Spacecraft Propulsion Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•El Segundo, CA

6d•$106,300 - $197,000

About The Position

The Spacecraft Propulsion section in The Aerospace Corporation’s Propulsion Department is seeking a Spacecraft Propulsion Engineer at the Senior Member of Technical Staff or Engineering Specialist level. The role involves 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 development and evaluation of propulsion technologies for government and commercial applications, including advanced systems for national space missions and technologies that enable more responsive operations. It includes participating in system design and verification, supporting technical reviews and meetings, assessing contractor products, and providing real-time support during testing, launch, and spacecraft operations. The engineer will also follow and contribute to Dynamic Space Operations (DSO) and Servicing, Mobility, and Logistics (SML) technical efforts as they mature. The Senior Member of Technical Staff position requires a bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline and at least five years of professional experience. The Engineering Specialist option 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, approximately 10–15% of the time, is required.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline for the Senior Member of Technical Staff role; a master's degree or PhD in a STEM discipline is required for the Engineering Specialist option.
At least 5 years of professional experience for the Senior Member of Technical Staff role; at least 8 years of professional engineering or scientific experience for the Engineering Specialist option.
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 the design, evaluation, and optimization of propulsion and propellant systems for spaceflight vehicles.
Knowledge of the design and development of major ground-test and spaceflight-system elements required to demonstrate the use of 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 the clearance.

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 DSO and SML technical efforts.
An active DoD and SSBI security clearance.

Responsibilities

Support development of advanced spacecraft propulsion systems for national space missions, using new technologies to enable more responsive operations.
Participate in the overall design, development, test, and evaluation of propulsion systems, propellant tanking, and delivery subsystems.
Develop program requirements and assess risks and hazards; evaluate inspection, analysis, and test products to support 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.
Perform technical evaluations of chemical propulsion systems for spacecraft programs and resolve unique or novel problems, conditions, and issues.
Review contractor products for requirement compliance and general propulsion system efficiency and effectiveness.
Provide real-time support during testing, launch, and spacecraft propulsion system operations.
Serve as a propulsion system liaison for flight Anomaly Resolution and In-Flight Investigation reviews.
Stay aware of propulsion activities across multiple programs by participating in technical, safety, and integration working groups and meetings.
Prepare reports and presentations communicating results and recommendations to Aerospace program offices, management, and customers.
Follow DSO and SML technical efforts relating to spacecraft propulsion and contribute to and report on those efforts as they mature.

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 benefits 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.