Chemical Propulsion Systems Engineer II

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 119,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Flexible schedule

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena seeks a Level II Propulsion Systems Engineer to advance spacecraft propulsion analyses and testing. You will develop models, run analyses, and support hardware delivery, while collaborating with a cross-disciplinary propulsion team.

The role emphasizes strong fundamentals in fluid mechanics and rocket propulsion, with hands-on testing and data reduction. A degree in aerospace/mechanical engineering is required, with relevant experience in a dynamic,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant engineering field with years of experience as stated.
• Strong fundamentals in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, and rocket propulsion.
• Experience with propulsion subsystem analyses and data reduction.
• Ability to perform hand calculations and Excel-level analyses.
• Experience communicating complex results to multi-disciplinary teams.
• Familiarity with propulsion subsystem ground testing.
• Ability to read and understand fluid schematics and mechanical drawings.
• Teamwork and independent work capability.

Responsibilities

• Perform spacecraft chemical propulsion subsystem analyses including flow-pressure drop and sizing.
• Update and improve analysis tools and models.
• Create user manuals for in-house analysis tools.
• Develop and execute ground tests to validate models and reduce data.
• Collaborate with propulsion team and provide peer checks and inputs.
• Present methodologies, assumptions, and results to project teams and management.
• Support propulsion hardware deliveries and interface with vendors.
• Contribute to propulsion system assembly, integration, and test activities.

Skills

Fluid mechanics

Thermodynamics

Heat and mass transfer

Rocket propulsion

Propulsion subsystem analysis

Hand calculations

Excel calculations

Technical presentation

Ground testing

Fluid schematics

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering or related technical discipline

Master’s degree with related experience

Tools

MATLAB

Star-CCM+

ANSYS

SINDA/FLUINT

GFSSP

Siemens NX

TeamCenter

Job description

Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Location

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

Division

This opportunity is part of the Mechanical and Control Systems Division (3500), which engages in research, technology development, and the creation of advanced mechanical, robotics, guidance & control, thermal, propulsion, and electronic packaging systems. We develop hardware and systems from early architecture through design, fabrication, subsystem and system-level integration and test.

Engineering Section

As a Level II Propulsion Systems Engineer, you will be working for the Thermal, Propulsion, and Materials Engineering Section (353), which provides leadership and unique world‑class expertise in a wide range of technologies and technical discipline areas, including chemical and electric propulsion, thermal, materials, contamination control, analytical chemistry, and multiphase flow. This section is responsible for design, analysis, fabrication, testing, integration and operations of thermal and propulsion flight systems for JPL missions. This section is also responsible for providing materials and process engineering, contamination control engineering, materials testing, and analytical chemistry support to technology and flight programs. You will be a member of the Chemical Propulsion Systems Group (353C) and will report to the Group Supervisor.

We are seeking an adaptable, high‑energy professional who thrives in a dynamic, fast‑paced setting and is comfortable navigating ambiguity. The ideal candidate possesses a risk‑tolerant mindset, viewing challenges as opportunities to innovate, and excels in an evolving environment where decisiveness and agility are key to our collective success.

Responsibilities

• Perform various spacecraft chemical propulsion subsystem static and transient analyses, such as flow‑pressure drop, system sizing, blowdown, and waterhammer.
• Update, optimize and improve existing analysis tools and system models.
• Generate documentation and user's manuals for in‑house created analysis tools and models.
• Develop and execute ground tests to validate and anchor analysis models, including analyzing and reducing the test data.
• Collaborate closely with the propulsion team to assist and provide analysis peer checks as well as providing systems design inputs.
• Prepare and communicate analysis methodology, assumptions, analytical and test result presentations to the team, the project and management.
• Support propulsion flight hardware deliveries and interface with external component vendors.
• Contribute and support propulsion system assembly, integration and test (I&T) activities.

Required (Minimum) Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering or related technical discipline with a minimum of 3 years of related experience; Master’s degree with a minimum of 1 year related experience
• Educational background with strong fundamentals and/or demonstrated work experience in the application of advanced compressible & incompressible fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, and rocket propulsion principles for propulsion systems.
• Experience with performing and generating tools/code for spacecraft propulsion related subsystem analyses, such as flow‑pressure drop and test data reduction.
• Ability to perform first‑order (hand calculation) and excel‑level calculations.
• Capable of reporting and presenting complex analytical results clearly to multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Familiarity with developing, supporting and conducting propulsion subsystem ground testing.
• Demonstrated creating and understanding fluid schematics and mechanical drawings.
• Ability to work as a member of a team and independently with limited supervision, when given only general instructions.

Desired (Preferred) Skills

• Proficiency with programming languages (preferably MATLAB).
• Hands‑on experience with commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools (Star-CCM+ and/or ANSYS) and commercial analytical tools (SINDA/FLUINT and/or GFSSP).
• Practical experience with commercial computer‑aided design software (preferably Siemens NX and TeamCenter) and used in a Product Delivery Management (PDM).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Working knowledge with designing and fabricating ground support test hardware.
• Uses discretion and independent judgment in evaluating problem‑solving approaches and solutions.
• Excellent verbal and written technical communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Benefits

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work‑life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$118,872 - $143,000

Equal Opportunity Statement

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

EEO is the Law.

EEO is the Law Supplement

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

Citizenship and Immigration

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.