Propulsion Engineer II

Argo Space Corp.; El Segundo (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Argo Space Corp. located in California seeks a Propulsion Engineer to join a team of engineers developing water-based propulsion systems for reusable, in-space transport vehicles.

You’ll design propulsion architectures, prototype, test, and qualify hardware across chemical and electric propulsion domains, with emphasis on reliability for cislunar missions. The role requires strong fundamentals in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and propulsion systems, plus hands-on testing, design reviews, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in relevant engineering or science discipline.
• Strong understanding of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics.
• Experience with electric propulsion systems.
• Experience managing analysis products and incorporating feedback into design.
• Flexibility to adapt in evolving project environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Track record of delivering novel, excellent technical products.

Responsibilities

• Use computational tools and first-principles calculations to design and analyze propulsion components and systems.
• Hands-on prototyping, troubleshooting, and testing of propulsion hardware and systems.
• Qualify propulsion hardware to ensure survival at expected mission environments.
• Draft and implement build and test procedures aligned with mission risk posture and own test campaigns.
• Contribute to design reviews, test readiness reviews, and flight readiness reviews with a focus on technical excellence.

Skills

Fluid mechanics

Thermodynamics

Electric propulsion

Design analysis

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or science

Tools

CAD/FEA software (Siemens NX, ANSYS)

Python

MATLAB

Job description

As a Propulsion Engineer at Argo, you will work with a team of exceptional engineers to support the end-to-end development of water-based propulsion systems for our family of reusable, in-space transport vehicles. The work will include the development of both chemical and electric propulsion systems, RCS thrusters, propellant management and feed systems, and thermal management systems. As an employee at Argo, you will have an influential role in designing our vehicle’s propulsion architecture and enabling high efficiency transport of payloads throughout cislunar space. Engineers at Argo have a large amount of responsibility placed on them and take on a wide range of projects.

Responsibilities

• Use computational tools and first-principles calculations to design and analyze propulsion components and systems
• Hands‑on prototyping, troubleshooting, and testing of propulsion hardware and systems
• Qualify propulsion hardware to ensure survival at expected mission environments
• Draft and implement build and test procedures consistent with mission risk posture and own the outcome of test campaigns
• Conduct and contribute to design reviews, test readiness reviews, and flight readiness reviews with a heavy emphasis on technical excellence

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in relevant engineering or science discipline
• Comprehensive understanding of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics
• Understanding of and experience in electric propulsion systems
• Experience managing analysis products and incorporating their feedback into design
• Capable of maintaining flexibility in direction under changing circumstances
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Track record of delivering novel, excellent technical products

Preferred Qualifications

• Conducted full test campaigns of spacecraft propulsion systems
• Experience with CAD and FEA software (e.g. Siemens NX, ANSYS)
• Experience with a high-level programing language (e.g. python, matlab)
• Experience designing and analyzing electric propulsion systems
• Experience with water electrochemistry
• Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while working in a high‑paced, rewarding work environment.