Senior Propulsion Engineer

Job Description

Strategic ACI is seeking a Senior Propulsion Engineer. This position will support a broad range of work involving the guidance, navigation, propulsion, control, software, modeling, and simulation of rocket-propelled aerospace vehicles.

The selected candidate will be responsible for addressing customer inquiries related to propulsion systems, including liquid rocket engines and solid rocket motors. Additionally, the candidate will be expected to formally respond to these inquiries through technical reports based on professional experience, background research, professional propulsion databases, rudimentary design analyses, and other technical resources.

The candidate must be able to work autonomously with minimal guidance. On occasion, the candidate will also be expected to contribute to collaborative technical reporting for our customers.

Required:

• Willing to relocate to Dayton, Ohio.
• TS/SCI Eligibility.
• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited university.
• 5+ years of demonstrable experience in the design, testing, or evaluation of propulsion systems or fluid mechanical systems.
• Formal education or training in the following propulsion-related topics:
  • Thermodynamics, with an emphasis on thermal and chemical equilibrium
  • Stoichiometry
  • Quasi-one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) compressible flow
  • Basic rocket nozzle design theory
  • Structural mechanics
  • Classical mechanics
• Demonstrable proficiency in scientific computing for mechanical or aerospace engineering analyses using one or more programming languages (e.g., C, C++, Fortran, Python, MATLAB).

Desired:

• Masters degree in Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited university, with an emphasis on chemical rocket propulsion.
• Eight (8) or more years of professional experience in the design, testing, or evaluation of propulsion systems, with an emphasis on liquid rocket engines or solid rocket motors.
• Professional experience utilizing propulsion databases maintained by JANNAF.
• Proven capability using engineering software to analyze the performance of chemical propellants (e.g., NASA's Chemical Equilibrium with Applications (CEA)).
• Professional experience applying the following propulsion and fluid mechanics topics:
  • Fluid measurement instrumentation (e.g., pressure transducers, flow meters, thermocouples)
  • Combustion of liquid and solid propellants
  • Performance analysis of chemical propellants
  • For solid rocket motors: igniter design, propellant grain design, and structural analysis of propellant grains and rocket cases
  • For liquid rocket engines: interpretation of propulsion system flow diagrams, injector design, feed systems, coolant systems, and identification and management of pressure losses
• Professional experience collaborating with other engineers to assess total vehicle performance with respect to each subsystem.