Sr. Propulsion Engineer

Intuitive Machines, LLC; Palo Alto, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 104,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health and welfare insurance

401(k)

Job summary

Intuitive Machines is seeking a propulsion systems engineer to join our Propulsion organization, supporting low Earth orbit missions and beyond with integrated propulsion solutions. You will design bipropellant, monopropellant, cold gas, and electric propulsion systems, perform subsystem analyses, specify hardware, and collaborate with power, thermal, and electronics teams to ensure requirements are met.

The ideal candidate holds a BS in engineering, has 5+ years of relevant experience (or MS

Qualifications

• U.S. citizen or permanent resident required.
• B.S. degree in Physics, Engineering, or related discipline.
• Courses/experience in electric and chemical propulsion, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, physics.
• 5+ years of relevant experience or MS degree with 3+ years of relevant work experience.

Responsibilities

• Design bipropellant, monopropellant, cold gas, and electric propulsion systems.
• Perform subsystem analyses: propellant loading optimization, plume analyses, thruster alignment, on-orbit performance.
• Specify propulsion hardware performance, tank sizing, thruster selection, redundancy and fault management.
• Collaborate with power, thermal, and bus electronics engineers to meet system requirements.
• Define and capture subsystem test requirements; flow-down to unit level.
• Support qualification and testing of propulsion systems.
• Demonstrated team player and project management skills.

Skills

Propulsion engineering

Propellant systems

CAD modeling

Thermodynamics

Education

B.S. in Physics or Engineering

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Please review the job details below. Intuitive Machines is a global leader in integrated space technologies, delivering advanced systems for communications, exploration, data gathering, and next-generation services. We are seeking highly motivated candidates interested in the development of a wide spectrum of space solutions while working in dynamic and collaborative interdisciplinary teams. The Propulsion organization is seeking a candidate who can apply their knowledge and experience in the development Propulsion systems for cutting edge low Earth orbit solutions, complex geosynchronous communications satellites, and beyond Earth science missions. The ideal candidate will apply the systems engineering discipline to complex systems and is familiar with space methods, hardware components, and their practical application.

Essential functions include:

• Applies knowledge and experience of engineering concepts to solve and find propulsion systems solutions Design of bipropellant, monopropellant, cold gas, and electric satellite propulsion systems
• Perform subsystem analyses including the optimization of propellant loading, plume analyses, thruster alignments, and on-orbit performance assessment
• Responsible for propulsion hardware performance specification including propellant/pressurant tank sizing, thruster selection and configuration, and performance characteristics, redundancy and fault management.
• Work with power, thermal, bus electronics engineers to ensure subsystem architecture meets operational requirements
• Define and capture subsystem test requirements and flow-down to unit level
• Support qualification and testing of propulsion systems
• Demonstrated team player and project management skills

Minimum Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• B.S. degree in Physics, Engineering, or related discipline
• Courses/experience in electric and chemical propulsion systems, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, physics
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience or M.S. degree and 3 years of relevant work experience in an engineering field

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with hall thrusters, ion thrusters, colloid thrusters, or other electric propulsion technologies
• Experience with gas feed systems and tanks
• Ability to create CAD models
• Ability to perform thermal, structural, and fluid analyses

In support of pay transparency at Lanteris Space Systems, we disclose salary ranges on all U.S. job postings. The successful candidate’s starting pay will fall within the salary range provided below and is determined based on job-related factors, including, but not limited to, the experience, qualifications, knowledge, skills, geographic work location, and market conditions.

• ● The base pay for this position within California is: $104,000.00 - $173,000.00 annually. For all other states, we use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop market-driven ranges for our roles, and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, health and welfare insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees.

More information on our benefits will be shared with candidates as they move forward in the recruitment process.

Lanteris Space Systems values diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Intuitive Machines is building the infrastructure for your boldest missions and the next era of space operations. Our foundation is proven and built for scale, resilience, and mission continuity, extending across LEO, GEO, lunar, interplanetary, and deep space. That’s why commercial leaders and government organizations, such as NASA rely, on Intuitive Machines to sustain continuous mission operations and extend their space capabilities further and faster..

Intuitive Machines is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We comply with disability laws and make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, or to otherwise participate in the hiring process.