Propulsion Test Traineeship/ Internship

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Destinus is seeking a highly motivated Propulsion Test Trainee/Intern in Payerne to support planning, execution, and improvement of solid rocket motor and igniter tests; the role is hands-on, safety-focused, and requires coordinating cross-disciplinary teams while ensuring compliant, repeatable test outcomes. To shine in your application, highlight hands-on rocket propulsion experience from student teams, any static firings or ignition system validation, and your role in test planning, instrumentation, data acquisition, and post-test documentation. Emphasize calm decisiveness during time-critical operations, root-cause analysis, and safety leadership. Show ownership mindset, autonomy in fast-paced development teams, and strong English communication; German is a plus. Include on-site availability and a portfolio of relevant projects.

The Destinus engineering team is seeking a highly motivated, operations-focused Propulsion Test Trainee/ Intern to support the safe planning, execution, and continuous improvement of solid rocket motor and igniter testing. This role is strongly hands-on and centered on test readiness, procedural rigor, and operational safety, ensuring reliable, repeatable, and compliant testing of energetic propulsion systems. The ideal candidate has first hands on experience owning test campaigns from student teams or similar.

What You’ll Do

· Support the planning, coordination, and execution of solid rocket motor and igniter test campaigns

· Support the test conductor during live firings, coordinating personnel, enforcing safety zones, making technical decisions to ensure test objectives are achieved, and responding to off-nominal or abort conditions

· Support the definition and validation of instrumentation and data acquisition requirements to ensure test objectives are met.

· Oversee test setup integration, inspection, dry runs, and functional verifications of motors, igniters, firing circuits, and safety interlocks.

· Support test anomaly, misfire, or incident investigations, including root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions.

· Produce high-quality test documentation, including test plans, risk assessments, test reports, and lessons learned.

· Collaborate closely with propulsion, mechanical, electrical, software, and systems engineers to ensure alignment between test objectives, design maturity, and operational constraints.

· Support the development and improvement of test infrastructure, firing stands, remote operations, and safety systems for solid rocket motor testing.

Requirements

What You’ll Need

· BSc. or MSc. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.

· Ideally, you bring 1-2 years of experience in a student team working on rocket propulsion

· Strong understanding of rocket propulsion is required, with experience specifically in solid rocket motors considered a plus

· Experience in propulsion testing, such as static firing or ignition system validation, is a strong plus.

· First experience in test planning, procedural definition, and hands-on test execution.

· Familiarity with propulsion test instrumentation and data acquisition systems is a plus

· Ability to operate calmly and decisively during time-critical ignition and firing operations.

· Strong communication skills, with the ability to lead test activities and coordinate multidisciplinary teams.

· Proactive, ownership-driven mindset with strong problem-solving capabilities.

· Ability to work autonomously and as part of a fast-paced, multidisciplinary development team.

· Fluency in English is required; German is a plus.