Propulsion Systems Performance Analyst III

$91,000 - $156,000/Yr

Sierra Nevada Corporation - Huntsville, AL

Full-time - Mid Level

Onsite - Huntsville, AL

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We're working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our diverse team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight! This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your commitment and detailed attention toward safe and repeatable space flight. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin's vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth. As part of a diverse and hardworking team of analysts, you will help design and develop rocket engines and propulsion systems that meet launch vehicle requirements for various spaceflight systems. You will build and run steady state and transient analytic models of engines and other test articles to predict how they operate. You will use these models to develop engine requirements, build test sequences, and help with vehicle trajectory design. You will correlate system models to test data and provide the engine test team with test sequences and other guidance about safe engine operation. You will work with vehicle simulations to ensure engine modeling is accurate for flight mission simulations. We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Responsibilities

• Design and develop rocket engines and propulsion systems that meet launch vehicle requirements for various spaceflight systems.
• Build and run steady state and transient analytic models of engines and other test articles to predict their operation.
• Develop engine requirements and build test sequences for propulsion systems.
• Correlate system models to test data and provide guidance for safe engine operation to the engine test team.
• Work with vehicle simulations to ensure accurate engine modeling for flight mission simulations.

Requirements

• Minimum of a B.S. degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering.
• 4+ years of engineering experience.
• Understanding of rocket engines, gas turbine engines, internal combustion engines, etc.
• Strong understanding and ability to apply engineering fundamentals including thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and power systems.
• Proficient in programming and knowledge of at least one programming/scripting language (Python/MATLAB/etc).
• Familiarity with data analysis.
• Curiosity to understand engines at a component and system level.
• Desire to work in a coordinated, fast-paced, and dynamic environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work optimally in teams.
• Ability to be self-directed and balance several tasks at one time.
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Nice-to-haves

• M.S. degree or higher.
• Experience in system modeling.
• Experience in cryogenic propellants.
• Experience with rocket engine development.
• Knowledge of ROCETS, NPSS, GFSSP, or an equivalent system modeling software package.
• Knowledge of Matlab, Python and Fortran.
• Experience with system or performance analysis across the lifecycle of a product or different products.
• Experience with engine qualification and verification.
• Understanding of numerical solvers and methods.
• Solid understanding of a variety of propellants.
• Knowledge of engine components such as pumps, turbines, injectors, combustors, and valves.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• Short and long-term disability.
• 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%.
• Education Support Program.
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
• Discretionary bonus designed to reward individual contributions and allow employees to share in company results.