Senior Engine Owner - Cryogenic Propulsion Systems

Orbital Operations; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Orbital Operations is seeking an Engine Responsible Engineer to own end-to-end development of a large LOX/LH2 rocket engine system. This senior role combines hands-on leadership with deep technical ownership across design, testing, and flight stages.

You will guide architecture, develop test sequences, review data, and coordinate with avionics, structures, and ground systems to ensure flight-ready hardware on ambitious schedules.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in mechanical or aerospace engineering.
• Significant experience developing liquid rocket engines.
• Direct experience with cryogenic propulsion systems.
• Technical ownership of an engine or propulsion test campaigns.
• Experience reviewing P&IDs, fluid schematics, pressure budgets, operating sequences, and system-interface documentation.
• Ability to lead high-ownership projects and ambitious schedules.
• Willingness to work hands-on with hardware and test operations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Responsible Engineer for the engine from development through qualification and flight.
• Define engine development strategy, priorities, test progression, and phase transitions.
• Maintain system-level understanding across engine subsystems (tubing, turbomachinery, valves, instrumentation).
• Identify and retire technical risks with focused analysis and test plans.
• Lead technical trades across performance, mass, reliability, schedule, cost, and operability.
• Provide clear direction to engineers, technicians, suppliers, and partner teams.

Skills

Cryogenic propulsion systems

Engine development

Test campaign leadership

P&IDs and piping design

System interfaces documentation

Troubleshooting and anomaly resolution

Hardware integration

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Job description

Orbital Operations is seeking an Engine Responsible Engineer to own end-to-end development of a large LOX/LH2 rocket engine system. This senior role combines hands-on leadership with deep technical ownership across design, testing, and flight stages.

You will guide architecture, develop test sequences, review data, and coordinate with avionics, structures, and ground systems to ensure flight-ready hardware on ambitious schedules.