Solid Propulsion Engineer

Company Description

SKYLAB - Portugal Aerospace Technologies researches, designs, and produces advanced technologies for the aerospace and defense sectors. The company develops reusable suborbital launch vehicles and air defense systems, contributing to next-generation space and security capabilities. SKYLAB also offers additive manufacturing services, supporting product development and production for customers across multiple industries.

Our team works in a technology-driven environment that values innovation, precision, and cross-disciplinary problem solving, with the opportunity to work on cutting-edge systems that have real-world impact in both defense and commercial applications.

Role Description

As a Solid Propulsion Engineer, you will design, manufacture, and test the solid rocket motors that power SKYLAB’s suborbital launch vehicles and interceptors. You will have full technical autonomy and responsibility over the propulsion subsystem, leading motor development from design through static fire testing to flight. Day-to-day responsibilities include propellant grain design, internal ballistics analysis, propellant formulation and characterization, design of motor components, and planning and executing static fire test campaigns, including data acquisition and post-test analysis.

The role also includes developing and maintaining SKYLAB’s internal propulsion analysis tools, such as internal ballistics simulators and motor performance models, and contributing to the scale-up of motor manufacturing processes as the company builds its solid propulsion production capacity. You will work closely with the GNC, avionics, structures, and manufacturing teams to integrate motors into complete vehicles, document designs and procedures, ensure the safe handling of energetic materials, and contribute to safety and performance reviews. This is a full-time, on-site role based primarily in Maia, with occasional work at our engineering office in Oeiras.

Needed Qualifications

• Bachelor and/or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Strong foundation in rocket propulsion, including solid rocket motor design, thermochemistry, and nozzle design.
• Experience with composite propellants, including formulation, mixing, casting, curing, and characterization.
• Proficiency in the use and/or creation of analysis and simulation tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB, or similar) for motor performance prediction and test data analysis.
• Knowledge of safe handling, storage, and processing of energetic materials, and of the associated regulatory requirements.
• Ability to use AI tools effectively to support engineering and software development (e.g., code generation, debugging, documentation), while critically reviewing and validating their outputs.
• Ability to collaborate in multidisciplinary teams, communicate complex technical concepts clearly, and document engineering work to high standards.
• Hands-on experience from student rocketry teams, research labs, or industry propulsion programs is highly beneficial.
• Fluency in English for technical communication; knowledge of Portuguese is an advantage but not required.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience developing engineering analysis software, such as performance models, with attention to maintainability and validation against test data.
• Experience designing and running static fire tests, including instrumentation, data acquisition, and test safety procedures.
• Proficiency in CAD and familiarity with structural and thermal analysis of motor components.

Why Join Us

• Take part in real flight campaigns, seeing the motors you design power actual vehicles.
• Have full autonomy over a complete rocket subsystem, from design through testing to flight.
• Represent SKYLAB at national and international trade fairs and industry events, building your network and professional profile in the aerospace and defense sector.