Responsible Engineer, Pressure Vessels/Propellant Tanks

Applied Aerospace & Defense; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Aerospace & Defense is seeking a Responsible Engineer for pressure vessels and propellant tanks in Long Beach, CA. You will lead design, development, qualification, and support of spaceflight hardware, partnering with customers and cross-functional teams from concept through production.

The ideal candidate has aerospace mechanical engineering experience, strong CAD skills (NX/Creo), and the ability to drive design for manufacturability in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering or equivalent.
• 5–10 years of aerospace mechanical engineering experience.
• Experience with CAD and GD&T; Creo experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own design and development programs for pressure vessels and propellant tanks.
• Collaborate with customers and crossfunctional teams from concept to production.
• Create and review CAD models, drawings, specs, and documentation.
• Support qualification, testing, and RCCA activities as needed.

Skills

DFMA

GD&T

Technical communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Siemens NX CAD

Creo CAD

Job description

Responsible Engineer, Pressure Vessels/Propellant Tanks

About the Organization Applied Aerospace & Defense (Applied) is a premier provider of advanced design, engineering, and vertically integrated manufacturing solutions for leading and next-generation space and defense technology companies. Applied builds complex hardware for extreme operating environments and is focused on three core markets: Space and Launch Systems, Defense Aviation and Airborne Systems, and C5ISR and Precision Strike Systems. With decades of space and defense manufacturing heritage, Applied combines deep material science and IP-enabled process expertise with the ability to enable rapid prototyping, enhance new product development, and responsively scale production. Across its nationwide infrastructure of advanced manufacturing facilities, Applied continuously supports a balanced mix of next-generation technology and platform development, large scale production programs, and aftermarket sustainment for enduring platforms.

EOE Statement Applied Aerospace and Defense is an equal opportunity employer.

Description

Responsible Engineer – Pressure Vessels & Propellant Tanks

Join NuSpace, a division of Applied Aerospace & Defense, and play a key technical role in developing mission-critical hardware for the space industry.

We are seeking a Responsible Engineer (RE) – Pressure Vessels & Propellant Tanks to lead the design, development, qualification, and ongoing engineering support of advanced spaceflight pressure vessel products. This is a high-impact opportunity for an engineer who enjoys taking technical ownership from concept through production and wants to see their designs become real flight hardware.

Reporting to the Engineering Director, the Responsible Engineer will serve as the technical lead for multiple new product development programs, partnering directly with customers and cross-functional teams to translate complex requirements into manufacturable, flight-ready solutions.

This is not a role limited to designing behind a desk. The successful candidate will work closely with our engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and program teams, regularly engaging with the people and processes responsible for building and testing the hardware.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the technical lead and engineering authority for assigned pressure vessel, propellant tank, and related spaceflight hardware programs.
• Lead new product development efforts from initial customer requirements through design, analysis, qualification, manufacturing, and production release.
• Work directly with customers to understand technical requirements, resolve engineering challenges, and develop effective design solutions.
• Develop and maintain 3D models, engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Partner with manufacturing and operations teams to ensure designs are practical, manufacturable, and capable of meeting demanding aerospace requirements.
• Support product qualification and testing activities, including evaluation of test results and resolution of technical issues.
• Review and disposition engineering nonconformances and provide technical guidance to manufacturing and quality teams.
• Lead or support Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations involving design, manufacturing, test, or product performance.
• Evaluate opportunities for design improvements, drawing revisions, cost reduction, producibility, and process improvements.
• Provide ongoing engineering support for existing NuSpace product lines.
• Collaborate closely with Program Management, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations to successfully execute customer programs.
• Present technical information clearly and confidently during internal design reviews, customer meetings, qualification reviews, and other technical forums.

Who We’re Looking For

We are looking for a well-rounded, technically strong engineer with excellent mechanical intuition and the ability to solve complex problems across design, manufacturing, and testing.

The ideal candidate has experience with aerospace structural design, pressure vessels, propellant tanks, or similar high-performance hardware and enjoys working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment where engineering decisions have a direct impact on the product.

