Senior Propulsion Engineer
Location: Dayton, Ohio - NASIC
Employment Type: Full-Time
Clearance: Active TS/SCI
Cornerstone Signals & Cyber Technologies LLC is a certified Small Business, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB), and Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) providing engineering, technical, advisory, intelligence, and program management services to Federal Government customers. Our professionals support mission-critical national security programs across the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and Federal civilian agencies.
Position Summary
Cornerstone is seeking a highly motivated Senior Propulsion Engineer to support an advanced aerospace and missile systems program in Dayton, Ohio. The successful candidate will provide technical engineering support involving rocket propulsion systems, guidance, navigation, control, modeling and simulation, and aerospace vehicle performance analysis.
This position supports Government customers by evaluating propulsion technologies, conducting engineering analyses, performing technical research, and developing formal engineering assessments related to liquid rocket engines, solid rocket motors, and associated propulsion subsystems.
The selected candidate will operate with minimal supervision while collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver technically sound, mission-focused solutions.
Primary Responsibilities
- Provide technical analysis and engineering support for advanced propulsion systems supporting aerospace and missile programs.
- Research, evaluate, and assess liquid rocket engines, solid rocket motors, and associated propulsion technologies.
- Respond to Government technical inquiries through engineering analyses, literature reviews, and formal technical reports.
- Perform propulsion performance evaluations using analytical methods, engineering software, and established technical databases.
- Support design reviews, trade studies, and technical risk assessments.
- Analyze propulsion system performance, combustion processes, thermal environments, and fluid flow characteristics.
- Support modeling and simulation activities associated with propulsion system performance.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to evaluate total vehicle performance and subsystem integration.
- Prepare technical briefings and engineering documentation for Government stakeholders.
- Maintain awareness of emerging propulsion technologies and applicable engineering standards.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited institution.
- Eight (8) or more years of professional engineering experience supporting propulsion systems, aerospace systems, fluid mechanics, or closely related disciplines.
- Working knowledge of:
- Thermodynamics
- Chemical equilibrium
- Stoichiometry
- Compressible flow
- Rocket nozzle theory
- Structural mechanics
- Classical mechanics
- Experience performing engineering calculations using one or more of the following:
- Ability to independently conduct technical research and develop engineering reports.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering with emphasis in chemical propulsion.
- Eight (8) or more years of propulsion engineering experience.
- Experience supporting Department of Defense or Intelligence Community aerospace programs.
- Experience with liquid rocket engines and/or solid rocket motors.
- Experience utilizing JANNAF propulsion databases.
- Experience using NASA Chemical Equilibrium with Applications (CEA) or comparable propulsion analysis software.
- Knowledge of:
- Propellant combustion
- Feed systems
- Injector design
- Cooling systems
- Igniter design
- Propellant grain design
- Structural analysis of rocket motors
- Pressure loss analysis
- Propulsion instrumentation including pressure transducers, thermocouples, and flow measurement systems.
- Experience participating in multidisciplinary engineering design reviews.
Desired Skills
- Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities.
- Ability to independently solve complex engineering problems.
- Strong technical writing and presentation skills.
- Effective collaboration within integrated engineering teams.
- Ability to manage multiple technical priorities while meeting project deadlines.
- Commitment to technical excellence and continuous professional development.
Base salary is currently $185,000, possibly more depending on qualifications, directly related experience, technical expertise, and security clearance.