Propulsion SME Engineer – Thruster Systems

Axiom Space; United States; On-site; USD 170,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Axiom Space seeks a Propulsion SME Engineer – Thruster Systems to own end-to-end development of bipropellant thrusters, from requirements to flight readiness. Lead cross-functional teams and external suppliers to deliver on safety, cost, and schedule while ensuring rigorous verification and documentation.

The role requires deep hands-on propulsion hardware experience, strong communication, and a bias for execution to advance Axiom Station’s ambitious mission in space.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
• 15+ years in spacecraft propulsion with hands-on thruster design experience.
• Expertise in combustion, thermodynamics, heat transfer and fluid dynamics.
• Experience planning and executing test campaigns with instrumentation selection.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end propulsion thruster development from requirements through flight readiness.
• Lead cross-functional teams and external vendors to meet cost and schedule targets.
• Perform detailed modeling and simulations to evaluate performance and thermal/structural margins.
• Coordinate design verification activities and participate in gate reviews.
• Provide technical mentorship to junior engineers.

Skills

Propulsion design

Thermal management

Test planning & data correlation

Cross-functional leadership

3D modeling (SolidWorks)

Hands-on hardware development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

ANSYS/Fluent

TDK/CEA

Job description

Axiom Space is building the world’s first commercial space station – Axiom Station. Serving as a cornerstone for sustained human presence in space, this next-generation orbital platform fosters groundbreaking innovation and research in microgravity, and cultivates the vibrant, global space economy of tomorrow. Today, driven by the vision of leading humanity's journey off planet, Axiom Space is the principal provider of commercial human spaceflight services to the International Space Station and developer of advanced spacesuits for the Moon and low-Earth orbit. Axiom Space is building era-defining space infrastructure that drives exploration and fuels a vibrant space economy that will empower our civilization to transcend Earth for the benefit of every human, everywhere.

Axiom Space fosters a work environment inclusive of all perspectives. We are the pioneers of commercial space, leading the transformation of low-Earth orbit into a global space marketplace.

Our mission-driven team is seeking a bold and dynamic Propulsion SME Engineer – Thruster Systems who is fueled by high ownership, execution horsepower, growth mindset, and driven to understand our world, science/technology, and life itself, for the benefit of all on Earth and beyond.

POSITION SUMMARY

We are looking for a resilient, high-energy, experienced Propulsion SME Engineer – Thruster Systems to own the end-to-end technical execution of a bipropellant thruster from requirements definition through design, build, integration, test, and flight readiness. You will lead cross-functional teams and suppliers to deliver to aggressive cost and schedule targets while maintaining safety and configuration discipline. The ideal candidate combines deep hands-on propulsion hardware experience with strong technical leadership, clear communication, and a bias for execution.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Owns the end-to-end technical execution of bipropellant thruster assemblies including combustion chambers, injectors, nozzles, igniters, and associated valves/instrumentation – from requirements through, design, build, integration, test and flight readiness.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in thruster design, providing technical authority on system architecture, sizing, fluid/thermal/structural analyses, materials/manufacturability, and performance optimization across the full development lifecycle.
• Perform detailed modeling, analysis and simulation of thruster assemblies using tools such as ANSYS, Fluent, TDK, CEA, etc to evaluate combustion performance, thermal effects, structural margins and transient behaviors.
• Perform component sizing and selection for thruster assemblies, ensuring compatibility with performance, thermal, structural, safety and compatibility requirements.
• Design, plan and execute thruster development, qualification, and acceptance test campaigns define instrumentation requirements, execute test planning and perform data correlation to anchor and validate analytical models.
• Lead and participate in internal and external design and gate reviews, trade studies, and subassembly integration activities; ensure compliance with system requirements and program milestones.
• Coordinate and manage technical requirements and design verification activities with external vendors and suppliers, interface on cost, schedule, design, manufacturing, and acceptance.
• Lead and participate in trade studies, component selection, and subassembly design and integration analyses in support of thruster development programs.
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to less experienced engineers.
• Responsible for delivering against performance, safety, cost, and schedule targets.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education & Experience
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related Engineering discipline required; advanced degree preferred
• 15+ years of relevant experience in spacecraft or launch vehicle propulsion, with demonstrated depth in thruster or liquid rocket engine design and development
• Significant hands-on experience with engine/thruster design, development, qualification, and integration — including injectors, combustion chambers, nozzles, igniters, and thermal management interfaces
• Expertise in combustion, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics with demonstrated application to thruster performance and thermal analysis
• Experience developing and executing test campaigns including test planning, instrumentation selection, and data correlation
• Propulsion component experience spanning valves, filters, regulators, manifolds, and instrumentation interfacing with thruster assemblies
• 3D modeling software experience; SolidWorks preferred
• Grit
• Passion for space and the mission
• Entrepreneurial, growth mindset
• Perseverance
• Resourceful, adaptable
• Skills
• Executes priorities with precision and pace
• High EQ and ability to collaborate within teams and cross-functionally
• Tech-savvy in using systems and tools to move faster and smarter
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Competencies

• Embody our core values of leadership, innovation, and teamwork.
• In addition, to perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies: Accountability Sense of Urgency Extreme Ownership Execution and Delivery Efficiency Effectiveness

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Generally, an office environment, but can involve inside or outside work depending on the task.

Requirements Must be able to complete a U.S. government background investigation Management has the prerogative to select at any level for which the position is advertised Proof of U.S. Citizenship or US Permanent Residency is a requirement for this position Must be willing to work evenings and weekends as needed to meet critical project milestones

Physical Requirements Work may involve sitting or standing for extended periods (90% of the time) May require lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs. (5% of the time)

Equipment and Machines Standard office equipment (PC, phone, printer, etc.)

Axiom Space is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Axiom Space does not discriminate on the basis of race, regional color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Axiom Space is building the world’s first commercial space station – Axiom Station. Serving as a cornerstone for sustained human presence in space, this next-generation orbital platform fosters groundbreaking innovation and research in microgravity, and cultivates the vibrant, global space economy of tomorrow. Today, driven by the vision of leading humanity's journey off planet, Axiom Space is the principal provider of commercial human spaceflight services to the International Space Station and developer of advanced spacesuits for the Moon and low-Earth orbit. Axiom Space is building era-defining space infrastructure that will empower our civilization to transcend Earth for the benefit of every human, everywhere.