Propulsion Systems Engineer I

York Spaces Systems•Greenwood Village, CO

About The Position

The Propulsion Systems Engineer is responsible for supporting the integration, test, and flight operation of spacecraft propulsion systems. You will work directly with propulsion hardware, suppliers, test teams, and spacecraft subsystem engineers to make sure propulsion units are understood, integrated correctly, tested thoroughly, and ready to fly. The work is hands-on and execution-focused. You will be expected to learn quickly, identify problems early, communicate clearly, and take ownership of assigned technical work. This is not a propulsion analysis-only role. You will be involved in supplier hardware reviews, spacecraft integration, functional testing, environmental test support, verification, launch preparation, and on-orbit operations support.

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
Ability to understand and work from engineering drawings, requirements documents, interface control documents, test procedures, and technical reports.
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

Nice To Haves

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

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
Assist with 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