof/burst test campaigns; MRB leadership
U.S. Person under ITAR; Secret clearance preferred
Stand up a production ready filament winding cell and lead process qualification for SRM cases
Define and control critical process parameters: fiber tension, resin content, winding angles, compaction, cure profiles, exotherm management, Tg validation, and post cure
Own tooling/mandrels: collapsible/soluble/expandable mandrels, bladder tooling, extraction plans, polar boss/insert integration, end closure features
Author and maintain special process documentation: PFMEA, control plans, work instructions/SOPs, operator certification, SPC dashboards
Lead surface prep & bonding (liners/insulation/inhibitors), primers/adhesives, and environmental controls (dew point/humidity)
Direct NDT & proof/burst testing (UT, radiography; hydro/pneumatic) and chair MRB for composite defects
Build material allowables & equivalency (coupon/element matrix, Bbasis per CMH17) and manage supplier/lot acceptance
Drive rate readiness: capacity modeling, takt, OEE baseline, staffing, and capex business cases (winders, autoclaves, cutting/kitting)
Preferred
AFP/ATL on thick wall structures; carbon phenolic nozzles/exit cones; metallic composite joint design; propellant casting & case prep familiarity; refurbishment/recertification
Benefits
Medical, Dental, Vision
Company Paid Life Insurance
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
Paid Time Off (PTO)
Paid Holidays
Tuition Reimbursement
Company
Karman Space & Defense
Karman Space & Defense is a concept-to-production solutions provider for the most complex missions in the space and defense industry.
Founded in 2021Huntington Beach, California, US
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Tony Koblinski
Chief Executive Officer
Stephanie Sawhill
Chief Business Development Officer
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