What are the responsibilities and job description for the Concept Design Engineer position at X-Bow Systems?
About X-Bow:
X-Bow Systems is a cutting-edge aerospace technology company focused on revolutionizing solid propellant propulsion systems for space exploration and defense applications. Our team of innovative engineers and scientists is committed to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in rocket propulsion and manufacturing.
About the Role:
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.