Early Career Spaceflight Hardware Propulsion Engineer

About the Role

This is an opportunity for an Early Career Spaceflight Hardware Propulsion Engineer to join a passionate and diverse team focused on human space exploration and delivering systems that enable the exploration of space.

Key Responsibilities

• Apply fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, materials, structures, and machine-design principles to propulsion and spacecraft pressure systems.
• Support the design and analysis of propulsion-system components and assemblies.
• Perform or review fluid-flow, pressure-system, thermodynamic, and thermal analyses.
• Develop models, calculations, and data-analysis tools using Python, MATLAB, or similar engineering software.
• Develop or review engineering drawings and three-dimensional models using CAD software.
• Support system architecture studies and technical trade assessments.
• Assist with the selection of materials, components, fabrication methods, and assembly processes.
• Participate in propulsion-hardware assembly and integration, including work in laboratory or cleanroom-like environments.
• Support component- and system-level test planning, execution, and data analysis.
• Assist with acceptance, qualification, environmental, and space-representative testing.
• Review test data, technical reports, drawings, requirements, and verification documents.
• Help investigate hardware anomalies, nonconformances, and unexpected test results.
• Support the preparation and closure of action items, variances, hazard reports, change documentation, and other certification products.
• Assess how component designs, changes, or anomalies may affect the propulsion system or spacecraft.
• Support compliance with pressure-system safety, hardware cleanliness, and contamination-control requirements.
• Assist with propulsion-system integration into spacecraft or test vehicles.
• Participate in mission simulations, vehicle checkouts, console activities, or flight operations as assigned.
• Coordinate technical work with engineers, technicians, analysts, project personnel, suppliers, and contractor organizations.
• Prepare and present clear technical status updates, analyses, and recommendations.
• Travel to supplier, test, integration, launch, or program locations when required.
• Perform other duties as required.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
• Foundational knowledge of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics.
• Foundational knowledge of mechanical systems and engineering materials.
• Ability to apply engineering principles to technical problems.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, requirements, test procedures, and engineering data.
• Familiarity with engineering analysis, programming, or data-processing tools.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly in writing and verbally.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary and collaborative teams.
• Willingness to participate in both analytical and hands-on engineering activities.
• Ability to learn unfamiliar systems, software tools, and engineering processes.
• Willingness to move among branch assignments as organizational priorities change.
• Ability to work safely and maintain technical discipline in laboratory, test, integration, and operational environments.
• Ability and willingness to travel when required by the assignment.

Preferences

• Academic, internship, research, or professional experience involving propulsion, fluid systems, pressure systems, thermal systems, or spacecraft hardware.
• Familiarity with Python, MATLAB, or comparable analysis tools.
• Familiarity with CAD software, including Creo or a comparable platform.
• Experience collecting, processing, reducing, or interpreting test data.
• Experience with laboratory testing, hardware assembly, or prototype development.
• Familiarity with valves, regulators, tanks, filters, sensors, pressure vessels, or fluid-system components.
• Familiarity with aerospace materials, manufacturing, and fabrication methods.
• Exposure to acceptance, qualification, thermal-vacuum, vibration, or other environmental testing.
• Familiarity with requirements verification, hazard analysis, configuration management, or flight-hardware certification.
• Interest in human spaceflight, small-spacecraft development, or spacecraft mission operations.

Compensation

• Salary starts at $64,600.

Work Environment

• Generally, an office environment, but can involve inside or outside work depending on task.
• Work may involve sitting or standing for extended periods (90% of time).
• May require lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs. (5% of time).
• Attendance in accordance with established work schedule is critical.
• Ability to work outside normal schedule and adjust schedule to meet peak periods and surge requirements.

Additional Information

• Proof of U.S. Citizenship or US Permanent Residency may be a requirement.
• Must be able to complete a U.S. government background investigation.