Internal Ballistician

Internal Ballistician 
DESCRIPTION 
Long Wall is seeking an experienced Ballistician to support the design, development, testing, and production of solid rocket motors (SRMs) for our interceptor system. This role is responsible for ensuring that SRM ballistic performance meets demanding missile-interception requirements while remaining manufacturable at scale.  The Ballistician serves as the technical authority for SRM internal ballistics and overall booster performance.  Responsibilities include developing and optimizing propellant grain designs; performing SRM performance analysis (including sensitivity to off-nominal conditions); reviewing and interpreting static-fire and flight-test data; providing technical oversight and direction to propulsion suppliers; and defining ballistic requirements and verifying compliance throughout development and production.   
 The successful candidate will establish rigorous analytical methods while driving efficient program execution. They will work closely with propulsion, structures, aerodynamics, guidance and control, manufacturing, and systems engineering teams to ensure ballistic decisions remain aligned with system-level performance, technical baselines, and program objectives

RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Perform internal ballistics analysis to meet technical requirements and inform/validate designs.

- Develop, refine, and validate computational methods and tools to predict and analyze solid rocket motor performance.

- Review and provide oversight to suppliers performing their own internal ballistic analyses.

- Review test data from solid rocket motor tests.

- Prepare, present, and explain technical results to government partners, customers, and suppliers.

- Other duties as assigned.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

- Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a technical discipline, or equivalent experience in complex aerospace or defense development.

- 5+ years of experience with solid rocket motors or other propulsion systems.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

- Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, C++, FORTRAN, or similar programming languages.

- Eligibility for Secret clearance.

- Proven ability to operate effectively in fast ‑ paced environments that combine private ‑ investment ‑ driven development with government test requirements.

- Ability to interpret engineering artifacts, requirements, and configurations and convert them into actionable activities.

- Excellent organizational and communication skills; capable of aligning engineering teams, surfacing risks early, and maintaining clarity across disciplines.

- Demonstrated ability to partner closely across technical disciplines with technical authorities (chief engineering, systems engineering, mission assurance), customers, and suppliers to ensure disciplined technical execution.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

- Graduate degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering, with a focus on propulsion or combustion.

- Proficiency in SPP or similar ballistic analysis tools.

- Experience supporting missile defense, launch vehicle development, aerospace hardware integration, or other technically complex systems.

- Familiarity with requirements flow ‑ down, verification planning, ICD management, and configuration control.

- Prior experience working within a hybrid program environment (internal rapid development + government ‑ funded test campaigns).

- Ability to translate ambiguous technical requirements into executable work.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

- This position requires a national security suitability screening following offer acceptance.

- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.

- Ability to use a computer for assignments and communicate effectively in person, via telepresence, and by phone.

- Ability to travel between Long Wall sites as needed.

ITAR Requirement
This position requires access to information protected under US export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulations.  As such, US person status (including US citizens, U.S. permanent residents, individuals granted U.S. asylum status, or individuals admitted in U.S. refugee status) is a required qualification for this position.
 
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, genetics, or citizenship status (when otherwise legally authorized to work and access export-controlled data) and will not be discriminated against on the basis of such characteristics or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We encourage applicants of all ages.
 
National Security Suitability
Depending on the position, Long Wall may require the successful completion of a national security suitability screening in addition to its standard background check. Where required, the screening is conducted by Long Wall’s Facility Security Officer following offer acceptance and may include verification of any current or prior U.S. government security clearances or public trust positions. Information provided during the screening is used solely to determine suitability for the role and is held in confidence by Security. For positions subject to this requirement, any offer of employment is contingent upon a favorable suitability determination.

The compensation range for this role is $120,000 - $200,000/yr
This is the lowest to highest compensation range we reasonably and in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee’s pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.  
In addition to base pay and equity, we offer: 
Heavily employer-subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
Long Wall paid life insurance and LTD coverage
4% 401k match
Student loan repayment assistance program  
Paid parental leave
Family planning assistance program
Long Wall paid financial wellness program
Paid time off for non-exempt employees and flexible vacation policy for exempt employees