Propulsion Engineer

Lanteris Space LLC; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 136,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Lanteris Space Systems in Palo Alto, CA, seeks an engineer to develop propulsion systems for cutting-edge space missions. You will apply systems engineering to propulsion hardware, perform analyses, and help define test requirements for qualification and on-orbit performance.

The role emphasizes collaboration with power, thermal, and electronics teams, plus design and testing responsibilities. Strong emphasis on propulsion knowledge and teamwork.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizen or permanent resident requirement.
• BS degree in Physics, Engineering, or related discipline.
• A master’s degree may count toward two years of experience.
• Experience or coursework in electric and chemical propulsion, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, thermodynamics.

Responsibilities

• Apply engineering concepts to solve propulsion system challenges.
• Design bipropellant, monopropellant, cold gas, and electric propulsion systems.
• Perform subsystem analyses: propellant loading, plume, thruster alignment, and on-orbit performance.
• Specify propulsion hardware: tank sizing, thruster selection, performance, redundancy, fault management.
• Coordinate with power, thermal, and bus electronics engineers to meet requirements.
• Define and cascade subsystem test requirements to unit level.
• Support qualification and testing of propulsion systems.
• Demonstrate teamwork and project management capabilities.

Skills

Propulsion systems design

Subsystem analysis

CAD modeling

Thermal/fluid analyses

Project management

Team collaboration

Education

BS in Physics or Engineering

Masters counts toward experience

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Please review the job details below.

Lanteris Space is a global leader in integrated space technologies, delivering advanced systems for communications, exploration, data gathering, and next‑generation services. We are seeking highly motivated engineer interested in the development of a wide spectrum of space solutions while working in dynamic and collaborative interdisciplinary teams.

The Propulsion organization is seeking an engineer for our Palo Alto CA offices who can apply their knowledge and experience in the development Propulsion systems for cutting edge low Earth orbit solutions, complex geosynchronous communications satellites, and beyond Earth science missions.

You will apply your systems engineering discipline to complex systems with space methods, hardware components, and their practical application.

Essential functions include:

• Applies knowledge and experience of engineering concepts to solve and find propulsion systems solutions
• Design of bipropellant, monopropellant, cold gas, and electric satellite propulsion systems
• Perform subsystem analyses including the optimization of propellant loading, plume analyses, thruster alignments, and on‑orbit performance assessment
• Responsible for propulsion hardware performance specification including propellant/pressurant tank sizing, thruster selection and configuration, and performance characteristics, redundancy and fault management.
• Work with power, thermal, bus electronics engineers to ensure subsystem architecture meets operational requirements
• Define and capture subsystem test requirements and flow‑down to unit level
• Support qualification and testing of propulsion systems
• Demonstrated team player and project management skills

Minimum Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• B.S. degree in Physics, Engineering, or related discipline.
• A master's degree may count toward two years of experience
• Experience or coursework in electric and chemical propulsion systems, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, physics 2 years of relevant work experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with hall thrusters, ion thrusters, colloid thrusters, or other electric propulsion technologies
• Experience with gas feed systems and tanks
• Ability to create CAD models
• Ability to perform thermal, structural, and fluid analyses

In support of pay transparency at Lanteris Space Systems, we disclose salary ranges on all U.S. job postings. The successful candidate’s starting pay will fall within the salary range provided below and is determined based on job-related factors, including, but not limited to, the experience, qualifications, knowledge, skills, geographic work location, and market conditions. Candidates with the minimum necessary experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skillsets for the position should not expect to receive the upper end of the pay range.

The base pay for this position within California is: $82,000.00 - $136,000.00 annually.

For all other states, we use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop market-driven ranges for our roles, and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range.

• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, health and welfare insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees. More information on our benefits will be shared with candidates as they move forward in the recruitment process.

The application window is three days from the date the job is posted and will remain posted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. If the job is reposted regardless of reason, it will remain posted three days from the date the job is reposted and will remain reposted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. The date of posting can be found on the Lanteris Space Systems Career page at the top of each job posting.

Lanteris Space Systems values diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Intuitive Machines is building the infrastructure for your boldest missions and the next era of space operations. Our foundation is proven and built for scale, resilience, and mission continuity, extending across LEO, GEO, lunar, interplanetary, and deep space. That’s why commercial leaders and government organizations, such as NASA rely, on Intuitive Machines to sustain continuous mission operations and extend their space capabilities further and faster..

Intuitive Machines is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We comply with disability laws and make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, or to otherwise participate in the hiring process.