Propulsion Manager

Society of Defense Financial Management; Denver (CO); Presencial; USD 150.000 - 210.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Society of Defense Financial Management in Colorado seeks a senior Electric Propulsion Team Lead to own the design, analysis, and testing of advanced electric propulsion systems, focusing on sub-kilowatt Hall-effect thrusters and propellant flow control.

This hands-on technical leadership role requires mentoring teams and guiding programs from concept through flight qualification, with collaboration across cross-functional teams for space, defense, and commercial missions.

Formación

• Master’s degree in engineering or related technical discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in electric propulsion system development.
• Minimum 4 years of direct Hall-effect thruster experience.
• Experience across the full propulsion development lifecycle.
• Strong leadership or mentoring experience.
• Proven ability to communicate and work in space environments.

Responsabilidades

• Lead and guide the Hall-effect thruster and propellant systems development team.
• Provide functional management including mentoring and performance reviews.
• Collaborate with program management to plan resources and priorities.
• Ensure technical integrity through design reviews and failure reviews.
• Oversee development and use of electric propulsion test facilities.
• Define verification, validation, manufacturing, and acceptance test plans.
• Support cost-effective production strategies and continuous improvement.
• Partner with cross-functional subsystem teams across the organization.

Conocimientos

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Educación

Master's degree in engineering

Herramientas

Hall-effect thrusters

Descripción del empleo

We are partnering with an established and rapidly growing aerospace organization that designs and manufactures electric propulsion systems for small and micro-satellites. Their technologies support space exploration, defense, and commercial space programs, and they operate in a dynamic, project-driven environment within the aerospace and defense sector. The business is part of a larger technology group delivering mission-critical solutions for space and national security applications.

The Opportunity

Our client is seeking a senior Electric Propulsion Team Lead to take ownership of the design, analysis, and testing of advanced electric propulsion systems. This role is centered on sub-kilowatt Hall-effect thrusters, propellant flow control, and pressure management systems.

This is a hands-on technical leadership role suited to an experienced propulsion engineer who enjoys solving complex problems, mentoring teams, and driving programs from concept through flight qualification.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and technically guide the Hall-effect thruster and propellant systems development team
• Provide functional management including mentoring, performance reviews, and career development
• Work closely with program management and IPT leads to plan resources and assign priorities
• Ensure technical integrity through design reviews, analysis oversight, and failure review boards
• Manage the development and use of electric propulsion test facilities
• Define verification, validation, manufacturing, and acceptance test plans
• Support low-cost production strategies and continuous improvement initiatives
• Collaborate with cross-functional subsystem teams across the organization

Required Background

• Master’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline (or equivalent experience)
• 7+ years of experience in electric propulsion system development, including flight programs
• Minimum 4 years of direct experience with Hall-effect thrusters
• Subject matter expertise in one or more areas of electric thruster development
• Experience across the full propulsion development lifecycle
• Understanding of low-cost manufacturing and acceptance testing
• Proven leadership or mentoring experience
• Strong communication skills and experience designing for the space environment

Why This Role

• Technical leadership with real influence over propulsion architecture and team direction
• Exposure to flight programs supporting defense, commercial, and exploration missions
• Opportunity to grow and shape a high-impact engineering team