Propulsion Engineer

Pinnacle Government Solutions is a minority-owned small business that provides Software, AI/ML, and Cloud Engineering Solutions for our Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and Federal Civilian agencies. We bring SME-level expertise and over five decades of combined industry knowledge and Talent Acquisition experience. We believe in getting it right for our customers and our country.

We are seeking a highly motivated Propulsion Test Engineer with a strong background in testing and hands-on engineering work to support propulsion system development and validation efforts. This role is ideal for candidates with a mechanical engineering foundation and practical experience in laboratory or shop environments, particularly those familiar with solid rocket systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan, design, and execute propulsion system tests, including development of detailed test plans and procedures
• Design and fabricate test fixtures and support hardware for propulsion testing
• Assemble and prepare propulsion components and projectiles for R&D testing efforts
• Analyze test data and provide actionable insights to improve system performance and reliability
• Collaborate with engineering teams to optimize propulsion system designs based on test results
• Support the development and refinement of manufacturing and assembly processes
• Maintain safe and efficient lab/shop testing environments and practices

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• Strong background in CAD modeling and mechanical design
• Solid understanding of propulsion systems, with emphasis on solid rocket motors
• Experience with test setup, execution, and data collection
• Hands-on experience in a lab or shop environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience mixing, casting, or molding solid propellants
• Familiarity with test instrumentation and data acquisition systems
• Experience with fixture design and fabrication
• Exposure to CFD tools and/or basic coding skills
• Background in manufacturing or process development

Ideal Candidate:

• Detail-oriented with a strong experimental mindset
• Comfortable working in hands-on, fast-paced R&D environments
• Able to bridge design and testing to drive continuous improvement