Propulsion Engineer II — Flight-Ready Space Propulsion

InvestedintheMission; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Quantum Space in Rockville, MD / Hawthorne, CA seeks an Engineer II – Propulsion to advance propulsion hardware including tanks and pumps for high-mobility spacecraft. You will work across propulsion, mechanical, systems, manufacturing, test, and flight operations from concept through flight operations.

The role emphasizes ownership of hardware development, solving complex technical challenges, and delivering flight-ready propulsion systems for national security, civil, and commercial missions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• 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.
• 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.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, iterative spacecraft development environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, qualify, integrate, and support propulsion hardware for high-mobility spacecraft.
• Collaborate with propulsion, mechanical, systems, manufacturing, test, and flight operations teams throughout the product lifecycle.
• Conduct propulsion system trade studies and evaluations to inform architecture decisions.
• Develop engineering analyses, models, and documentation to support hardware development.
• Ensure hardware delivery on schedule while meeting technical and program objectives.
• Support integration, environmental testing, launch campaigns, and mission readiness.
• Investigate anomalies, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
• Contribute to propulsion engineering standards and continuous process improvements.
• Participate in System Requirements Review (SRR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), CDR, TRR, and FRR.

Job description

Quantum Space in Rockville, MD / Hawthorne, CA seeks an Engineer II – Propulsion to advance propulsion hardware including tanks and pumps for high-mobility spacecraft. You will work across propulsion, mechanical, systems, manufacturing, test, and flight operations from concept through flight operations.

The role emphasizes ownership of hardware development, solving complex technical challenges, and delivering flight-ready propulsion systems for national security, civil, and commercial missions.