Propulsion Systems Engineer II

California Institute Of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 119,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision plans

Paid time off

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, seeks a Level II Propulsion Systems Engineer to lead design, analysis, and testing of chemical propulsion hardware for space missions. You will work in the Thermal, Propulsion, and Materials Engineering Section and partner with cross-functional teams to mature propulsion concepts from architecture through test.

The role requires a strong foundation in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, propulsion principles, and hands-on testing, with proficiency

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering with a minimum of 3 years of related experience; Master’s degree with a minimum of 1 year related experience.
• Strong fundamentals in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, and rocket propulsion principles for propulsion systems.
• Demonstrated creating and understanding fluid schematics (P&IDs) and mechanical drawings.
• Familiarity with propulsion subsystem ground testing.
• Ability to perform first-order calculations and Excel-level analyses.

Responsibilities

• Provide systems engineering, design, analysis and test support for chemical propulsion architectures across project lifecycle.
• Contribute to propulsion system assembly, integration and test activities.
• Support propulsion hardware deliveries and interface with vendors, including environment/hot-fire test support.
• Engage in component and system-level problem resolutions and anomaly investigations.
• Assist in conducting propulsion operations and perform flow-pressure drop, sizing, blowdown analyses.
• Update and improve analysis tools and models; generate documentation and user manuals.

Skills

Systems engineering

Propulsion analysis

Hand calculations

MATLAB

Siemens NX

Teamcenter

CAD

Star-CCM+

ANSYS

SINDA/FLUINT

GFSSP

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering

Master’s degree (advantageous)

Tools

Siemens NX

Teamcenter

Star-CCM+

ANSYS

SINDA/FLUINT

GFSSP

Job description

Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL. Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence. This opportunity is part of the Mechanical and Control Systems Division (3500), which engages in research, technology development, and the creation of advanced mechanical, robotics, guidance & control, thermal, propulsion, and electronic packaging systems. We develop hardware and systems from early architecture through design, fabrication, subsystem and system-level integration and test. As a Level II Propulsion Systems Engineer, you will be working for the Thermal, Propulsion, and Materials Engineering Section (353), which provides leadership and unique world-class expertise in a wide range of technologies and technical discipline areas, including chemical and electric propulsion, thermal, materials, contamination control, analytical chemistry, and multiphase flow. This section is responsible for design, analysis, fabrication, testing, integration, and operations of thermal and propulsion flight systems for JPL missions. This section is also responsible for providing materials and process engineering, contamination control engineering, materials testing, and analytical chemistry support to technology and flight programs. You will be a member of the Chemical Propulsion Systems Group (353C) and will report to the Group Supervisor. We are seeking an adaptable, high-energy professional who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced setting and is comfortable navigating ambiguity. The ideal candidate possesses a risk-tolerant mindset, viewing challenges as opportunities to innovate, and excels in an evolving environment where decisiveness and agility are key to our collective success.

Responsibilities

• Provide systems engineering, design, analysis and test support for the development, implementation, integration, and verification of chemical propulsion system architectures across all phases of the project lifecycle.
• Contribute and execute hands‑on propulsion system assembly, integration and test (I&T) activities.
• Support propulsion flight hardware deliveries and interface with external component vendors, including environmental/hot‑fire test support and verification of vendor processes and documentation.
• Engage in component and system‑level problem resolutions and anomaly investigations.
• Assist in conducting and monitoring of spacecraft propulsion operations.
• Perform various spacecraft chemical propulsion subsystem static and transient analyses, such as flow‑pressure drop, system sizing, blowdown, and waterhammer.
• Update, optimize and improve existing analysis tools and system models.
• Generate documentation and user’s manuals for in‑house created analysis tools and models.
• Develop and execute ground tests to validate and anchor analysis models, including analyzing and reducing the test data.
• Collaborate closely with the propulsion team to assist and provide analysis peer checks as well as providing systems design inputs.
• Prepare and communicate analysis methodology, assumptions, analytical and test result presentations to the team, the project and management.

Required/Minimum Skills

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering or related technical discipline with a minimum of 3 years of related experience; Master’s degree with a minimum of 1 year related experience.

Educational background with strong fundamentals and/or demonstrated work experience in the application of advanced compressible & incompressible fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, and rocket propulsion principles for propulsion systems.

Demonstrated creating and understanding fluid schematics (P&IDs) and mechanical drawings.

Familiarity with developing, supporting and conducting propulsion subsystem ground testing.

Ability to perform first‑order (hand calculation) and excel‑level calculations.

Practical experience with commercial Computer‑Aided Design (CAD) and Product Data Management (PDM) software, preferably Siemens NX and Teamcenter.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Proficiency with programming languages, preferably MATLAB.

Capable of reporting and presenting complex design, analytical and test results clearly to multi‑disciplinary teams.

Ability to work as a member of a team and independently work with limited supervision, when given only general instructions.

Desired/Preferred Skills

Basic understanding of spacecraft propulsion system‑level interfaces (mechanical, thermal, electrical, etc.) that influence the propulsion subsystem design and operation.

Working knowledge with designing, releasing and fabricating ground support test hardware.

Familiarity with hardware qualification and acceptance test processes and campaigns.

Experience supporting anomaly investigations, including root‑cause analysis and development of corrective actions.

Experience with performing and generating tools/code for spacecraft propulsion related subsystem analyses, such as flow‑pressure drop and test data reduction.

Validated analytical models through correlation with literature or test data, including identifying discrepancies and implementing model refinements.

Hands‑on knowledge and experience with commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools (Star‑CCM+ and/or ANSYS) and commercial analytical tools (SINDA/FLUINT and/or GFSSP).

Uses discretion and independent judgment in evaluating problem solving approaches and solutions.

Excellent verbal and written technical communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work‑life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date. For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed.

In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$118,872 - $143,000

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. EEO is the Law. EEO is the Law Supplement Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.

Formed in 1936, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federally funded research and development center managed for NASA by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech.) JPL joined NASA as an FFRDC when the agency was founded in 1958. JPL helped open the Space Age by developing America’s first Earth‑orbiting science satellite, creating the first successful interplanetary spacecraft, and sending robotic missions to the solar system. Today JPL continues its world‑leading innovation, implementing programs in planetary exploration, Earth science, space‑based astronomy and technology development while applying its capabilities to technical and scientific problems of national significance. Above all, we are explorers. At JPL we promote collaboration, innovation, integrity, and excellence in distinct academic areas. We turn ideas for science investigation into the reality of groundbreaking space missions, partnering with our strategic business teams to guide JPL into the future.