Propulsion & Effects Engineer

Mercor

. Write challenging single-turn prompts in the propulsion and effects domain .

Posted 9/19/2026contractRemote • United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $65 - $75 per hourWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in propulsion and initiation systems design, testing, and evaluation, with a strong emphasis on technical writing and the ability to communicate complex concepts to non-specialists. Proficient in assessing model responses and distinguishing misuse scenarios within the propulsion and effects domain.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Propulsion System DesignTechnical Writing ExperienceMunitions DesignEffects EngineeringTest Range Engineering

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Propulsion System TestingTerminal Effects ModellingFuzing EngineeringSafe-and-Arm System EngineeringInitiation System EngineeringTechnical EvaluationData AnalysisPrompt WritingReference Answer DevelopmentPolicy Standard Evaluation

Soft Skills

Communication SkillsAnalytical ThinkingJudgment SkillsAttention to DetailRationale Writing

Industry Keywords

MunitionsWarhead DesignDual-Use TechnologyAdversarial AssessmentMisuse ScenariosTest Data AnalysisReal Hardware TestingExport-Controlled InformationNDA CompliancePrepublication Review

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Write challenging single-turn prompts in the propulsion and effects domain
Label prompts as benign, dual-use, or adversarial
Evaluate model responses against a defined policy standard
Judge whether responses handled technical requests correctly
Write reference answers and explain the technical reasoning behind them
Distinguish routine professional questions from requests indicating potential misuse
Sustain reading and writing about misuse scenarios in the field

Requirements

What you’ll need

Experience designing, qualifying, or testing propulsion and initiation systems with real hardware and real test data
Relevant background in munitions or warhead design and effects engineering; solid, liquid, or hybrid propulsion system design, test, and qualification; terminal effects modelling; fuzing, safe-and-arm, and initiation system engineering; or test range engineering and instrumentation for propulsion or ordnance
Technical writing experience, published research, or expert witness experience is strongly preferred
Include a technical writing sample or link
Ability to write rationales understandable to non-specialists
Must not use classified, export-controlled, NDA-covered, or prepublication-review information
Must disclose such obligations so the work can be scoped accordingly

Benefits

Comp & perks

Up to $250 for each successful referral
Reasonable accommodations upon request
Ability to pause or step away from misuse-scenario work at any point without penalty