Chemical Propulsion Systems Engineer II

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

2d•$118,872 - $143,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Level II Propulsion Systems Engineer will work in JPL’s Mechanical and Control Systems Division, within the Thermal, Propulsion, and Materials Engineering Section and Chemical Propulsion Systems Group. The section supports the design, analysis, fabrication, testing, integration, and operations of thermal and propulsion flight systems for JPL missions, along with related materials, contamination control, and analytical chemistry work. The role focuses on spacecraft chemical propulsion subsystem analysis, analysis-tool development and improvement, and ground testing to validate models. The engineer will collaborate with the propulsion team, support flight hardware deliveries and assembly, integration, and test activities, and communicate technical approaches and results to project teams and management. The position calls for an adaptable professional who can work effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and navigate ambiguity.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline, with at least 3 years of related experience; or a master’s degree with at least 1 year of related experience.
Strong fundamentals and/or demonstrated work experience applying advanced compressible and incompressible fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, and rocket propulsion principles to propulsion systems.
Experience performing spacecraft propulsion subsystem analyses and creating related tools or code, such as for flow and pressure drop or test data reduction.
Ability to perform first-order hand calculations and Excel-level calculations.
Ability to clearly report and present complex analytical results to multidisciplinary teams.
Familiarity with developing, supporting, and conducting propulsion subsystem ground testing.
Demonstrated ability to create and understand fluid schematics and mechanical drawings.
Ability to work both as a team member and independently with limited supervision and general instructions.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency with programming languages, preferably MATLAB.
Hands-on experience with commercial CFD tools such as Star-CCM+ and/or ANSYS, and commercial analytical tools such as SINDA/FLUINT and/or GFSSP.
Practical experience with commercial CAD software, preferably Siemens NX and TeamCenter, and use in a Product Delivery Management (PDM) system.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
Working knowledge of designing and fabricating ground support test hardware.
Uses discretion and independent judgment when evaluating problem-solving approaches and solutions.
Excellent verbal and written technical communication skills and ability to collaborate in a team environment.

Responsibilities

Perform static and transient analyses of spacecraft chemical propulsion subsystems, including flow and pressure drop, system sizing, blowdown, and waterhammer.
Update, optimize, and improve existing analysis tools and system models.
Create documentation and user manuals for in-house analysis tools and models.
Develop and conduct ground tests to validate and anchor analysis models, and analyze and reduce test data.
Collaborate with the propulsion team on analysis peer checks and provide systems design inputs.
Prepare and communicate analysis methodologies, assumptions, and analytical and test results to the team, project, and management.
Support propulsion flight hardware deliveries and interface with external component vendors.
Contribute to and support propulsion system assembly, integration, and test activities.