WHAT WE LOOK FOR
Mission-Driven Problem Solvers – The problems in missile defense demand ingenuity. We want engineers, technicians, and corporate professionals who approach challenges with curiosity, embrace failure as a learning opportunity, and stay focused on delivering the best solution for the mission.
Total Ownership – We seek those who take full responsibility for delivering flight-ready work while recognizing that no one succeeds alone. The best engineers, technicians, and corporate professionals make their teammates better, knowing that complementary skills create force multiplication and drive mission success.
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.
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.
Skills Required
- 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
- Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, C++, FORTRAN, or similar programming languages
- Eligibility for a Secret security clearance
- Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced environments combining 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
- Ability to collaborate across technical disciplines with engineering authorities, customers, and suppliers
- 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 technically complex systems
- Familiarity with requirements flow-down, verification planning, ICD management, and configuration control
- Prior experience in hybrid internal rapid-development and government-funded test environments
- Ability to translate ambiguous technical requirements into executable work
- U.S. person status for access to ITAR/EAR-controlled information
- Ability to complete a national security suitability screening
- Ability to travel between Long Wall sites as needed
What We Do
Long Wall is an American aerospace company based in Long Beach, California, that specializes in developing and manufacturing deployable launch vehicles and infrastructure for missile defense. Formerly known as ABL Space Systems, the company focuses on creating containerized, mass-producible missile defense systems and providing rapid, low-cost flight testing to enhance global security and stability through advanced defensive technology.
