Senior Engineer – Multimode Propulsion

Where You’ll Make an Impact

• Perform trade studies and technical evaluation to drive spacecraft and propulsion system architecture decisions
• Identify and implement relevant chemical reactions and decomposition processes
• Design, build, and test propellant conversion and associated fluid delivery systems, with required thermal considerations and management
• Own and execute hardware development across the full product lifecycle, including requirements definition, design, component and material selection, analysis, build, test, and flight support
• Serve as a technical contributor and mentor within a cross-disciplinary engineering team
• Collaborate closely with systems, design engineering, manufacturing, test, and operations teams to deliver flight-ready hardware on an aggressive schedule

What It Takes

• BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related science or engineering field
• 7+ years R&D engineering experience, with sustained ownership of complex hardware development
• Experience in design of fluidic systems and components, including liquid and gas phase
• Working knowledge of heat transfer and design practices for active heating design, thermal management, and fluidics management
• Working knowledge or ability to quickly learn about chemical decomposition reactions (e.g. thermal, catalytic)
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving R&D environment

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Experience with chemical propulsion (CP) and electric propulsion (EP), including relevant propellants
• Experience with material compatibility assessment, including fluid-surface material interactions, to guide materials selection and technical risk reduction
• Experience with CAD tools and configuration-controlled hardware development
• Fielded space hardware (design principles, relevant standards, flight qualification, full product lifecycle)

What You’ll Get

• Leadership – Technical leadership and ownership for critical enabling technology
• Innovation – Develop, build, and test next generation spacecraft propulsion systems
• Impact – See your work fly on unique, high-profile missions
• Growth – Opportunities to lead, mentor, and grow technical depth and breadth
• Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity participation.

Location

Rockville, MD

Compensation

$130,000 to $185,000 Annual Salary Depending on Experience

Additional Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.