You should be someone who:

• Takes ownership and follows technical challenges through resolution.
• Enjoys solving difficult, multidisciplinary engineering problems.
• Can move comfortably between CAD/design work, technical analysis, the manufacturing floor, testing, and customer discussions.
• Understands that great aerospace engineering requires both strong technical fundamentals and practical manufacturing knowledge.
• Think creatively and is willing to challenge conventional approaches when a better solution exists.
• Communicates technical information effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Works well across functions and can build credibility with customers, engineers, machinists, technicians, quality professionals, and leadership.

Why Join NuSpace?

At NuSpace, you won’t just design components—you’ll have the opportunity to own critical spaceflight hardware from concept through qualification and production.

This role offers the opportunity to work on technically challenging products, interact directly with customers, collaborate closely with the teams building the hardware, and see the real-world results of your engineering decisions.

If you are looking for a role where you can combine design expertise, hands‑on problem-solving, manufacturing knowledge, and technical leadership while contributing to hardware built for spaceflight, we’d like to hear from you.

Essential Responsibilities

• Take ownership of new product design and development programs within NuSpace’s portfolio of spaceflight pressure vessels and propellant tanks.
• Serve as customer’s technical point of contact on the program.
• Develop novel, robust, cost-effective, and manufacturable design solutions to meet customer’s critical mission and schedule requirements.
• Work with program manager to schedule and manage development activities including design, analysis, and requirements iteration, materials testing, and process development.
• Create CAD models and drawings for new products, subassemblies, and components, including specifying manufacturing and inspection requirements, defining GD&T.
• Work with analysis team to ensure design meets all product requirements.
• Work with manufacturing engineering to specify product BOMs and manufacturing, assembly, and test process flow.
• Provide engineering support for NuSpace’s existing product lines including assisting in nonconformance review and disposition, corrective actions, design and drawing revisions, and customer engineering support.
• Provide engineering support for new product proposals and quoting.
• Provide engineering support in reviewing data and guiding critical development and qualification activities such as material coupon and tank qualification test programs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science or higher degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering from an accredited university or college.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in mechanical engineering experience in relevant field.
• Strong understanding of fundamental design engineering principles, DFMA, GD&T.
• Strong experience in CAD required, preferably Creo experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Pressure vessel design experience or related highly desired.
• Composites design and manufacturing experience, especially filament winding, highly desired.
• Aerospace pressure vessel/propellant tank engineering.
• Fracture critical structure design.
• Composite structure design.
• General/working knowledge of stress analysis and FEA techniques and ability to interpret FEA results to iterate/improve design.
• Knowledgeable about aerospace structures testing techniques and instrumentation, including pressure, static load, vibration, and thermal cycling.
• Aerospace experience valued.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.

Physical Requirements

Physical Requirements (Lifting, Walking, Bending, Stooping, Kneeling, etc)

The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening and applicants must meet Applied Aerospace and Defense EMS security standards as imposed by DoD, including the issuance of any necessary security clearance by the U.S. Government within a reasonable time after commencement of employment. The Company will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen.

Applied Aerospace and Defense is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, marital or veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.

This employer participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E-Verify program, please click here: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees

Position Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in engineering or related field. Alternatively, a special combination of education and experience and/or demonstrated accomplishments.
• 5-10 years’ experience in Manufacturing Engineering for aerospace components.
• Working experience with Siemens NX CAD (NX 9+) software required.
• Must be able to read, interpret and apply Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing principles.
• Must be able to navigate through and apply detailed customer specifications for aerospace component production.
• Experience introducing new aerospace product into manufacturing.
• Experience providing technical support for milling, turning, and grinding.
• Experience working with various metals including steel, aluminum, titanium, etc.
• Strong verbal/written communication skills.
• Strong project management skills.

Shift First

Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time

Location Applied Aerospace & Defense, Long Beach

Category Engineering

Req Number ENG-26-00017

Position Manufacturing Engineer

Hiring Manager(s)

This position is currently accepting applications.

Exempt/Non-Exempt Exempt