Energetics Lead Engineer - solid propellant and explosives

About Wild West Systems

Wild West Systems is a defense technology startup redefining autonomous edge defense through modular, AI-powered weapon systems-designed, built, and launched in the USA. We're arming the future warfighter with precision, affordability, and swagger. If you're ready to embrace the grit and chaos of cutting-edge defense innovation, welcome to the frontier.

Why This Role Matters

As our Energetics SME, you'll be driving development, testing, integration and productization of rocket solid propellants, destructive devices, warheads, fuses, ignition device, and related components. You'll also own the certification and qualification requirements as needed to comply with related regulations, MIL-SPECs, and so on. There's no "that's not my job" here-only "let's get it done." Your work directly arms the warfighter, and that's a responsibility we don't take lightly.

Responsibilities

• Materials and process : Work with Propulsion Engineering team to develop solid propellant recipes, processing procedures, documentation, productization and automation for efficiency and scale.
• Energetics : Develop incendiary and explosive payloads for various delivery devices and intended impact, with varying levels of lethality.
• Compliance : Understand the regulatory landscape and guide engineering team to ensure products meet all necessary criteria and pass any require certification and qualifications.
• DFM & Engineering Collaboration : Provide feedback to improve manufacturability and support engineers in rapid design iterations.
• Procurement : Identify, source, and purchase materials to keep the production engine running.
• Testing Support : Assist with live-fire test setups and operations at our Texas proving grounds.
• Ownership & Rapid Adaptation : Jump into whatever needs doing-day-to-day can look different by hour.
• Documentation & Continuous Improvement : Catalog key processes, promote safety, and drive improvements.

Required Qualifications

Preferred Experience

What You'll Find at Wild West Systems