Mid Career Spaceflight Hardware Propulsion Engineer

Amentum; Texas; On-site; USD 89,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Educational reimbursement

Parental leave

Employee stock purchase

Job summary

PAE Government Services Inc. is seeking a Mid Career Spaceflight Hardware Propulsion Engineer to join the JETSII Contract with NASA. The role involves applying propulsion and spacecraft pressure-system principles, leading analyses, and guiding hardware development from concept to flight.

The position requires a bachelor's degree in Engineering and 5–10 years of related experience, with hands-on work in propulsion, thermal, and fluid systems. Travel to supplier and test sites may be needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering is required.
• 5–10 years of related experience.
• Strong knowledge of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics.
• Experience with propulsion, pressure, fluid, or thermal systems.

Responsibilities

• Apply fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, materials, structures to propulsion and spacecraft pressure systems.
• Develop and validate fluid-flow, pressure-system, thermodynamic, and thermal models.
• Develop engineering analysis tools using Python, MATLAB, or similar software.
• Lead propulsion hardware development from concept through fabrication, test, and operation.

Skills

Fluid mechanics

Thermodynamics

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Creo

Thermal Desktop

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. As NASA’s largest engineering solutions provider working together with NASA at centers across the United States. We have an exciting opportunity for a Mid Career Spaceflight Hardware Propulsion Engineer to join the JETSII Contract!

Responsibilities

• Apply fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, materials, structures, and machine-design principles to propulsion and spacecraft pressure systems.
• Independently perform or lead propulsion and pressure-system analyses.
• Develop, review, and validate fluid-flow, pressure-system, thermodynamic, and thermal models.
• Develop and maintain engineering analysis and data-processing tools using Python, MATLAB, or similar software.
• Evaluate system architectures and lead or contribute to technical trade studies.
• Establish technical assumptions, document analysis methods, and communicate results and limitations.
• Assess component-to-system and system-to-vehicle technical effects.
• Provide technical oversight of propulsion components, suppliers, and hardware-development activities.
• Review designs, drawings, material selections, fabrication methods, assembly processes, and acceptance criteria.
• Support or lead propulsion hardware development from concept through fabrication, assembly, test, integration, and operation.
• Plan, coordinate, witness, or evaluate component- and system-level tests.
• Review acceptance-test data, qualification reports, verification evidence, and flight-readiness documentation.
• Evaluate test results and determine whether the available evidence satisfies technical and program requirements.
• Lead or support investigations of anomalies, nonconformances, and unexpected system behavior.
• Develop technically defensible recommendations for issue disposition and risk mitigation.
• Review and coordinate closure of variances, nonconformance reports, hazard reports, changes, waivers, reuse documentation, and certification action items.
• Develop verification approaches and support formal certification of propulsion systems and flight hardware.
• Assess pressure-system safety, cleanliness, contamination-control, and hardware-integration requirements.
• Support propulsion-system integration with spacecraft, test vehicles, or small satellites.
• Coordinate technical activities with NASA program and project offices, spacecraft organizations, suppliers, prime contractors, sub-tier contractors, and international partners.
• Organize and track concurrent document reviews, technical issues, risks, and action items.
• Delegate or coordinate reviews with appropriate hardware and technical points of contact.
• Prepare and present technical status, risks, nonconformances, and recommendations to program stakeholders.
• Participate in mission simulations, vehicle checkouts, propulsion console operations, and flight support.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to less-experienced engineers.
• Travel to supplier, test, integration, launch, or program locations when required.
• Perform other duties as required.

Requisition 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 minimum of a bachelor's degree in Engineering and normally possess 5- 10 years of related experience.
• License and certification may be required.
• Requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Engineering and normally possess 5-10 years of related experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics.
• Working knowledge of heat transfer, engineering materials, mechanical systems, structures, or machine design.
• Experience analyzing propulsion, pressure, fluid, or thermal systems.
• Experience supporting hardware development, testing, integration, certification, or operation.
• Experience processing, analyzing, and interpreting engineering or test data.
• Ability to evaluate requirements, technical drawings, analyses, test plans, test results, and verification evidence.
• Ability to investigate technical issues and develop defensible engineering recommendations.
• Ability to assess component-level issues in a broader system and vehicle context.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to organize and coordinate multiple technical activities and priorities.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to communicate risks, uncertainties, and dissenting technical positions appropriately.
• Willingness and ability to transition among branch assignments as organizational needs change.
• Ability to work effectively in laboratory, supplier, integration, mission-operations, and office environments.
• Ability and willingness to travel when required by the assignment.

Requisition Preferences:

• Experience with spacecraft propulsion or aerospace pressure systems.
• Experience with human-rated spacecraft or other safety-critical flight systems.
• Experience with valves, regulators, tanks, filters, sensors, pressure vessels, tubing, and related mechanical hardware.
• Experience with component or system-level test planning, execution, and data evaluation.
• Experience with acceptance, qualification, thermal-vacuum, vibration, or other environmental testing.
• Experience with flight-hardware integration and certification.
• Experience investigating anomalies, nonconformances, or unexpected test results.
• Experience preparing or evaluating hazard reports, variances, waivers, risks, changes, or certification packages.
• Experience overseeing suppliers, prime contractors, or sub-tier contractors.
• Experience with requirements development and verification.
• Knowledge of pressure-system safety, hardware cleanliness, and contamination-control requirements.
• Proficiency with Python, MATLAB, or comparable analysis tools.
• Experience with Thermal Desktop or comparable thermal-analysis software.
• Experience with CAD software, including Creo or a comparable platform.
• Experience with propulsion console operations, mission simulations, vehicle checkouts, or flight support.
• Experience working with configuration-management, work-order, issue-tracking, or document-control systems.
• Experience developing small-spacecraft propulsion systems or rapid-turnaround flight hardware.
• Experience leading technical tasks or mentoring early-career engineers.

Compensation: Salary starts at $98,500. Final pay will be commensurate with the candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications.

Why Join Our Team?

• Excellent personal and professional career growth
• 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off), when applicable
• Onsite cafeteria (breakfast & lunch)
• Much, much more!

For more information on our partnership with NASA at Johnson Space Center (JSC), please visit www.wehavespaceforyou.com

Proof of U.S. Citizenship or US Permanent Residency may be a requirement for this position. Must be able to complete a U.S. government background investigation. Management has the prerogative to select at any level for which the position is advertised.

Essential Functions

Work Environment Generally, an office environment, but can involve inside or outside work depending on task.

Physical Requirements

Work may involve sitting or standing for extended periods (90% of time). May require lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs. (5% of time). Equipment and Machines Standard office equipment (PC, telephone, printer, etc.). Attendance Regular attendance in accordance with established work schedule is critical. Ability to work outside normal schedule and adjust schedule to meet peak periods and surge requirements.

Other Essential Functions

Professional behavior that enhances productivity and promotes teamwork and cooperation. Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others.

Benefits Overview

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities. Offerings include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)
• Educational reimbursement
• Parental leave
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Tax-saving options
• Disability and life insurance
• Pet insurance

Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.

Original Posting

10/28/2026 - Until Filled

Amentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days, with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs.

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed, marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters.

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