Propulsion Engineer

Propulsion Engineer

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited program in a STEM discipline.
• At least 6 years of professional engineering/scientific 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.
• Knowledge and understanding of NASA and/or DOD program life cycle.
• Ability to effectively utilize oral and written communication to express technical concepts.
• Experience working across diverse teams and many different engineering disciplines.
• 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 of space flight certification processes to ensure performance and safety requirements are met (including knowledge of NPR 7120, EA-WI-023, or equivalent processes).
• 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.
• Willing to travel domestically approx. 10%.
• 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

• Participate in the overall design, development, test and evaluation of exploration program propulsion systems and propellant tanking and delivery subsystems.
• Develop program requirements, risks, and hazards and evaluate inspection, analysis, and test products to support verification or risk/hazard reduction.
• Participate in support and/or lead roles in technical interchange meetings, hardware reviews, flight data reviews, Preliminary Design Reviews (PDRs), Critical Design Plan, coordinate, manage, evaluate, and report upon analyses, studies, and tests of components and systems.
• Resolve unique or novel problems, conditions, and issues as related to the assigned exploration program propulsion systems development.
• Perform technical evaluation of chemical propulsion systems used for spacecraft programs.
• Review contractor products and NASA defined requirements 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 liaison for flight Anomaly Resolution review and In-Flight Investigation review, capable of solving propulsion questions with low levels of information.
• Maintain awareness of NASA 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 and NASA.
• Develop technical and progress reports covering assigned tasks which are made available to other technical groups and agencies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Science degree or PhD from an accredited program in a STEM discipline.
• More than 6 years of professional engineering/scientific experience, including experience in a systems engineering and/or project management environment.
• 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 program life cycle.
• Exposure performing in or leading technical and programmatic tasks for NASA.
• Experience in aerospace industry project management and working closely with customers and/or contractors.