Aerospace Propulsion Design Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Reporting to the CTO, this position works on the propulsion system for the company’s maneuverable spacecraft, from concept through on-orbit operation. You work on a team to complete propulsion design, development, integration, and test, and carry the system through qualification, flight, and end of life. This is a hands-on role for an engineer who has taken an operational propulsion system from cradle to grave on a vehicle that has flown, and who can move from requirements and analysis through hot-fire and testing to on-orbit operations.

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work on the propulsion system from concept through on-orbit operation, including requirements, architecture, trades, and selection of propellant, thrusters, and feed-system components.

• Contribute to propulsion design and analysis, including thrust and delta-V budgets, feed system, tankage, propellant management, and thermal, structural, and fluid analysis.

• Develop and execute propulsion test programs, including component, hot-fire, acceptance, and environmental testing, with test plans, procedures, and data analysis.

• Lead integration and test of the propulsion system with the spacecraft, including proof and leak testing, qualification, and propellant loading procedures.

• Support launch-site processing, fueling operations, and on-orbit commissioning and operations, including anomaly resolution.

• Manage propulsion suppliers and subcontractors, and define and verify interface and acceptance requirements.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, or chemical engineering, or a related field.

• Cradle-to-grave experience on the propulsion system of a satellite or space vehicle that has flown to space or operated on orbit, from concept through operation (mandatory).

• Experience developing testing an operational propulsion system (mandatory).

• Strong propulsion engineering fundamentals, including thrust and delta-V budgets, feed systems, propellant management, and thermal and fluid analysis.

• Hands-on test experience, including hot-fire, component, and environmental testing, and test procedure development.

• U.S. Citizenship (no dual citizenship) and ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience at an in-space propulsion or orbital-transfer-vehicle company

• Familiarity with operation and high-total-impulse maneuver.

• Experience with propellant loading, pressure-system safety, and launch-site operations.

• Active or recent U.S. security clearance.

 

Compensation: Competitive salary, full company benefits, and equity for highly qualified candidates.

Location: Scottsdale, Arizona (In-person).