Senior Research Engineer / Scientist (Ammonium Perchlorate Production)

As back-to-back winners of the 2023 and 2024 Defence Innovator of the Year, DefendTex lives and breathes its values of integrity, innovation, professionalism, passion and calculated risk-taking.

Our vision is to be a world leader in defence innovation, developing and delivering cutting-edge technologies for military and law‑enforcement communities across the globe.

We now have an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled Senior Research Engineer / Scientist to join our growing Propulsion Manufacturing team at DefendTex’s Dandenong South Facility initially, then moving to our state‑of‑the‑art Solid Rocket Motor Manufacturing Facility in Lang Lang, Victoria.

Based in this dynamic and rapidly growing regional location, the role offers the unique opportunity to contribute directly to Australia’s sovereign energetic‑materials and propulsion manufacturing capability – while enjoying the lifestyle benefits of regional living within commuting distance of Melbourne’s south‑eastern corridor.

About the Role

As a Senior Research Engineer / Scientist, you will lead the research, development, and pilot‑scale production of ammonium perchlorate (AP) through controlled plasma‑assisted and electrochemical processes. You will be responsible for designing reactors, optimising plasma and hybrid oxidation systems, developing analytical methods, and delivering scale‑up packages that underpin our next‑generation propellant manufacturing capability.

You will work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure safe, compliant, high‑performance production processes within a complex energetic‑materials environment.

Key responsibilities include :

• Design, build and commission laboratory and pilot‑scale reactors for chloride / chlorate → perchlorate conversion using non‑thermal plasma technologies (DBD, gliding arc, corona) and hybrid plasma–electrochemical systems.
• Optimise operating parameters and reactor internals to maximise ClO₄⁻ yield, energy efficiency, and process stability while minimising by‑products.
• Integrate gas‑phase plasma systems with liquid‑phase capture, crystallisation, ion‑exchange purification, and downstream electrochemical polishing.
• Develop and validate analytical protocols for oxy‑chlorine species (IC, ClOx / NOx gas analysis, TOC, pH, conductivity).
• Perform energy modelling, techno‑economic assessments, and scale‑up planning, identifying risks and mitigations.
• Lead safety documentation including SOPs, HAZOP inputs, oxidiser‑handling controls, emissions management and regulatory notifications.
• Supervise technicians and junior engineers; liaise with vendors, external labs, and engineering partners for equipment procurement, pilot build and commissioning.

About You

You are an experienced plasma, electrochemical, or chemical engineer / scientist who thrives in a hands‑on environment and enjoys tackling complex, first‑of‑kind technical challenges. You combine strong experimental capability with rigorous data analysis, safety leadership, and the drive to bring new energetic‑materials processes from lab concept to manufacturing reality.

Essential :

Desirable :

Why Us?

At DefendTex, we are committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity. We promote a workplace culture that values innovation, integrity, and collaboration – where every individual can contribute to meaningful, world‑class defence solutions.

Interested?

If you’re ready to take on a key engineering role shaping the future of Australia’s defence technology, we’d love to hear from you.

If this sounds like the role for you, please submit your resume and cover letter in the attached form, or emailing careers@defendtex.com outlining your technical experience and why you’re excited to join DefendTex. We look forward to your application.

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