Senior Propulsion Engineer, Space

Visa Hunt; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 166,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries is seeking a Propulsion Engineer for its Space team to design and integrate propulsion subsystems for satellites, including chemical, electric, and hybrid systems. You will work across spacecraft design, GNC, ground, and flight software teams to ensure reliable operations and mission success, while maintaining documentation and training materials.

The role requires understanding complex system requirements, experience with propulsion subsystems, and the ability to

Qualifications

• Engineering degree in aerospace or a related field.
• Experience with chemical, electrical and hybrid propulsion subsystems.
• Experience with orbital mechanics and satellite operations.

Responsibilities

• Support propulsion subsystems for multiple spacecraft programs across orbital regimes and coordinate with bus providers.
• Develop software-defined approaches for autonomous spacecraft operations with maneuvering capabilities.
• Own delta-V budgets and propulsion subsystem sizing to meet mission requirements.
• Create test plans for propulsion systems during ground checkout, on-orbit calibration and commissioning.
• Develop fueling plans and procedures for the propulsion system.
• Collaborate across teams to plan, build, and test complex functionality.
• Coordinate with end-users and customers to translate needs into features while balancing engineering constraints.
• Support schedules during ground tests, launch windows, and on-orbit operations.

Skills

Python

Go

C++

Linux

Education

Aerospace Engineering

Orbital Mechanics

Job description

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

ABOUT THE TEAM

Anduril's Space team is dedicated to expanding our AI-powered capabilities into the final frontier, enhancing Space Domain Awareness, Space Control, and Command and Control for U.S. military and allied partners. We're developing fully integrated hardware and software systems, including Lattice for Space Missions and modular payloads, to address growing threats in space and ensure our Guardians maintain a decisive advantage in this contested war-fighting domain.
WHY WE’RE HERE
As a Propulsion Engineer for our Space team, you will contribute to the understanding and design of all satellite propulsion subsystems to include but not limited to chemical propulsion, electric propulsion, and hybrid systems. You will be responsible for possessing deep knowledge on state-of-the-art propulsion systems and their applicability towards different mission threads. You will assist with the successful implementation of the propulsion systems into the spacecraft system and become familiar with Anduril’s ground software enterprise and orbital flight software systems for operations. The propulsion team will work closely with related teams, such as the spacecraft design, GNC, ground, and flight software to help improve both the ground and satellite-based capabilities conducting highly complex missions with maneuvering capabilities but above all else will be responsible for the successful design, test and operations of the propulsion subsystem onboard Anduril’s fleet of spacecraft.
This role is directly tied to ongoing, funded programs within Anduril’s Space Business Line. The programs require building and fielding a resilient, software-defined spacecraft systems across numerous mission threads. We work with mission partners and customers to deploy reliable and robust capabilities on operationally-relevant fielding timelines to meet complex challenges across the DOD and IC.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Support the spacecraft propulsion subsystems for various spacecraft programs in all orbital regimes and work closely with bus providers for successful implementation
• Develop modern, software-defined approaches to autonomous spacecraft operations with maneuvering capabilities to successfully accomplish mission objectives
• Own the delta-V budgets and propulsion subsystem sizing to satisfy mission requirements
• Develop appropriate test plans and procedures to validate the propulsion system during ground checkout, on-orbit calibration and commissioning and on-orbit operations
• Develop the necessary fueling plans and procedures for the implemented propulsion system
• Collaborate across multiple teams to plan, build, and test complex functionality.
• Coordinate with end-users, other operators and customers to turn needs into features while balancing user experience with engineering constraints.
• Support challenging schedules during ground testing, launch windows and on-orbit operations of the spacecraft systems.
• Work with other teams and government agencies to achieve the required licenses (DOT, etc) for transporting fully fueled or pressurized containers within the spacecraft to the appropriate test and launch facilities

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong engineering background from industry or school, ideally in areas/fields such as Aerospace Engineering, Orbital Mechanics or other engineering degree.
• Ability to quickly understand and navigate complex systems and detailed requirements.
• Experience with chemical, electrical and hybrid propulsion sub-subsystem design for spacecraft
• Experience with managing propulsion vendors for successful delivery against mission and sub‑system requirements
• Experience conducting spacecraft operations and satellite command and control with an emphasis on system reliability and uptime.
• Experience with orbital mechanics and resident space object tracking capabilities
• Capable of solving complex technical problems with little oversight
• Clear communication and organizational skills including documentation and training material
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with Python, Go, C++ and/or Linux systems
• A desire to work on critical software and hardware designs in the space domain.
• Experience testing propulsion subsystems in laboratory environments that mimic the space environmental constraints
• Experience with testing/validation leveraging FlatSats, Hardware-in-the-Loop testbeds and digital spacecraft simulators through nominal and fault scenarios
• Exposure to US satellite operations policy and constraints for relevant mission threads in all orbits

US Salary Range

$166,000—$250,000 USD

Benefits

At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you’re supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next.

For more information, Explore Our Benefits.

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