Liquid Propulsion Engineer Verified today

About the role

The Liquid Propulsion Engineer is responsible for the design, development, analysis, integration, testing, and production support of liquid propulsion systems and hardware for aerospace, defense, and national security applications. You will report to the Engineering Manager.

What you will do

• Design, develop, and support liquid propulsion systems, components, and subsystems from concept through qualification, production, and fielded operation.
• Perform propulsion engineering analyses and trade studies related to combustion, fluid flow, thermodynamics, heat transfer, pressure, loads, performance, and system sizing.
• Develop and maintain engineering models, calculations, analyses, drawings, specifications, interfaces, bills of materials, and other configuration-controlled technical documentation.
• Support the design and development of propulsion components and fluid systems, including combustion chambers, injectors, turbomachinery, valves, regulators, feed systems, tanks, manifolds, pressurization systems, and associated hardware as applicable.
• Support propulsion hardware integration, component testing, subsystem testing, qualification, acceptance testing, and hot-fire test activities; analyze test data and support troubleshooting and failure investigations.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, systems, software, materials, manufacturing, quality, test, and program teams to ensure propulsion hardware meets performance, reliability, safety, manufacturability, and schedule requirements.
• Participate in design reviews, technical planning, risk assessments, failure reviews, supplier interactions, and configuration management activities while clearly communicating technical findings and recommendations.
• Support manufacturing and production by resolving technical issues, evaluating nonconformances, developing engineering dispositions, and implementing design improvements based on analysis, testing, and lessons learned.

What we need

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering field with 4 years of relevant professional experience; OR Master's degree in a related engineering field with 2 years of relevant professional experience; OR 8 years of relevant propulsion engineering experience in lieu of a degree.
• 4-10 years of professional experience in liquid propulsion, rocket propulsion, aerospace, defense, turbomachinery, fluid systems, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Demonstrated experience applying engineering fundamentals to the design, analysis, development, testing, or integration of propulsion systems or complex fluid and thermal systems.
• Working knowledge of propulsion fundamentals, including fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, combustion, pressure systems, fluid system design, and propulsion performance.
• Experience developing engineering analyses, models, calculations, technical reports, drawings, specifications, or other engineering documentation.
• Experience supporting hardware development, integration, testing, qualification, manufacturing, or production troubleshooting in an aerospace, defense, propulsion, or other high-reliability environment.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary engineering environment and communicate technical concepts, analysis results, risks, and recommendations to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance, if required for the assigned position.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with liquid rocket propulsion systems, including cryogenic or storable propellants, pressure-fed or pump-fed architectures, injectors, combustion devices, turbopumps, valves, feed systems, or pressurization systems.
• Experience with propulsion analysis and simulation tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, Python, CFD, FEA, NPSS, or similar engineering tools, and experience with aerospace or defense standards and qualification testing.

Compensation and benefits

Base salary range: $97,000-$218,000 USD. Actual salary depends on experience, skills, and location.

• Flexible Time Off (FTO)
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with company premium contribution and many benefits paid at 100%
• Flexible gym memberships (24 Hour Fitness, EoS Fitness, Crunch Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Blink Fitness, Chuze Fitness, and others)
• 401(k) retirement plan with 50% company match on contributions up to 8%
• Company wellness programs
• Additional voluntary benefits and employee support resources

Working conditions

• Up to 10% travel, including possible overnights, to support customers, suppliers, manufacturing operations, integration and test activities, and program reviews.
• Work in office, laboratory, manufacturing, test, and propulsion test environments with mechanical, fluid, pressure, thermal, and propulsion hardware.
• Relocation assistance may be provided to qualified candidates to Mojave, CA or Long Beach, CA.