Spacecraft Propulsion Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•El Segundo, CA

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation’s Spacecraft Propulsion section is seeking a Spacecraft Propulsion Engineer at the Senior Member of Technical Staff or Engineering Specialist level. The role performs technical evaluations and assessments of spacecraft propulsion systems for high-priority space missions. Work may span propulsion-system development, sustainment, manufacturing, testing, and operations across multiple programs. The engineer is expected to learn new technologies and systems and advise customers on critical decisions. The position supports advanced spacecraft propulsion systems for national space missions and participates in propulsion-system design, development, test, and evaluation, including propellant tanks and delivery subsystems. It includes assessing program requirements, risks, and hazards; reviewing analyses, inspections, and test products; contributing to technical and hardware reviews; evaluating chemical propulsion systems; and providing support during testing, launch, and spacecraft operations. The engineer also communicates findings and recommendations to program offices, management, and customers, and follows technical efforts related to Dynamic Space Operations and Servicing, Mobility, and Logistics. The Senior Member of Technical Staff role requires a bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline and at least five years of professional experience. The Engineering Specialist role additionally requires a master's degree or PhD in a STEM discipline and at least eight years of professional engineering or scientific experience. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain the security clearance that candidates must be able to obtain and maintain. Occasional travel to a work location or customer site is expected, approximately 10–15% of the time.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline for the Senior Member of Technical Staff role.
At least 5 years of professional experience for the Senior Member of Technical Staff role.
For the Engineering Specialist role, a master's degree or PhD in a STEM discipline and at least 8 years of professional engineering or scientific experience.
Experience in a systems engineering and/or project management environment.
Experience with in-space spacecraft chemical-propulsion systems and propellant tank and delivery subsystems.
Experience performing thermal and fluid analyses on spacecraft propulsion systems, such as water hammer, priming, orifice sizing, propellant filter sizing, feed-system pressure losses, propellant slosh, and propellant loading.
Knowledge of fundamental and advanced engineering principles in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and thermodynamics as applied to space-flight propulsion and propellant systems.
Knowledge of the design and development of major ground-test and space-flight system elements used to demonstrate propulsion and propellant systems.
Willingness to travel occasionally to a work location or customer site, approximately 10–15% of the time.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government-issued security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain one.

Nice To Haves

Coursework in astrodynamics, combustion, control theory, or systems engineering/design.
Experience with a variety of spacecraft propulsion systems, including electric propulsion systems.
Experience with space-system engineering practices and standards.
Experience working closely with customers and/or contractors.
Experience with hot-fire testing or storable-propellant chemical rocket engines.
Experience in hypergolic propulsion systems and/or refueling.
Experience in aerospace-industry project management.
Current involvement and specialization in Dynamic Space Operations and Servicing, Mobility, and Logistics technical efforts.
An active DoD and SSBI security clearance.

Responsibilities

Support development of advanced spacecraft propulsion systems for national space missions.
Participate in the design, development, test, and evaluation of propulsion systems, propellant tanks, and delivery subsystems.
Develop program requirements and assess risks and hazards; evaluate inspection, analysis, and test products for verification or risk and hazard reduction.
Participate in or lead technical interchange meetings, hardware reviews, flight data reviews, Preliminary Design Reviews, and Critical Design Reviews.
Evaluate and report on analyses, studies, and tests of components and systems.
Evaluate chemical propulsion systems used for spacecraft programs and resolve unique or novel problems and issues.
Review contractor products for requirements compliance and propulsion-system efficiency and effectiveness.
Provide real-time support during testing, launch, and operations of spacecraft propulsion systems.
Serve as a propulsion-system liaison for flight anomaly resolution and in-flight investigation reviews.
Participate in technical, safety, and integration working groups and meetings to stay informed about propulsion activities across programs.
Prepare reports and presentations communicating results and recommendations to Aerospace program offices, management, and customers.
Follow Dynamic Space Operations and Servicing, Mobility, and Logistics technical efforts related to spacecraft propulsion and contribute to and report on their progress.

Benefits

Comprehensive health care and wellness plans.
Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation.
Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options.
401(k) plan with company-paid contributions of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service, plus matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested upon hire.
Flexible spending accounts.
Variable pay program for exceptional contributions.
Relocation assistance.
Professional growth and development programs.
Education assistance programs.
Inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect.