Sr. Propulsion Engineer, Project Sunrise Orbital Data Centers Verified today

Role Overview

As a Senior Propulsion Engineer in Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE), you will be a key technical owner responsible for the design, development, and integration of the propulsion system for a constellation of spacecraft. You will lead the analysis and trade studies of various propulsion systems to deliver a solution meeting specific mission requirements. This is a critical, hands-on role requiring deep understanding of electric propulsion and the ability to manage complex interplay between the thruster and supporting spacecraft subsystems such as power, thermal, and propellant management.

Responsibilities

• Own the design and development of the propulsion system, including flow control and propellant supply, architecting, sizing, and optimizing it for the mission application.
• Perform trade studies and analysis on various propulsion technologies to inform design decisions and future upgrades.
• Develop and manage system requirements and interface control documents for the propulsion system, ensuring compatibility with power, thermal, structural, and propellant subsystems.
• Create and maintain detailed performance models to predict on-orbit behavior, including thrust, specific impulse, and total impulse.
• Define and oversee execution of test plans to verify and validate propulsion system and component performance and lifetime.
• Collaborate closely with GNC, systems, and mission operations teams to ensure the propulsion system meets all functional and operational requirements.
• Support procurement, design, manufacturing, test, and/or integration of propulsion system hardware, including thrusters, Power Processing Units (PPUs), and propellant feed systems.
• Analyze test data and anchor system models to ensure predictive accuracy.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related discipline.
• 7 or more years of professional experience in design, analysis, or testing of spacecraft propulsion systems.
• Demonstrated experience with electric propulsion systems, including testing and/or flight experience.
• Strong understanding of subsystem interfaces and requirements (power, thermal, propellant) associated with electric propulsion.
• Strong fundamentals in plasma physics, fluid dynamics, and orbital mechanics.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in relevant engineering or physics discipline.
• Direct, hands-on experience with Hall effect thrusters.
• Experience with full lifecycle of propulsion system from concept through on-orbit operations.
• Experience with vacuum chamber testing of electric propulsion systems.
• Proficiency in scripting (Python, MATLAB) for performance modeling and data analysis.
• Familiarity with design of Power Processing Units (PPUs) and propellant feed systems.
• Experience mentoring, defining, and reviewing work of junior engineers.

Compensation

Base pay range varies by location: Colorado applicants $133,500.00 to $186,898.95; Washington applicants $145,188.00 to $203,263.20. Other site ranges may differ.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision coverage.
• Basic and supplemental life insurance.
• Paid parental leave, short and long-term disability.
• 401(k) with company match up to 5%.
• Education Support Program.
• Stock options for regular employees (20+ hours/week).
• Paid time off up to four weeks per year and 14 company-paid holidays.
• Performance bonuses (eligibility and amounts not guaranteed).

Employment Requirements

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum. Blue's Standard Background Check required for all positions. Additional background checks may apply depending on role requirements, including DBIDS if work on military installations is required.