Propulsion Development Engineer

Varda Space Industries • El Segundo, CA

105d • $135,000 - $175,000

About The Position

As a Propulsion Development Engineer at Varda, you will be responsible for development of chemical propulsion engines for Varda’s spacecraft. You will have ownership over designs from a clean sheet through architecture definition, detail design, build, test, and deployment. You will coordinate with teams of engineers within and external to Propulsion in support of delivering hardware that satisfies system requirements. We are looking to optimize our propulsion system for our current and future generation space vehicles.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in an applicable technical field, such as Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, etc.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in rocket engine development
• Understanding of combustion device design and analysis - at least 1 of the following: Combustion chamber cooling techniques such as regenerative cooling or film cooling, Performance prediction methodologies, Thermo-structural analysis, Injector configuration selection, sizing, and design
• Familiarity with typical propulsion materials and manufacturing techniques
• Experience with spacecraft propellants
• Willingness and ability to take ownership of problems and drive projects to completion
• Ability to adapt and thrive in a dynamic highly technical environment

Nice To Haves

• 8+ years of experience in rocket engine development
• 2+ years of experience as an engine lead or combustion devices lead
• In-space propulsion experience
• Extensive engine development test experience with multiple break-fix cycles

Responsibilities

• Lead development of chemical propulsion engines
• Perform engine sizing analysis and define configuration from a clean sheet
• Generate and own project plans, including determining development milestones, critical tasking of team members, and on-time execution
• Manage definition of interfaces between propulsion hardware and the vehicle
• Develop and execute the verification plan
• Act as on-console RE for hazardous testing
• Perform design analysis as necessary

Benefits

• Exciting team of professionals at the top of their field working by your side
• Equity in a fully funded space startup with potential for significant growth (interns excluded)
• 401(k) matching (interns excluded)
• Unlimited PTO (interns excluded)
• Health insurance, including Vision and Dental
• Lunch and snacks provided on site every day. Dinners provided twice a week.
• Maternity / Paternity leave (interns excluded)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees