Manufacturing Engineer (Tanks)

Quantum Space; Tulsa (OK); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity participation

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) matching

Job summary

Quantum Space in Tulsa, OK seeks a Manufacturing Engineer (Tanks) to own manufacturing processes for propellant and pressurant tanks, plus pressure vessels for the Ranger spacecraft program.

Expect hands-on work across forming, machining, welding, inspection, and testing, with a focus on safety-critical hardware and manufacturability. Collaboration with design, materials, and QA teams is essential for scale-up and rate production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, materials, or welding engineering.
• 3+ years in manufacturing engineering for pressure vessels, tanks, welded structures, or safety-critical hardware.

Responsibilities

• Develop, qualify, and implement manufacturing processes for propellant tanks and pressure vessels.
• Design and procure weld fixtures, tooling, and GSE for tank fabrication and test.
• Lead proof, leak, and pressure testing procedures and safety controls.
• Define nondestructive and dimensional inspection plans for welds and tank features.
• Lead first-article builds, process qualification, and tank builds; document results.
• Own cycle time, yield, and cost for tank fabrication and drive improvements as volume increases.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards and mission assurance requirements.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering

Pressure vessels

Tank fabrication

Welded structures

Process scaling

Education

Bachelors in mechanical, aerospace, materials or welding engineering

Tools

AWS D17.1

NASA-STD-5006

Dye penetrant / X-ray inspection

Job description

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking a skilled and technically driven Manufacturing Engineer (Tanks) to lead the development, qualification, and implementation of manufacturing processes for propellant tanks, pressurant tanks, and pressure vessels supporting our Ranger spacecraft program at our Tulsa manufacturing center. In this role, you will oversee critical manufacturing operations including forming, machining, welding, inspection, proof and leak testing, and precision cleaning to ensure the production of safe, reliable, and flight-ready spacecraft hardware.

You will play a critical role in developing and scaling repeatable manufacturing processes, tooling, and test methods for some of the most safety-critical components of our spacecraft. Working closely with design engineering, materials and processes, manufacturing, quality, and test teams, you will support first-article builds, process qualification, and continuous improvement initiatives as Ranger transitions from development into rate production.

This position is ideal for an engineer who combines strong manufacturing engineering expertise with hands-on experience in pressure vessels, welded structures, or safety-critical hardware and thrives in a fast-paced environment where precision, safety, innovation, and mission success are essential.

Where You’ll Make an Impact

• Develop, qualify, and own manufacturing processes for metallic tanks and pressure vessels, including dome forming, machining, weld prep, welding, and post-weld processing
• Design and procure weld fixtures, handling tooling, and GSE for tank fabrication and test
• Develop and execute proof pressure, leak, and volumetric test procedures and the associated safety controls
• Define and implement nondestructive inspection (X-ray, dye penetrant, ultrasonic) and dimensional inspection plans for welds and tank features
• Partner with design engineering and materials and processes on tank design for manufacturability, weld joint design, and tolerance stack-ups
• Lead first-article builds, process qualification, and qualification tank builds; document results
• Lead root cause and corrective action on weld defects, dimensional nonconformances, and test failures
• Own cycle time, yield, and cost for tank fabrication and drive improvements as volume increases
• Ensure all pressure system work complies with safety standards and mission assurance requirements

What It Takes

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, materials, or welding engineering
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering for pressure vessels, tanks, welded structures, or similar safety-critical hardware

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Experience manufacturing spacecraft, launch vehicle, or aircraft propellant tanks or pressure vessels
• Experience with TIG, orbital, electron beam, or friction stir welding of titanium, aluminum, and stainless alloys
• Experience with AWS D17.1, NASA-STD-5006, or similar aerospace welding specifications
• Experience with proof, leak, and burst testing and pressure system safety (ASME, AIAA S-080/S-081, or range safety requirements)
• Experience with NDI methods and acceptance criteria for welds
• Experience with dome forming, spinning, or large-part machining
• Experience with precision cleaning and propellant compatibility for fluid system hardware
• Familiarity with AS9100 quality systems and mission assurance practices for flight hardware

What You’ll Get

• Ownership – Lead the development, qualification, and implementation of manufacturing processes for mission-critical spacecraft propellant tanks, pressurant tanks, and pressure vessels, taking responsibility for production quality, safety, and manufacturing readiness
• Innovation – Develop and implement advanced fabrication, welding, inspection, and testing processes supporting next-generation spacecraft propulsion and fluid systems
• Impact – Play a direct role in ensuring the safety, reliability, and performance of flight-ready propellant tanks and pressure vessels supporting national security, civil, and commercial space missions
• Growth – Join a collaborative, fast-paced engineering and manufacturing team where you can expand your technical expertise, establish scalable manufacturing capabilities, and help shape the future of spacecraft production
• Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity participation.x`

Location:

Tulsa, OK

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.

Additional Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Quantum Space’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.