Senior Propulsion Engineer
Role
You will work directly on all aspects of propulsion systems for spacecraft, from component and system sizing through specification, procurement, integration, test, and mission operations. You report to the Propulsion Lead as part of a joint propulsion team including the Mojave office.
Responsibilities
- Lead and support the design of new propulsion systems for spacecraft
- Coordinate between program management and other spacecraft subsystems to assess design progress, schedule, and risks
- Create conceptual and detailed designs of hypergol-based propulsion systems including tanks, valves, instrumentation, engines, and pressurization systems
- Perform high-level trade studies to incorporate propulsion into the flight vehicle architecture and integrate with structures, GNC, thermal, integration and test, and mission operations
- Build and run propulsion system fluid-thermal models to guide design and operational decisions
- Manage suppliers: develop component specifications, review manufacturing processes, and verify requirements via test and analysis
- Create integration instructions and provide support during spacecraft assembly in the cleanroom
- Contribute to technical readiness and safety reviews for testing activities
- Write mission operations procedures and provide real-time mission operations support
- Write and present technical reports
Required Skills and Experience
- 8+ years in propulsion system design, analysis, manufacture, integration, and test
- Senior-level experience with hypergolic propulsion systems
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate a technical team aligned to a common goal
- Knowledge of propulsion system architecture, best practices, components, and suppliers
- Experience with fluid system design and analysis software
- Decision making with informed risk to balance quality, cost, and schedule
- Component specification, vendor management, and requirements verification for valves, pressure vessels, pumps, thrusters, and instrumentation
- Ability to drive technical rigor in engineering design and verification to meet quality requirements
- Performance of risk assessment and management processes
- Prioritization of safety for people and equipment
- Familiarity with systems engineering processes
- Familiarity with propulsion system and spacecraft cleanliness standards
Desired Skills and Experience
- Experience with space and lunar systems, environments, and design considerations
- Experience with hypergolic fluids handling and safety (hands-on preferred)
- Familiarity with cryogenic propellants
- Specific expertise in Thermal Desktop and Amesim for fluid-thermal modeling
- Analytical and scientific programming (Python, C/C++, Matlab, Fortran)
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (Ansys FLUENT or CFX)
- Familiarity with aerospace standards
- Familiarity with explosive hazard calculations
- Knowledge of propellant mixing, temperature control, and combustion chemistry
- Understanding of pressure vessel specifications and requirements
- Knowledge of Range Safety and Ground Safety requirements and system safety processes
- Test facility design, assembly, and operation