Concept Design Engineer

X-Bow Systems

$90K — $120K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of experience in solid rocket motor design or relevant academic experience.
  • Proficient in CAD software including Solidworks, NX, or Creo.
  • Skillful in performing internal ballistics and mechanical design analysis.
  • Knowledgeable in trajectory analysis for various launch vehicle profiles.
  • Experience in systems engineering with a focus on multidisciplinary trade studies.
  • Strong technical writing capabilities for proposals and reports.
  • Familiarity with programming languages like MATLAB, Python, or FORTRAN.

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop innovative rocket motor concepts.
  • Translate customer requirements into viable engineering solutions.
  • Conduct performance analysis and trade studies to inform design decisions.
  • Ensure initial concepts are technically sound and executable before development.
  • Communicate complex engineering concepts to diverse audiences clearly and effectively.
  • Respond quickly to customer needs and market changes with practical design solutions.
  • Guide discussions with customers to effectively shape future programs.

Benefits

  • Flexible work arrangements with remote work options available.
  • Opportunity to work on high-impact projects in a fast-moving team environment.
  • Involvement in cutting-edge technologies in the aerospace sector.
  • Access to professional growth and development opportunities.
  • Engagement with a collaborative and cross-functional work culture.
Full Job Description
As a Concept Design Engineer, you will help shape the next generation of solid rocket motor systems, from small tactical motors to large strategic motors. This role sits at the front end of programs, where technical judgment, creativity, speed, and systems-level thinking directly influence customer decisions, proposals, and future program baselines. You will support business development and active programs by translating customer needs into credible technical concepts, trade studies, performance analysis, preliminary designs, and proposal inputs. Success in this role requires a fundamental understanding of propulsion systems and the ability to balance mission requirements, customer priorities, performance, manufacturability, cost, schedule, and technical risk. This is a high-impact position on a small, fast-moving team. You will use industry-standard tools, internal codes, engineering fundamentals, and practical judgment to develop concepts quickly and accurately to guide customer conversations, shape opportunities, and anticipate future program challenges. You will work cross-functionally with X-Bow's design, analysis, manufacturing, business development, and program teams to ensure early concepts are technically sound and executable. A strong Concept Design Engineer can move quickly without losing technical discipline. The ideal candidate has at least 5 years of directly related industry or academic experience and is equally comfortable maintaining a system-level view while understanding the critical details that drive the design. Desired Skills & Qualifications: Solid Rocket Motor Design & Analysis: Own SRM mechanical design, internal ballistics analysis, material selection. Have a working knowledge of industry standard ballistic analysis tools. Experience in CAD software (Solidworks/NX/Creo). Trajectory Analysis: Develop and analyze tactical, ballistic, suborbital and orbital launch vehicle trajectories for rail launch and TVC guided systems. Dispersions and fault analysis capability/understanding required. 3DoF and 6DoF analysis with POST2/POST3D and/or TAOS. Systems Engineering: Translate customer and mission needs into clear requirements, architecture, interfaces, and verification approaches. Experience leading multidisciplinary trade studies across propulsion, structures, aerodynamics, operations, manufacturing, cost, schedule, risk, and performance to support executable concept and program baselines. Weights & Sizing: Develop and analyze launch vehicle sizing and mass properties estimates to support both conceptual and detailed design. Technical writing: Ability to develop clear, accurate, and technical content for proposals, white papers, trade studies, and customer briefings. Programming: Working knowledge of MATLAB, Python, and/or FORTRAN. Communication: Clearly communicate complex engineering concepts, assumptions, risks, and tradeoffs to technical and non-technical audiences. Education: Bachelor's Degree or higher in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering or equivalent. Location Requirements: Primary work will be performed in Huntsville, AL. This job can be worked remotely with the appropriate work ethic and discipline. Additional travel may be required if remote.

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