Propulsion Engineer -Aerospace Engineering (NASA Sounding Rocket

$104,000 - $166,000/Yr

Peraton - Wallops Island, VA

Full-time - Mid Level

Wallops Island, VA

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services

About the position

The Propulsion Engineer position at Peraton involves supporting NASA's Sounding Rocket Operations Contract (NSROC) at the Wallops Flight Facility. The role focuses on mechanical design, testing, and analysis of launch vehicle systems, particularly in propulsion. The engineer will work both independently and as part of a team to ensure the successful execution of suborbital rocket launches, contributing to the development and testing of vehicle-related components and systems.

Responsibilities

• Support sub-orbital rocket launches by engineering vehicle systems and flight termination systems.
• Analyze solid rocket motor dynamics.
• Develop and revise procedures related to hazardous operations involving pyrotechnic devices and solid rocket motors.
• Operate ground support equipment during payload integration and testing, launch operations, and throughout suborbital flight.
• Perform launch vehicle hardware & software system integration, testing, and launch operations in a fast-paced team environment.
• Troubleshoot and document hardware and software discrepancies, pursuing root cause and corrective actions.
• Execute and review integration and test work packages.
• Conduct hazardous testing involving pyrotechnics.
• Produce and present technical material for internal and external meetings.
• Contribute to the development of new engineering products and specifications.
• Participate in technical discussions with customers and experimenters.
• Manage activities to meet objectives of assigned design and development projects.
• Support integration and transition to new hardware and software systems, generating related documentation.
• Serve as cognizant engineer for launch vehicles on NASA sounding rocket missions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or higher in a STEM discipline (Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science Engineering).
• High mechanical and electrical aptitude.
• Ability to read, interpret, and implement technical drawings, specifications, and procedures.
• Five years of engineering experience.
• Knowledge of test instrumentation including power supplies, DMMs, oscilloscopes, and vibration tables.
• Understanding of basic static and dynamic analysis related to flight structures.
• Understanding of rocket motor dynamics.
• Ability to obtain a public trust.

Nice-to-haves

• BS/MS in Fluid Mechanics, Chemical Engineering, or Chemistry.
• Experience in Solid Rocket Motor Design and Analysis.
• Experience with Solid Performance Prediction (SPP) dynamic motor analysis.
• Knowledge of solid rocket propellant formulation and manufacturing.
• Experience with hazardous operation procedure creation and rocket motor hazard classification.
• MATLAB data analysis skills.
• Familiarity with electronic and mechanical test equipment.
• Experience with ordnance systems involving solid rocket motors and initiators/igniters.
• Understanding of environmental test requirements and interpretation of test results.

Benefits

• Paid Time-Off and Holidays
• Retirement
• Life & Disability Insurance
• Career Development
• Tuition Assistance and Student Loan Financing
• Paid Parental Leave
• Medical, Dental, & Vision Care