Chemical Propulsion Systems Engineer II

Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus  ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

This opportunity is part of the Mechanical and Control Systems Division (3500) , which engages in research, technology development, and the creation of advanced mechanical, robotics, guidance & control, thermal, propulsion, and electronic packaging systems. We develop hardware and systems from early architecture through design, fabrication, subsystem and system-level integration and test.

As a Level II Propulsion Systems Engineer, you will be working for the Thermal, Propulsion, and Materials Engineering Section (353) , which provides leadership and unique world-class expertise in a wide range of technologies and technical discipline areas, including chemical and electric propulsion, thermal, materials, contamination control, analytical chemistry, and multiphase flow. This section is responsible for design, analysis, fabrication, testing, integration and operations of thermal and propulsion flight systems for JPL missions.

This section is also responsible for providing materials and process engineering, contamination control engineering, materials testing, and analytical chemistry support to technology and flight programs. You will be a member of the Chemical Propulsion Systems Group (353C) and will report to the Group Supervisor.

We are seeking an adaptable, high-energy professional who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced setting and is comfortable navigating ambiguity. The ideal candidate possesses a risk-tolerant mindset, viewing challenges as opportunities to innovate, and excels in an evolving environment where decisiveness and agility are key to our collective success.

• Perform various spacecraft chemical propulsion subsystem static and transient analyses, such as flow-pressure drop, system sizing, blowdown, and waterhammer.
• Update, optimize and improve existing analysis tools and system models.
• Generate documentation and user's manuals for in-house created analysis tools and models.
• Develop and execute ground tests to validate and anchor analysis models, including analyzing and reducing the test data.
• Collaborate closely with the propulsion team to assist and provide analysis peer checks as well as providing systems design inputs.
• Prepare and communicate analysis methodology, assumptions, analytical and test result presentations to the team, the project and management.
• Support propulsion flight hardware deliveries and interface with external component vendors.
• Contribute and support propulsion system assembly, integration and test (I&T) activities.

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering or related technical discipline with a minimum of 3 years of related experience;
  Master’s degree with a minimum of 1 year related experience
• Educational background with strong fundamentals and/or demonstrated work experience in the application of advanced compressible & in compressible fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, and rocket propulsion principles for propulsion systems.
• Experience with…