Principal Propellant Chemist

The Materials Engineering Department (NE-SW), which functions within the Mechanical Products Team, is looking for a propellant chemist with chemical analysis and non-metal materials application experience to join our team in Tucson Arizona. This fully on-site position will offer a qualified candidate the opportunity to engage our energetic suppliers in assessment of propellant properties, engage subject matter experts within Raytheon and the industry as well as conduct standard chemical laboratory analysis and perform hands-on-testing of materials including adhesives, polymers, tapes, composites, and various other production materials. The role will support all phases of product life cycle (including design, development and production) for a multitude of programs. Analyses will cover a wide range of topics from propellant chemistry, propellant processing, mechanical properties, failure analysis, material characterization, development, process improvement and obsolescence.  Energetic work is expected to be approximately ¼ to ½ time supporting energetic assessments with the remaining of the time supporting material characterization in our laboratory.  Tasks will require careful attention to detail, fundamental scientific and material knowledge, project management skills, chemistry laboratory skills, testing of materials, and documentation of results. Collaboration with engineers, subject matter experts, and suppliers is required. Candidate must be able to manage and coordinate a wide variety of simultaneous tasks within set schedule requirements.

What You Will Do

• Support Programs in assessing supplier data from energetic suppliers.   Trouble shoot problems and provide solutions to problems at suppliers.  This will require travel at times to energetic suppliers to support root cause corrective action. 

• Assessing materials based on conformance to specifications.

• Conducting hands on testing of materials using a variety of laboratory techniques and instrumentation at our Tucson Facility

• Conducting standard chemical analysis laboratory testing using a verity of instrumentation including: FTIR, SEM-EDS, GC-MS, LC, NMR, TGA, DSC, DMA

• Method and test plan development

• Leading various characterization and design projects

• Following standard written protocols and utilizing a variety of databases

• Teaming with subject matter experts and management to understand material usage.

• Consistent engagement with engineers, subject matter experts and management to provide project status updates

• Documentation and communication of results and findings

The Principal Propellant Chemist job is in Tucson, AZ and the position is onsite.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires A University Degree or equivalent experience and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience, or An Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years experience

• Experience in using propellant mixers and standard laboratory equipment (i.e. ovens, thermometers, calipers, and microscope)

• Experience in Instrumental Analysis techniques (i.e. FTIR, UV-Vis, DSC, DMA, TMA, TGA, Rheology, GCMS, NMR, ICP-OES, HPLC, GPC, SEM, EDS)

​Qualifications We Prefer

• Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry

• Equivalent MOS: 89D (US Army); 2171 (US Marine Corps), 4B0X1 (US Air Force)

• Demonstrated ability to apply analytical chemistry principles to industry applications.

• Specific majors: ACS certified Chemistry degree with strong analytical/instrumentation skills

• Understanding of Polymer Chemistry

• Understanding of Systems Engineering

• Understanding of material safety datasheets and Military/Industrial Specifications

• Knowledge of data analysis, modeling and simulation, statistics, and various computational techniques for complex multi-variable problems.

• Strong communication, interpersonal, planning and time management skills

• Demonstrated strong written and verbal scientific communication skills

• Demonstrated ability to lead and complete multi-disciplined scientific based projects including failure analysis investigations

• Ability to write concise technical reports summarizing analyses

• MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

What We Offer

• Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Safety, Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.

Learn More & Apply Now!

• Please consider the following role type definition as you apply for this role. Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.

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