Propulsion Engineer

• Serve as the Responsible Engineer for spacecraft propulsion subsystems across one or more spacecraft programs
• Define propulsion subsystem requirements including thrust capability, delta-V budgets, propellant capacity, maneuver timelines, and mission lifetime margins
• Perform system level trade studies, design optimization, and performance modeling, to evaluate propulsion technologies and supplier solutions aligned to mission needs
• Lead propulsion supplier evaluation, selection, and technical oversight throughout the program lifecycle
• Develop subsystem specifications, interface control documents (ICDs), and verification plans for propulsion systems
• Coordinate closely with Mission Analysis and GNC teams to ensure maneuver planning and propulsion capabilities are aligned
• Ensure propulsion subsystem interfaces with spacecraft avionics, power systems, structures, thermal and software are properly defined and integrated
• Develop propulsion test plans and support or execute hot fire, pressure, and environmental tests
• Support propulsion subsystem integration, system-level testing, and anomaly resolution during integration and test campaigns
• Contribute to hazard analyses, fault management strategies, and safety of operations processes
• Participate in subsystem and system-level design reviews including SRR, PDR, CDR, and test readiness reviews
• Support technical interactions with propulsion suppliers including design reviews, performance assessments, and acceptance testing
• Contribute to propulsion operations planning including maneuver execution strategies and propellant margin management

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field, with 6+ years of experience
• Experience serving as Responsible Engineer or similar role with technical ownership of spacecraft propulsion system architecture, development, and analysis
• Experience developing propulsion subsystem requirements, specifications, and interface definitions
• Familiarity with electric and chemical propulsion systems, their differences, and trade-offs
• Experience performing ∆V budget development and propellant sizing
• US Citizen with the ability to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance
• Must be able to travel up to 20%

• Master’s or PhD in aerospace or mechanical engineering
• Experience integrating propulsion subsystems on spacecraft missions in numerous orbital regimes
• Expert understanding of electric propulsion systems (e.g., Hall-effect, ion), chemical propulsion systems (monopropellant, bipropellant), and dual-mode propulsion solutions
• Experience performing mission maneuver analysis, delta-V budgeting, and propellant mass estimation
• Experience with performance modeling (CEA-equilibrium for chemical, EP thruster curve fits), duty cycles, life models, thermal/structural margins, and fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) strategies for autonomous operations
• Experience using spacecraft industry modeling tools such as STK, GMAT, MATLAB, Python, Ansys Fluent, Monte Carlo mission simulations, or custom propulsion modeling environments
• Experience supporting propulsion qualification and acceptance test campaigns
• Familiarity with propulsion testing and aerospace safety practices
• Experience coordinating propulsion subsystem development with spacecraft GNC and mission operations teams
• Experience supporting propulsion supplier down select and procurement activities
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and technical communication skills
• Active U.S. Government Secret Clearance

Highly competitive benefits package