New Graduate Engineer, Mechanical

Key Responsibilities

Test Operations

• Develop and execute tests at the engine and component level to evaluate hardware performance and survivability during the mission.
• Manage test campaigns, including test plan creation, new system activation, test operations, data review, and test stand equipment design/fabrication.
• Provide daily directions and instructions to technicians for fabricating and integrating test articles and stand equipment.
• Develop and maintain test procedures, sequences, scripts, configuration files, and software.
• Operate and troubleshoot data acquisition and control systems, wiring, and instrumentation (primarily National Instruments-based DAQ systems).
• Operate and troubleshoot fluid and mechanical systems, including low to high-pressure gaseous working fluids, rocket propellants (hypergols & cryogenics), structural components, and supporting infrastructure.
• Operate mechanical systems such as test stand support structures, heat exchangers, vacuum pumps, tooling, and fluid components (valves, reliefs, burst disks, tubing).
• Automate repetitive test operations to increase efficiency and safety.
• Develop innovative processes to increase testing capability and rates while maintaining high rigor of safety.
• Identify and characterize system pitfalls and potential hazards, then collaborate with design engineers on improvements for test stands and flight hardware.

Ground Support Equipment

• Analyze, design, and build systems supporting testing of fully integrated flight vehicles, individual rocket engines, and rocket components.
• Drive cradle-to-grave ownership of engineering projects through design reviews, decision justifications, equipment procurement, and coordination/participation in construction.
• Work directly with technicians to build designs and resolve real-world problems.
• Maintain a tight feedback loop with the test operations team to rapidly alter plans and meet tight testing deadlines.
• Operate and troubleshoot equipment to achieve testing objectives and iterate system designs for improved performance and maintenance.
• Evaluate complex engineering needs and develop solutions for seemingly impractical problems supporting test programs.
• Take a hands-on approach to tackle rapidly emerging field projects.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or physics.
• 1+ years of mechanical and/or fluids engineering experience via project team, research, internships, and/or professional experience.
• Graduating with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or PhD in 2026 or 2027.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Strong fundamental understanding and intuition for fluid, structural, or mechanical systems.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving in stressful, dynamic situations.
• Positive responses and outcomes to challenges posed by short deadlines.
• Hands-on build—machining, welding, and other fabrication techniques are a plus.
• Creativity to imagine and design for reliability, efficiency, and maintainability.
• Driven approach to addressing challenges and opportunities—an enthusiastic, self-motivated, positive, can-do attitude.
• Ability to determine the best solution among several options, balancing cost/schedule/complexity.
• Acute attention to detail and ability to see interactions with related systems to avoid problems.
• Instrumentation and testing, data review and analysis, verification of models against reality.
• High-pressure or cryogenic fluid systems and components.
• Complex structural or mechanical systems and components.
• Design verification with simplified hand calculations and complex modeling—FEA or CFD is a plus.
• Production of fabrication drawings for parts to be machined or welded.
• Intermediate skill level using CAD—Siemens NX is a plus.
• ASME piping and pressure vessel design.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• 3+ years of engineering design experience in an industrial setting or equivalent.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, take individual initiative, and communicate effectively with peers, leadership, and customers.
• Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while maintaining a high sense of urgency in a fast-paced, challenging work environment.
• Willingness to perform other related duties for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment.
• Availability to respond to emergencies to support priority projects, missions, and launches.
• Availability to work extended hours and weekends as needed; flexibility is required.
• Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting the upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings, and climbing hand over hand.
• Ability to lift heavy objects unassisted—up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to work at elevated heights with proper PPE—up to 300 ft.
• Ability to work in extreme outdoor environments when needed—heat, cold, wind, rain, etc.
• Ability to work in environments with exposure to fumes, odors, and noise.
• Working conditions may be in tight quarters; physical dexterity is required.

ITAR Requirements

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.