Associate, Propulsion Test Engineer (early career)

Position Summary

We are seeking a resilient, high-energy Propulsion Test Engineer to own end-to-end test execution for a bipropellant engine/propulsion assembly—from translating requirements into test objectives and plans through test article integration, stand readiness, checkouts, hot-fire/qualification testing, anomaly resolution, and flight/acceptance readiness.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end propulsion test execution, from requirements flow down and test strategy through test article integration, stand readiness, hot-fire/qualification/acceptance testing, anomaly resolution, and flight readiness
• Serve as technical authority on test architecture and readiness, including instrumentation & DAQ, test stand interfaces/GSE, propellant loading/pressurization, chill down/thermal conditioning, purges/venting, ignition sequencing, controls, and safety systems
• Develop and maintain test plans, procedures, and verification matrices (ATP/OTP/qualification/acceptance), including success criteria, constraints, and configuration baselines
• Lead and support test readiness activities (TRR/FRR) including hazard analyses, permit/compliance requirements, FMEA inputs, checklists, and go/no-go criteria
• Lead and participate in test trade studies, instrumentation selection, stand upgrades, operating envelopes, control logic, acceptance limits and coordinate subassembly integration and fit checks
• Conduct test operations: briefings, procedural compliance, real-time decision-making, and safe conduct of hazardous testing
• Own anomaly response and closure: lead troubleshooting, root-cause investigations, corrective actions, and retest plans; drive disposition through configuration control
• Perform data reduction, correlation, and performance reconstruction — steady-state and transient — including model validation and requirements compliance verification
• Manage vendor and supplier interfaces for test hardware/GSE/DAQ/instrumentation on cost, schedule, manufacturing, calibration, and verification deliverables

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related Engineering discipline required; advanced degree preferred
• Relevant experience in propulsion test, test engineering, or propulsion development with significant hot-fire operations exposure
• Experience planning and executing propulsion test campaigns, including requirements flow down to test objectives, procedure development, readiness reviews, constraints management, and post-test reporting
• Hands-on experience with hot-fire test operations: test stand/GSE interfaces, propellant handling and loading, purge/vent systems, ignition sequencing, controls, and safe conduct of test
• Strong fundamentals in thermodynamics, compressible flow, heat transfer, combustion, and fluid dynamics; working knowledge of analysis and test-correlation toolsets such as ANSYS, Easy5, GFSSP, etc.
• Expertise in instrumentation and DAQ: sensor selection (pressure/temperature/flow/strain/accel), calibration practices, sampling/aliasing considerations, wiring/layout, and data integrity best practices
• Demonstrated sound judgment and proactive problem-solving including anomaly response, root-cause investigations, and corrective-action closure

Requirements

• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Grit, passion for space and the mission, entrepreneurial, growth mindset, perseverance, resourcefulness, adaptability
• Executes priorities with precision and pace, high EQ and ability to collaborate within teams and cross-functionally, tech-savvy in using systems and tools to move faster and smarter, excellent written and verbal communication skills

Competencies

• Accountability, Sense of Urgency, Extreme Ownership, Execution and Delivery, Efficiency, Effectiveness

Physical Requirements

• Work may involve sitting or standing for extended periods (90% of the time)
• May require lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs. (5% of the time)
• Standard office equipment (PC, phone, printer, etc.)