Propulsion Systems Engineer I

Responsibilities

• Support integration of commercial propulsion systems into spacecraft buses
• Develop and maintain understanding of assigned propulsion hardware, including operating modes, power requirements, command and telemetry interfaces, thermal limits, handling constraints, and fault responses
• Review supplier documentation including ICDs, drawings, test reports, qualification data, acceptance data packages, user manuals, and nonconformance reports
• Support definition and tracking of propulsion requirements, interfaces, verification methods, risks, and open technical issues
• Work with electrical, software, mechanical, thermal, GNC, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, test, and mission operations teams to resolve integration issues
• Aid in propulsion interface definition, including power, harnessing, inhibits, grounding, command and telemetry, mechanical mounting, thermal constraints, and operational limits
• Develop and execute propulsion test procedures, test scripts, checkouts, and verification activities
• Support vehicle-level functional testing, environmental testing, integrated system testing, and mission simulations
• Troubleshoot propulsion-related issues during integration and test and support root-cause investigations
• Participate in technical meetings with propulsion suppliers and drive assigned actions to closure
• Support propulsion hardware acceptance reviews and verification of delivered data packages
• Maintain accurate technical documentation, test records, interface definitions, and engineering status
• Support launch-site preparation, commissioning planning, and on-orbit operations as required

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, systems engineering, or another relevant technical discipline
• Engineering internship, academic project, laboratory, student spacecraft, rocketry, robotics, or early-career experience involving complex hardware systems
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional engineering environment
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage assigned work independently, raise issues early, and follow tasks through completion

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with spacecraft systems, propulsion, fluid systems, thermal systems, electrical power, controls, test engineering, or orbital mechanics
• Experience with hands-on hardware integration, lab testing, environmental testing, manufacturing, or vehicle assembly
• Familiarity with requirements management, verification, configuration management, risk tracking, or technical documentation
• Experience with CubeSat, launch vehicle, UAV, defense, automotive, robotics, or other high-reliability hardware programs
• Experience using Python, MATLAB, CAD tools, data analysis tools, or test automation tools
• Familiarity with electric propulsion, chemical propulsion, cold-gas systems, or spacecraft maneuver operations