Propulsion Staff Engineer – Thruster Systems

Cimarron Inc.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) contributions

Educational reimbursement

Job summary

Cimarron Inc. in Houston, TX, invites an experienced Propulsion Staff Engineer – Thruster Systems to own end-to-end technical execution of bipropellant thrusters.

You will lead cross-functional teams, interact with suppliers, and drive design, build, integration, test, and flight readiness with a focus on safety and cost targets. The role requires deep hands-on propulsion hardware experience, strong technical leadership, and a bias for execution in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in spacecraft or launch propulsion with thruster design depth.
• Hands-on engine/thruster design, development, qualification, and integration.
• Experience with injectors, combustion chambers, nozzles, igniters, and thermal interfaces.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and vendor interfaces.
• Willingness to work evenings/weekends to meet critical milestones.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end technical execution of bipropellant thruster assemblies from requirements to flight readiness.
• Provide technical authority on system architecture, sizing, and performance optimization.
• Model and analyze thruster performance using ANSYS, Fluent, and related tools.
• Lead test campaigns, plan instrumentation, and correlate data to validate models.
• Coordinate with external vendors and manage cost, schedule, and design verification.
• Mentor junior engineers and ensure safety and configuration discipline.

Skills

Propulsion systems

Thruster design

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

CFD analysis

ANSYS/Fluent analyses

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Position Introduction / Key Duties

Cimarron is seeking an experienced Propulsion Staff 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. This is an onsite position located in Houston, TX.

Key Duties

• Own 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.

Required / Desired Skills, Experience, and Education

• Due to facility security requirements, only U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible for consideration at this time.


• Ability to complete a pre-employment background check and drug screening, which will include but is not limited to testing for marijuana use.


• Must be willing to work evenings and weekends as needed to meet critical project milestones.


• 10 or more 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.


• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related Engineering discipline required; advanced degree preferred.

Business Profile

Cimarron is a global solutions company with a strategic partnering approach to satisfying customer-driven requirements. We ensure customer success with a modern approach and experienced leadership. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, Cimarron is fueled by highly skilled employees, developing new innovative technologies, and delivering superior products and services. We believe in recognizing employees' worth by offering competitive salaries and benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) contributions, educational reimbursement, and much more. From company communication through Company-wide information meetings led by our President and CEO, to an Awards program designed to recognize our amazing employees and their accomplishments, you will not only feel like you are a part of a team, you will be a valued member of the Cimarron family.

Cimarron is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.