Lead In-Space Propulsion Engineer

TAD PGS, Inc.; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 97,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

TAD PGS, Inc. seeks an experienced Senior Combustion Devices Design Engineer in the Denver area to lead the full lifecycle of propulsion hardware development for space vehicles.

You will own design, analysis, and verification of injectors, chambers, regenerative cooling, and related components, working with AM processes to push performance and manufacturability. You will apply CEA and high-temperature alloy expertise, mentor engineers, and collaborate with suppliers to ensure flight-ready

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 8+ years of professional experience in liquid rocket engine or thruster development.
• Hands-on combustion device design: injectors, combustion chambers, regen nozzles, valves, and nozzle extensions.
• Regenerative cooling design with thermal margin and pressure-drop analysis.
• CEA proficiency to predict propellant performance, O/F sensitivity, and nozzle expansion trade studies.
• Familiarity with combustion instability modes and acoustic cavities or suppression features.
• Experience with high-temperature alloys (Inconel, Haynes) for propulsion hardware.
• Additive manufacturing (SLM, DMLS or equivalent) in propulsion hardware design.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, analysis, and optimization of combustion chambers, injectors, regen cooling circuits, nozzles, and flow systems from concept to flight qualification.
• Develop and validate regenerative cooling designs and perform thermal/structural analyses.
• Use CEA and other tools to predict performance and guide design decisions, including instability suppression features.
• Champion additive manufacturing to accelerate development and enable complex geometries.
• Collaborate with suppliers to interpret test data and translate findings into design improvements.
• Lead architecture trade studies and support build campaigns from design through test.
• Mentor junior engineers and develop design release templates and tools.
• Review CAD models and drawings to GD&T standards and provide technical feedback.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team mentorship

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

NASA CEA

CAD

GD&T

Additive manufacturing

Job description

TAD PGS, Inc. seeks an experienced Senior Combustion Devices Design Engineer in the Denver area to lead the full lifecycle of propulsion hardware development for space vehicles.

You will own design, analysis, and verification of injectors, chambers, regenerative cooling, and related components, working with AM processes to push performance and manufacturability. You will apply CEA and high-temperature alloy expertise, mentor engineers, and collaborate with suppliers to ensure flight-ready