Senior Propulsion Design Engineer I

Job Type

Full-time

Agile Space Industries is a rapidly growing supplier of propulsion hardware and engineering services for the space industry. Headquartered in Durango, Colorado, with expanding operations in and Tulsa, Oklahoma, and upcoming growth in Seattle, Washington, Agile has achieved more than 40% year-over-year growth for the past three years, and our momentum continues to accelerate.

Agile Space Industries is seeking an experienced Senior Propulsion Design Engineer I who will lead the design, development, and optimization of propulsion components and sub-systems. This role requires sound working knowledge of fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer to develop and analyze propulsion components. The ideal candidate for this role will also be able to support and interpret hot-fire test data to recommend design modification of sub-assemblies.

Agile follows a fast-paced culture and the ideal candidate will have the opportunity for growth and increased sphere of influence as part their career progression. Critical skillsets being sought after are ability to work autonomously, prioritize competing tasks, and take initiative in a high-cadence environment.

• Leads the design of propulsion components and sub-assemblies (e.g., injectors, combustion chambers, valve interfaces) with minimal supervision.
• Performs component and subsystem-level trade studies to balance performance, manufacturability, and cost.
• Supports test planning, execution, and data reduction for component-level test campaigns.
• Conducts independent root-cause investigation for design or test anomalies and proposes corrective actions.
• Develops and reviews engineering drawings and tolerance stacks for sub-assemblies; contributes to design review packages (e.g., PDR/CDR-level content) for assigned components.
• Supports planning for component-level work packages, contributing scope and schedule input for small initiatives.
• Provides design and technical guidance to junior engineer teammates.
• Develops manufacturing planning for propulsion sub-assemblies, ensuring designs are producible and testable.
• Support in preparation of formal presentations and reports for customer communication and gated product development reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.)
• Utilize Solid Works CAD for design of components and/or assemblies.

• B.S. or higher degree in related engineering or technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in propulsion design engineering. Working knowledge of fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer as applied to propulsion hardware.
• Thrives in a fast-growing, high-cadence environment, taking full accountability for propulsion deliverables.
• Demonstrated experience independently designing components for liquid rocket engines or similar propulsion hardware.
• Ability to work autonomously, prioritize competing tasks, and take initiative in a high-cadence environment as well as work through some level of ambiguity on certain tasks.
• Proficient with CAD (Solid Works preferred) and basic analysis tools (e.g., ANSYS, hand calculations).
• Demonstrated ability to mentor or guide junior engineers.
• Possess a mindset of developing hardware for a manufacturing production environment.

• Experience with monopropellant engines or regenerative or fuel-film cooling in bipropellant engines.
• Experience with rocket engine injector design.
• Exposure to additive manufacturing or other advanced manufacturing processes for propulsion hardware.
• Experience supporting hot-fire or component-level test campaigns.
• Experience working in regulated industries (e.g., aerospace, defense).

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer

Exempt

Full-Time

This is an onsite role based in Durango, Colorado. Durango offers a rare combination of meaningful aerospace work and exceptional quality of life, with access to world-class skiing, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, rafting, and a vibrant mountain-town community. Relocation?assistance?is available for qualified candidates.

The expected salary range for this role is $116,000 – $145,000 annually. Final…