Propulsion Engineer

Job Title:

Propulsion Staff Engineer - Thruster Systems

Job Description

The Propulsion Staff Engineer - Thruster Systems owns the end-to-end technical execution of bipropellant thruster systems, from requirements definition through design, build, integration, test, and flight readiness. This role leads cross‑functional teams and external suppliers to deliver high‑performance thruster hardware that meets aggressive cost and schedule targets while maintaining rigorous safety, quality, and configuration control standards. The position is ideal for a hands‑on propulsion expert who combines deep technical capability with strong leadership, clear communication, and a decisive bias toward execution and delivery.

Responsibilities

+ Own the end-to-end technical execution of bipropellant thruster systems and propellant feed systems, from requirements definition through design, build, integration, test, and flight readiness.

+ Serve as the subject matter expert for propellant feed systems, acting as the technical authority on system architecture, pressure vessels (COPVs and tanks), flow control components (valves and regulators), and instrumentation across the full development lifecycle.

+ Lead technical delivery to meet performance, safety, cost, and schedule objectives for thruster and feed system hardware.

+ Plan, assign, and coordinate work across internal team members and cross‑functional partners, leading daily standups and proactively escalating risks, issues, and blockers.

+ Develop and manage execution plans, schedules, and priorities to achieve critical program milestones for thruster and propulsion subsystems.

+ Provide technical leadership, guidance, and mentorship to early‑career engineers working on propulsion systems and related subsystems.

+ Lead and actively participate in design reviews, gate reviews, and technical forums with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring robust technical decisions and configuration control.

+ Drive trade studies, component selection, subassembly design and integration, analysis, and testing for thrusters, feed systems, and associated hardware.

+ Coordinate with suppliers on design, manufacturing, and verification activities, ensuring components meet technical, quality, and schedule requirements.

+ Apply modeling, analysis, and simulation tools to predict system performance and verify compliance with requirements, including thermal, fluid, and structural considerations.

+ Develop and execute test campaigns, including test planning, instrumentation selection, data collection, and data correlation for thrusters and propulsion components.

+ Oversee integration of propulsion components such as injectors, combustion chambers, nozzles, igniters, valves, filters, regulators, manifolds, and instrumentation into complete thruster assemblies.

+ Maintain rigorous safety, quality, and configuration control standards throughout design, build, test, and flight readiness activities.

+ Collaborate closely with propulsion engineers and multidisciplinary teams to support station and next‑generation space station programs.

Essential Skills

+ 10+ years of experience as a Propulsion Engineer.

+ 10+ years of relevant experience in spacecraft or launch vehicle propulsion, with demonstrated depth in thruster or liquid rocket engine design and development.

+ Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related engineering field.

+ Significant hands-on experience with engine and thruster design, development, qualification, and integration, including injectors, combustion chambers, nozzles, igniters, and thermal management interfaces.

+ Expertise in combustion, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics with demonstrated application to thruster performance and thermal analysis.

+ Experience developing and executing test campaigns, including test planning, instrumentation selection, and data correlation for propulsion systems.

+ Propulsion component experience spanning valves, filters, regulators, manifolds, and instrumentation interfacing with thruster assemblies.

+ Proficiency with 3D modeling software, with Solid Works preferred, for detailed design and…