R&D Engineer

About the role

You will own the full lifecycle of advanced material systems from initial concept to flight validation in extreme environments. This position requires you to derive first-principles governing equations and translate them into robust mechanical designs for complex assemblies. You will lead the development, integration, and qualification of next-generation payload systems specifically tailored for re-entry, interplanetary travel, and hypersonic applications. A core part of your ownership involves personally building, testing, and refining hardware that endures intense thermal and corrosive conditions. You will instrument custom hardware for high-temperature testing and stand in front of arc-jet facilities to diagnose failure modes in real time. Your work will directly support some of the most challenging missions in the galaxy, including re-entry from space and hypersonic weapons programs. You will collaborate across disciplines, bridging materials science, mechanical design, and experimental test to solve complex engineering problems. This role demands comfort with both theoretical analysis and hands-on fabrication in demanding test environments.

Key facts

What you'll do

Conduct exploratory research to define novel ceramic, composite, and multi-material systems capable of surviving extreme thermal and mechanical loads.

Develop mechanical CAD models for intricate assemblies that integrate with existing spacecraft and payload infrastructures.

Design experiments that isolate critical material behaviors under re-entry, hypersonic heating, and maritime deployment conditions.

Perform structural and thermal analysis using first-principles equations to guide material selection and geometry optimization.

Fabricate and assemble prototype hardware using precision techniques suitable for high-temperature and corrosive environments.

Instrument test articles with sensors and data acquisition systems to capture performance during hot-fire and arc-jet testing.

Collaborate with test engineers to set up and execute validation campaigns in torch and arc-jet facilities.

Analyze post-test data to correlate observed performance with predictions and identify root causes of deviations or failures.

Lead iterative design refinement based on test results, incorporating lessons learned into next-generation prototypes.

Translate mission requirements into specific material and mechanical criteria that guide the entire development process.

Support qualification activities that demonstrate compliance with stringent reliability and performance standards.

Document all design decisions, test procedures, and results to maintain clear technical records for future reference.

Partner with manufacturing teams to ensure that prototypes are practical to produce at scale without sacrificing performance.

Present findings and technical recommendations to internal stakeholders and defense customers in clear, actionable formats.

Drive adoption of new materials and processes by demonstrating their value through rigorous testing and in-flight validation.

Requirements

Must hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related technical field.

Demonstrated experience in mechanical design, structural analysis, and thermal analysis using first-principles methods.

Proven ability to work with high-temperature materials, ceramics, and composites in demanding test environments.

Hands-on experience with CAD tools essential for developing complex assemblies and detailed engineering drawings.

Comfort with data acquisition and instrumentation of test articles, including sensor selection and wiring integration.

Strong written and verbal communication skills required to convey technical results to both engineering teams and defense customers.

Willingness to work in a fast-paced environment where priorities shift based on mission needs and test outcomes.

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship, as indicated by the job location in Littleton, Colorado.

Nice to have

Experience with torch or arc-jet testing facilities and failure analysis in extreme heat conditions.

Familiarity with defense or aerospace payload integration standards and qualification processes.

Background in hypersonic or re-entry vehicle programs, or participation in related flight validation efforts.

Knowledge of manufacturing processes that bridge prototype to production scale for ceramic and composite parts.

Practical notes

This role is full-time and based in Littleton, Colorado.

Candidates must be eligible for employment in the United States without requiring sponsorship.

No specific hours, travel, visa, or deadlines are stated in the job description.