Early Career Spaceflight Hardware Propulsion Engineer

Mclaurin Aerospace; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Employer-paid health/dental/vision/ltd

11 paid holidays

Generous PTO

401k after 12 months

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Mclaurin Aerospace seeks an Early Career Spaceflight Hardware Propulsion Engineer to join the JETS II contract team at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX. You will apply propulsion physics and materials knowledge to design and analyze spacecraft pressure systems.

You will develop models, Python/MATLAB analyses, and CAD drawings while supporting assembly, testing, and mission simulations in a multidisciplinary environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field.
• Foundational knowledge of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics.
• Foundational knowledge of mechanical systems and engineering materials.
• Ability to apply engineering principles to technical problems.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, requirements, test procedures, and engineering data.
• Familiarity with engineering analysis, programming, or data-processing tools.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly in writing and verbally.

Responsibilities

• Apply fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, materials, structures, and machine-design principles to propulsion and spacecraft pressure systems.
• Support the design and analysis of propulsion-system components and assemblies.
• Perform or review fluid-flow, pressure-system, thermodynamic, and thermal analyses.
• Develop models, calculations, and data-analysis tools using Python, MATLAB, or similar engineering software.
• Develop or review engineering drawings and three-dimensional models using CAD software.
• Support system architecture studies and technical trade assessments.
• Assist with the selection of materials, components, fabrication methods, and assembly processes.
• Participate in propulsion-hardware assembly and integration, including work in laboratory or cleanroom-like environments.
• Support component- and system-level test planning, execution, and data analysis.
• Assist with acceptance, qualification, environmental, and space-representative testing.
• Review test data, technical reports, drawings, requirements, and verification documents.
• Help investigate hardware anomalies, nonconformances, and unexpected test results.
• Support the preparation and closure of action items, variances, hazard reports, change documentation, and other certification products.
• Assess how component designs, changes, or anomalies may affect the propulsion system or spacecraft.
• Support compliance with pressure-system safety, hardware cleanliness, and contamination-control requirements.
• Assist with propulsion-system integration into spacecraft or test vehicles.
• Participate in mission simulations, vehicle checkouts, console activities, or flight operations as assigned.
• Coordinate technical work with engineers, technicians, analysts, project personnel, suppliers, and contractor organizations.
• Prepare and present clear technical status updates, analyses, and recommendations.

Skills

Fluid mechanics

Thermodynamics

Heat transfer

Materials

Structures

Machine design

Python

MATLAB

Engineering analysis

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Creo CAD

CAD software

FEA tools

Job description

Are you passionate about human space exploration, understanding the origins of the universe, and working with a passionate and diverse team to make a difference? If you are, we need you!

We need your talent, teamwork, and energy to help us achieve great things that inspire people all over the globe. We need you to bring creative ideas and diverse backgrounds to help us envision, shape, and deliver systems that will enable the exploration of space while benefiting people here on Earth. We are excited about what we do, and we need you on our team as we take on exciting challenges for NASA's pursuits in deep space exploration.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Early Career Spaceflight Hardware Propulsion Engineer to join our JETS II contract team at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX.

If selected you will:

• Apply fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, materials, structures, and machine-design principles to propulsion and spacecraft pressure systems.
• Support the design and analysis of propulsion-system components and assemblies.
• Perform or review fluid-flow, pressure-system, thermodynamic, and thermal analyses.
• Develop models, calculations, and data-analysis tools using Python, MATLAB, or similar engineering software.
• Develop or review engineering drawings and three-dimensional models using CAD software.
• Support system architecture studies and technical trade assessments.
• Assist with the selection of materials, components, fabrication methods, and assembly processes.
• Participate in propulsion-hardware assembly and integration, including work in laboratory or cleanroom-like environments.
• Support component- and system-level test planning, execution, and data analysis.
• Assist with acceptance, qualification, environmental, and space-representative testing.
• Review test data, technical reports, drawings, requirements, and verification documents.
• Help investigate hardware anomalies, nonconformances, and unexpected test results.
• Support the preparation and closure of action items, variances, hazard reports, change documentation, and other certification products.
• Assess how component designs, changes, or anomalies may affect the propulsion system or spacecraft.
• Support compliance with pressure-system safety, hardware cleanliness, and contamination-control requirements.
• Assist with propulsion-system integration into spacecraft or test vehicles.
• Participate in mission simulations, vehicle checkouts, console activities, or flight operations as assigned.
• Coordinate technical work with engineers, technicians, analysts, project personnel, suppliers, and contractor organizations.
• Prepare and present clear technical status updates, analyses, and recommendations.
• Travel to supplier, test, integration, launch, or program locations when required.
• Perform other duties as required

Qualifications:

This position has been posted at multiple levels. Depending on the candidate's experience, requirements, and business needs, we reserve the right to consider candidates at any level for which this position has been advertised.

• Typically requires a bachelor's degree in Engineering with experience in the field or in a related area
• Requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree in Engineering
• Foundational knowledge of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics.
• Foundational knowledge of mechanical systems and engineering materials.
• Ability to apply engineering principles to technical problems.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, requirements, test procedures, and engineering data.
• Familiarity with engineering analysis, programming, or data-processing tools.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly in writing and verbally.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary and collaborative teams.
• Willingness to participate in both analytical and hands-on engineering activities.
• Ability to learn unfamiliar systems, software tools, and engineering processes.
• Willingness to move among branch assignments as organizational priorities change.
• Ability to work safely and maintain technical discipline in laboratory, test, integration, and operational environments.
• Ability and willingness to travel when required by the assignment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Academic, internship, research, or professional experience involving propulsion, fluid systems, pressure systems, thermal systems, or spacecraft hardware.
• Familiarity with Python, MATLAB, or comparable analysis tools.
• Familiarity with CAD software, including Creo or a comparable platform.
• Experience collecting, processing, reducing, or interpreting test data.
• Experience with laboratory testing, hardware assembly, or prototype development.
• Familiarity with valves, regulators, tanks, filters, sensors, pressure vessels, or fluid-system components.
• Familiarity with aerospace materials, manufacturing, and fabrication methods.
• Exposure to acceptance, qualification, thermal-vacuum, vibration, or other environmental testing.
• Familiarity with requirements verification, hazard analysis, configuration management, or flight-hardware certification.
• Interest in human spaceflight, small-spacecraft development, or spacecraft mission operations.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Positive work-life balance
• 100% Employer paid insurance including: Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, short-term disability, and long-term disability
• 11 paid holidays annually
• Generous PTO
• 401k after 12 months of service with employer match
• Education assistance
• Relocation assistance (if applicable)

Mclaurin is a unique organization with a special focus on combining the best features of research and industry in order to foster innovation. Our organization strongly supports research, publication, and engagement with the academic community. We encourage our employees to remain on the cutting edge of new developments in their respective disciplines.

US Citizenship and the ability to pass a comprehensive security background investigation is required.

Mclaurin is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.