Propulsion Engineer II

Quantum Space; Rockville, Hawthorne (MD, CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Equity grants

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Job summary

Quantum Space is seeking an Engineer II - Propulsion to contribute to the development of propellant tanks, pumps, and propulsion systems for Ranger missions. You will design, develop, qualify, integrate, and support hardware enabling high-mobility spacecraft for national security, civil, and commercial space applications.

You will collaborate with propulsion, mechanical, systems, manufacturing, test, and flight operations teams across the full product lifecycle, from concept through flight

Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 3+ years of experience developing propulsion systems, fluid systems, or related aerospace hardware.
• Experience designing, analyzing, fabricating, testing, and integrating propellant tanks, pumps, or spacecraft propulsion systems.
• Demonstrated ability to independently execute technical work from concept through implementation while collaborating with engineers, technicians, manufacturing personnel, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design, development, and qualification of propellant tanks, pumps, and advanced spacecraft propulsion systems.
• Execute engineering tasks across design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, qualification, integration, and flight support activities.
• Perform propulsion system trade studies and technical evaluations supporting spacecraft architecture decisions.
• Develop engineering analyses, models, and technical documentation supporting propulsion hardware development.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver propulsion hardware on schedule while meeting technical and program objectives.
• Support subsystem integration, environmental testing, launch campaign activities, and mission readiness.
• Investigate propulsion hardware anomalies, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
• Contribute to the development of propulsion engineering standards, best practices, and continuous process improvements.
• Support technical reviews including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and FRR.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/Ph.D. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CFD

FEA

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 motivated and technically drivenEngineer II - Propulsion to contribute to the development of advanced propellant tanks, pumps, and next-generation spacecraft propulsion systems supporting Ranger missions. In this role, you will help design, develop, qualify, integrate, and support flight propulsion hardware that enables high-mobility spacecraft for national security, civil, and commercial space applications.

Working closely with propulsion, mechanical, systems, manufacturing, test, and flight operations teams, you will support propulsion hardware throughout the full product lifecycle-from concept development through flight operations. This position is ideal for an engineer who enjoys solving complex technical challenges, taking ownership of hardware development, and contributing directly to flight-ready spacecraft systems.

Where You'll Make an Impact

• Contribute to the design, development, and qualification of propellant tanks, pumps, and advanced spacecraft propulsion systems
• Execute engineering tasks across design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, qualification, integration, and flight support activities
• Perform propulsion system trade studies and technical evaluations supporting spacecraft architecture decisions
• Develop engineering analyses, models, and technical documentation supporting propulsion hardware development
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver propulsion hardware on schedule while meeting technical and program objectives
• Support subsystem integration, environmental testing, launch campaign activities, and mission readiness
• Investigate propulsion hardware anomalies, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions
• Contribute to the development of propulsion engineering standards, best practices, and continuous process improvements
• Support technical reviews including System Requirements Review (SRR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), Critical Design Review (CDR), Test Readiness Review (TRR), and Flight Readiness Review (FRR)
• Operate within a fast-paced development environment focused on rapid execution, technical excellence, and mission success

What It Takes

• Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
• 3+ years of experience developing propulsion systems, fluid systems, or related aerospace hardware
• Experience designing, analyzing, fabricating, testing, and integrating propellant tanks, pumps, or spacecraft propulsion systems
• Demonstrated ability to independently execute technical work from concept through implementation while collaborating effectively with engineers, technicians, manufacturing personnel, and cross-functional stakeholders
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Experience leading significant engineering tasks supporting the development of propellant tanks, pumps, or spacecraft propulsion systems
• Experience performing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and/or Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
• Experience performing performance analysis of pump-fed spacecraft propulsion systems
• Experience with laser welding, friction stir welding, or other advanced aerospace manufacturing processes
• Experience machining aerospace-grade components using CNC equipment
• Experience testing propulsion systems utilizing propellants such as hydrazine and MON-3
• Experience designing gear pumps, pump motors, or other spacecraft fluid system components
• Experience supporting fast-paced aerospace, defense, or commercial space programs
• Experience utilizing AI-enabled engineering, modeling, or design optimization tools

What You'll Get

• Ownership - Take responsibility for mission-critical propulsion hardware and systems from concept through flight
• Innovation - Help develop advanced propulsion technologies enabling next-generation spacecraft mobility and maneuverability
• Impact - Deliver reliable, flight-ready propulsion systems supporting national security, civil, and commercial space missions
• Growth - Join a multidisciplinary engineering team where you'll contribute across propulsion development, integration, testing, and mission execution
• Compensation - Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity participation

Location: Rockville, MD or Hawthorne, CA

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, technical expertise, critical skills, and 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.