Senior Engineer; Engineer III​/Principal Engineer; Engineer IV – Propulsion

Rockville, MD or Hawthorne, CA

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high‑mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability.

Senior Engineer III / Principal Engineer IV – Propulsion Systems

• Lead the development of advanced propellant tanks or spacecraft propulsion systems from concept through flight qualification and mission operations.
• Provide technical leadership across design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, integration, qualification, and flight support activities.
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver mission‑critical hardware on schedule and within program objectives.
• Serve as the technical authority for propulsion system architecture, subsystem design, and component development.
• Conduct propulsion trade studies and system architecture evaluations to optimize spacecraft performance, reliability, and operational flexibility.
• Drive technical program execution, risk‑reduction strategies, development planning, and long‑range technology roadmaps.
• Support customer engagements, executive program reviews, technical interchange meetings, and design reviews.
• Mentor and develop engineers across multiple disciplines while promoting technical excellence and engineering best practices.
• Lead resolution of complex technical and programmatic issues throughout the spacecraft development lifecycle.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen propulsion engineering processes, technical standards, and organizational capabilities.

• Bachelor's, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of relevant aerospace or propulsion engineering experience.
• Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary engineering teams through complex spacecraft development programs.
• Experience managing technical schedules, budgets, and program execution.
• Recognized subject matter expert with experience influencing technical direction across programs or organizations.
• Leadership experience on low‑ to medium‑complexity propulsion or spacecraft development efforts.
• Strong engineering judgment and decision‑making skills.
• Experience managing technical schedules, program execution, and engineering priorities.

• Design, analysis, fabrication, testing, and integration of spacecraft propellant tanks.
• Pressure vessel design standards, structural qualification, and range safety compliance.
• Propellant management techniques for microgravity environments, including slosh dynamics.
• Tank fabrication and welding processes, including weld evaluation and quality assurance.
• Design, analysis, fabrication, integration, testing, and operation of spacecraft propulsion systems.
• Spacecraft pressure systems, propulsion architecture, and range safety requirements.
• Integration of propulsion systems with spacecraft avionics, structures, thermal, power, and mission systems.
• Experience with chemical and electric propulsion technologies, propulsion components, and spacecraft propulsion architectures.
• Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T) activities supporting spacecraft propulsion subsystem verification and vehicle integration.

• 3+ years leading engineering teams developing spacecraft propulsion systems or propellant tanks.
• Experience supporting fast‑paced aerospace, defense, or commercial space programs.
• Systems engineering experience including requirements development, interface management, verification, and validation planning.
• Experience applying Lean Six Sigma, project management methodologies, or continuous improvement practices.
• Experience utilizing AI‑enabled engineering, modeling, or design optimization tools.
• Experience leading rapid hardware development programs from prototype through flight qualification.
• Broad spacecraft systems knowledge beyond propulsion, including power, structures, avionics, thermal, or GNC.
• Subject matter expertise in spacecraft propulsion components such as valves, regulators, thrusters, pressure vessels, feed systems, or fluid control devices.

• Ownership…