Propulsion Engineering Lead

AscendArc • Beaverton, OR

1d • $170,000 - $200,000

About The Position

Come join us in shaping the future! Get on the ground floor as an early member of our Bus & Electronics team as a Propulsion Engineering Lead developing a revolutionary satellite communications system. Connect the vision to the hardware, build it, test it and fly it. AscendArc is a startup founded to revolutionize the satellite communications industry. We are looking for doers who want to work in a ground-breaking and fast-paced environment. Our success will depend on your energy, skill, and creativity.

Requirements

• 8+ years of spacecraft propulsion experience and B.S. or M.S. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering
• Direct experience with electric propulsion (Hall-effect or gridded ion), xenon feed systems, and PPU integration
• Demonstrated ownership of propulsion verification — defining test requirements, specifying test systems/GSE, and analyzing and accepting test results
• Familiarity with EOR and station-keeping delta-V analysis for GEO missions, and with correlating in-orbit propulsion performance against predictions
• Experience driving propulsion supplier selection and procurement of long-lead propulsion hardware
• Working knowledge of pressure-vessel (COPV) and propulsion safety considerations

Responsibilities

• Accountable for the end-to-end performance of the propulsion subsystem — from architecture through test to demonstrated in-orbit results.
• Own the electric propulsion architecture for a full-EP GEO spacecraft, including the propellant feed system, thruster integration (Hall-effect class), and PPU integration.
• Drive propulsion supplier selection and the release of long-lead propulsion procurement.
• Define the propulsion test requirements, specify the test system and ground support equipment needed to execute them, oversee test execution at supplier and system level, and own the analysis and acceptance of the test results.
• Own the EOR/station-keeping delta-V strategy and the propulsion analyses that support it.
• Carry ownership through to orbit — assessing in-orbit propulsion performance against predictions and closing the loop back to the models.
• Work closely with Structures (propulsion mechanical), GNC, Power, Systems, and the AIT and mission operations teams.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior