Spacecraft Propulsion Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 106,000 - 197,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health care

Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

Relocation assistance

Education assistance

Flexible work schedules

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Spacecraft Propulsion Engineer (Senior Member of Technical Staff/Engineering Specialist – Propulsion Engineering) to perform evaluations and analyses of propulsion systems for high-priority space missions. You will contribute across development, sustainment, testing, and operations while advising customers and program offices.

The role requires experience in chemical propulsion, propulsion subsystems, and a willingness to travel ~10-15% and obtain/maintain

Qualifications

• Experience in spacecraft propulsion design, analysis, and testing.
• Familiarity with propulsion subsystems, tanks, and delivery systems.
• Ability to evaluate technical data and advise program offices.

Responsibilities

• Support development of spacecraft propulsion systems for national missions.
• Lead or participate in design reviews, analyses, and testing activities.
• Prepare reports and communicate results to Aerospace program offices and customers.

Skills

Propulsion engineering

System engineering

In-space propulsion

Customer engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Tools

Propulsion test stands

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

The Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, and test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; orbital mechanics; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments. The Propulsion Department within VSD develops and evaluates cutting-edge propulsion technologies and systems for current and future government and commercial applications. The motto of the department is “We Deliver”; we work across the space enterprise and deliver timely, objective, and actionable technical advice so that programs can execute efficiently toward mission success. The Spacecraft Propulsion section is looking for a Spacecraft Propulsion Engineer (Senior Member of Technical Staff/Engineering Specialist – Propulsion Engineering). In this role, you will perform technical evaluations and assessments of spacecraft propulsion systems for high-priority space missions. Your work will potentially involve propulsion system development, sustainment, manufacturing, testing, and operations for multiple programs. You must be willing to learn a broad range of new technologies and systems and confidently advise customers on making critical decisions.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Supporting the development of advanced spacecraft propulsion systems for national space missions, using new technologies to allow more responsive operations.
• Participate in the overall design, development, test, and evaluation of propulsion systems, propellant tanking, and delivery subsystems.
• Develop program requirements, assess risks and hazards; evaluate inspection, analysis, and test products to support verification or risk/hazard reduction.
• Participate in support and/or lead technical interchange meetings, hardware reviews, flight data reviews, Preliminary Design Reviews, Critical Design Reviews; evaluate, and report upon analyses, studies, and tests of components and systems.
• Perform technical evaluation of chemical propulsion systems used for spacecraft programs; resolve unique or novel problems, conditions, and issues.
• Review contractor products to verify requirement compliance and general propulsion system efficiency and effectivity.
• Provide real-time support during test, launch, and operations of spacecraft propulsion systems.
• Function as propulsion system liaison for flight.
• Anomaly Resolution and In-Flight Investigation reviews.
• Maintain awareness of multiple program propulsion activities by being an active participant in technical, safety, and integration working groups and meetings.
• Prepare reports and presentations to communicate results and recommendations to Aerospace program offices, management, and customers.
• Closely follow the Dynamic Space Operations (DSO) and Servicing, Mobility, and Logistics (SML) technical efforts as it relates to spacecraft propulsion and be able to contribute and report as the effort continues to mature.

What You Need to be Successful

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline
• 5 years or more of professional experience, including experience in a systems engineering and/or project management environment
• Experience with in-space spacecraft chemical-propulsion systems and propellant tank / delivery subsystems
• Experience performing thermal and fluid analyses on spacecraft propulsion systems such as water hammer, priming, orifice sizing, propellant filter sizing, feed-system pressure losses, propellant slosh, propellant loading, etc.
• Knowledge of fundamental and advanced engineering principles in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and thermodynamics used in the design, evaluation and optimization of propulsion and propellant systems for space flight vehicles
• Knowledge in the design and development of major elements of ground test and space flight systems required to demonstrate the utilization of propulsion and propellant systems
• Willingness to travel occasionally to work location or customer site approx. 10-15% of the time
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government.
• U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
• Master's degree or PhD in a STEM discipline
• 8 years or more of professional engineering/scientific experience, including experience in a systems engineering and/or project management environment

How You Can Stand Out

• Completed course work in astrodynamics, combustion, control theory, systems engineering/design
• Experience with a variety of spacecraft propulsion systems including electric propulsion (EP) systems
• Experience with space system engineering practices and standards
• Experience working closely with customers and/or contractors
• Experience with hot fire testing or working with storable propellant chemical rocket engines
• Experience in hypergolic propulsion systems and/or refueling
• Experience in aerospace industry project management
• Current involvement and specialization in the Dynamic Space Operations (DSO) and Servicing, Mobility, and Logistics (SML) technical efforts
• An active DoD and SSBI security clearance

Benefits

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
• Flexible spending accounts
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Relocation assistance
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
• Education assistance programs
• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who: Operate Strategically Lead Change Engage with Impact Foster Innovation Deliver Results

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Right Place The Aerospace Corporation has over 26 locations nationwide, which allows us to build a workforce that will nurture the best ideas, and generate the most novel innovations and solutions to our nation’s toughest space enterprise challenges.

Right Path Aerospace covers all stages of the space lifecycle, from concept to operations. We believe our people are our most valuable resource and that’s why we propel our employees forward in their careers through ongoing education, training, and professional development.

Right Purpose We can all serve a mission much greater than ourselves, and at Aerospace that is exactly what we do. By hiring the industry’s most preeminent scientists and engineers, Aerospace advances emerging technologies that protect some of the most critical missions on Earth and above it.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, colour, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [e-mail].

You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.

Aerospace employees working in organizations with technical responsibilities are required to obtain a Security Clearance. U.S. citizenship is required for those positions.

The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not only education, experience, knowledge and skills. (Min - Max) $106,300.00 - $197,000.00 Pay Basis: Annual