LEAD BALLISTICS ANALYST (SOLID ROCKET MOTOR TECHNICAL LEAD)

Location: Los Angeles, CA & Mojave, CA

Ares Industries is a defense technology startup aiming to be the weapons prime of the 21st century. We are focused on delivering cutting-edge missile systems and building the critical weapons that the U.S. and its allies need to prevent global conflict. Our team is a group of aerospace nerds and engineers who believe in the power of engineering to shape geopolitics. At Ares, you will work in a high-intensity, engineering-driven environment where rapid iteration, real-world testing, and mission impact take priority over bureaucracy.

Are you an experienced ballistics expert with a deep understanding of solid rocket motor propulsion? We're looking for a Lead Ballistics Analyst to be our go-to expert for energetic materials, guiding their development from initial formulation to flight. If you're ready to lead a critical function, drive innovation, and provide essential technical direction, this is the role for you.

In this role, you'll be instrumental in bringing our next-generation propulsion systems to life. You'll have the unique opportunity to design, analyze, build and test solid rocket motors from the ground up.


What you'll do:

-- Serve as the primary subject matter expert for the formulation, analysis, and testing of energetic materials used in solid rocket motors.

-- Lead the development and optimization of robust manufacturing processes for energetic materials, ensuring quality, safety, and scalability.

-- Provide clear, concise, and timely technical leadership and guidance to project teams, keeping stakeholders informed on project progress, risks, and opportunities.

-- Design and oversee ballistic performance prediction, modeling, and simulation for solid rocket motors.

-- Develop igniters/ignition systems and ensure seamless integration with the flight vehicle leveraging cross-functional coordination

-- Analyze test data from propulsion system firings, interpret results, and recommend design improvements.

-- Drive innovation in energetic material development and solid rocket motor performance.

-- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the growth of our technical team.

What you'll bring:

-- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.

-- Demonstrated experience in solid rocket motor development and troubleshooting performance issues.

-- Proficiency in ballistic modeling, simulation tools, and programming languages Matlab, Python, C++, Fortran or similar.

-- Strong leadership skills with a proven ability to provide clear technical direction and communicate complex information effectively to diverse audiences.

-- Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

-- Effective communication skills, both written and verbal.

Bonus points if you have:

-- Master’s degree or PhD in appropriate technical discipline.

-- 5+ years of experience directly related to solid rocket motor ballistics, energetic materials, and propulsion system analysis.

-- Deep technical knowledge of rocket motor design, propellant formulation, characterization, and manufacturing processes.

-- Hands-on experience with program/project work in applied R&D and / or production support.

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