Propulsion Engineer

Propulsion Engineer

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field is required
• A minimum of (4) years of professional engineering/scientific experience, including experience in a systems engineering and/or project management environment is required
• Experience with in-space spacecraft chemical propulsion systems and propellant tank / delivery subsystems
• Experience with design, development, qualification, and acceptance requirements for pressure fed in space bi-propellant NTO/MMH engines
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and integrate solutions across engineering disciplines and various teams
• Knowledge of fundamental and advanced engineering principles in aerospace, mechanical, electrical 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 both domestically and internationally to support customer needs, approximately 10% (as required)
• This position may require 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.

Responsibilities

• Be an integral part of the NASA JSC propulsion team, able to provide independent technical review assessments
• Assists team lead with day-to-day team activities such as meeting coverage and technical reviews
• Review, track and present weekly status on all propulsion-related pending document reviews and actions
• Use fundamental and advanced engineering principles in, but not limited to, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and thermodynamics used in the design, technical evaluation, problem solving, and optimization of chemical propulsion and fluid systems for human space flight vehicles
• Develop program requirements, risks, and hazards; evaluate inspection, analysis, and test products to support verification or risk/hazard reduction
• Function as propulsion system liaison for flight anomaly resolution and in-flight investigation reviews, capable of solving propulsion questions with low levels of information
• Review contractor products and NASA defined requirements to verify requirement compliance and general propulsion system efficiency and effectivity
• Develop technical and progress reports to communicate results, status, and recommendations to Aerospace management, program offices, and NASA

Preferred Qualifications

• More than (8) years of professional engineering/scientific experience, including experience in a systems engineering and/or project management environment is strongly preferred
• Completed course work in astrodynamics, combustion, control theory, systems engineering/design
• Familiarity with a variety of spacecraft propulsion systems
• Knowledge of space system engineering practices and standards
• Experience with hot fire testing or working with storable propellant chemical rocket engines
• Experience in hypergolic propulsion systems and/or refueling
• Familiarity working with international partners and human space flight
• Knowledge and understanding of the NASA and/or DoD program life cycle
• Knowledge of space flight certification processes to ensure performance and safety requirements are met (including knowledge of NPR 7120, EA-WI-023, or equivalent DoD processes)
• Exposure performing in or leading technical and programmatic tasks for NASA
• Experience in aerospace industry project management and working closely with customers and/or contractor