The Engineering Site Manager - Controllable Solid Propulsion Basic Function:

The position will provide opportunities to work directly with technical peers, chief engineers, systems engineering and program managers within the company.

The position is responsible for the mechanical engineering design and development of complex rocket motor systems and site manager of a team of approximately 20 Mechanical, Systems, and Aerospace engineers.

This position is a dual-role position requiring the candidate to perform management activities as well as the individual's current program responsibilities. The additional responsibilities and requirements as an Engineering Site Manager are anticipated to be approximately 75 percent of the total job duties.

The position reports to the VP of Engineering and is part of the Strategic Systems line of business based in Long Beach, CA. This role ishybrid based in Long Beach, CA.

Primary Responsibilities:

This position provides direct opportunities to collaborate with technical peers, chief engineers, systems engineering, and program managers within the company. The role is responsible for leading the design, technical execution, and project engineering of complex rocket motor systems while serving as the Engineering Site Manager - Controllable Solid Propulsion for a team of approximately 20 engineers.

The successful candidate will balance leadership and site management activities with direct technical and program engineering responsibilities. The workload distribution is anticipated to be approximately

Engineering Site Management

• Site Leadership & Culture: Serve as the primary ambassador and "first person" representing the Long Beach, CA Engineering team to facility visitors. Monitor team morale and motivation, communicate company objectives, and maintain consistent information sharing. Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, continuous improvement, and knowledge sharing.
• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Support individual contributor goal development, conduct annual performance appraisals (including merit/promotion recommendations), and mentor team members through coaching, feedback, and skill development initiatives. Identify individual and team training needs.
• Resource & Staffing Management: Collaborate with program management and senior leadership to ensure engineering staff are executing directed tasks. Adjust staffing allocations based on changing program demands, identify resource gaps, and actively participate in recruitment and hiring.
• Process & Compliance: Ensure team adherence to engineering best practices, standards, and processes. Oversee and verify timecards ensuring strict compliance with timekeeping policies.

Mechanical Design & Ballistics Engineering (Technical)

• Design & Development: Lead complex design challenges for solid rocket motor systems, specialized igniters, pressure vessels, actuators, hot gas valves, and rocket thruster designs. Perform trade-off analyses, integrate multidisciplinary considerations, and drive design optimization.
• Modeling & CAD: Develop intricate 2D and 3D models using advanced CAD commands, generate technical drawings, and apply/interpret complex Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) and statistical tolerance analysis.
• Structural, Dynamic & Thermal Analysis: Set up and validate complex simulations across structural, dynamic, thermal, and combustion modeling environments. Address thermal management challenges and optimize structural designs.
• Materials & Manufacturing: Apply expertise in advanced metals, refractory metals, ceramic properties, insulator characterization, composite layups, and additive manufacturing. Oversee design for manufacturability, complex welding, molding/casting, and assembly planning.
• Ballistics & System Dynamics: Contribute to propellant chemistry evaluation, grain design optimization, advanced ballistics modeling, and combustion/transient response prediction.

Project Engineering & Systems Management (Program Control)

• DoD Project & Financial Oversight: Apply Earned Value Management (EVM) to oversee large DoD contracts. Prepare and interpret financial reports, lead strategic procurement, craft competitive proposals, and manage complex project schedules.
• Systems Engineering & Integration: Direct requirements engineering (traceability, validation, and verification planning), Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) workflows, configuration management, logistics operations, and risk management/mitigation strategies.
• Avionics & Control Systems Integration: Oversee basic battery design, circuit board layouts, cable routing (signal integrity), ignition systems, and control systems integration for rocket engine applications.

Technical Communication

• Technical Communications: Author precision technical documentation, develop compelling technical presentations, and deliver expert guidance on stakeholder messaging and audience engagement.

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Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline with 10 years of relevant experience; OR Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline with 8 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing high performing technical teams
• Hands-on experience in the design, development, testing, or manufacturing of controllable solid propulsion systems (e.g., solid rocket motors with thrust vector control, pintle nozzles, controllable solids, or divert/attitude control systems).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in mechanical engineering or aerospace engineering from an accredited university
• Solid Rocket motor design and testing experience

Travel:

• Travel up to 10%

The good faith base salary rangefor this role is $190,000 - $230,000 at the time of this posting. Where you fall within the range depends on your experience, skills, and location. This range reflects base salary only and does not include benefits or bonus/incentive. This range may be adjusted in the future.

Voyager offers a highly competitive total compensation package designed to support the well-being, growth, and success of our employees. Employees benefit from a flexible and comprehensive rewards program that supports both professional and personal well-being.

• Flexible Time Off (FTO), empowering employees to take the time they need to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families, with a significant portion of premiums covered by the company and many benefits paid at 100% for employees
• Flexible, affordable gym memberships with 12,700+ options nationwide, including 24 Hour Fitness, EoS Fitness, Crunch Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Blink Fitness, Chuze Fitness, and more! No long-term contracts and FREE on-demand workout videos before you enroll
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 50% company match on contributions up to 8%, supporting long-term financial security
• Company wellness programs that support physical and mental well-being
• Additional voluntary benefits and employee support resources
• The opportunity to work alongside a highly talented team in an innovative, mission-driven environment

The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general content and requirements for performance of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work within the framework of this job description at any time without prior notice.

California pay range

$190,000-$230,000 USD