Senior Project Engineer- Propulsion

The Aerospace Corporation - Houston, TX

Full-time - Senior

Houston, TX

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

The Senior Project Engineer - Propulsion Engineering at The Aerospace Corporation will play a crucial role in supporting the development of advanced spacecraft propulsion systems for national space missions. This position involves collaboration with NASA and industry contractors to ensure the success of high-priority space missions, focusing on propulsion system development, testing, and operations. The role requires a strong background in engineering, particularly in propulsion systems, and the ability to communicate effectively across diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of advanced spacecraft propulsion systems for national space missions.
• Participate in the overall design, development, test and evaluation of propulsion systems and propellant tanking and delivery subsystems.
• Develop program requirements, risks, and hazards; evaluate inspection, analysis, and test products to support verification or risk/hazard reduction.
• Participate in and/or lead technical interchange meetings, hardware reviews, flight data reviews, Preliminary Design Reviews, and Critical Design Reviews.
• Plan, coordinate, manage, evaluate, and report upon analyses, studies, and tests of components and systems.
• Resolve unique or novel problems, conditions, and issues related to propulsion systems development.
• Perform technical evaluation of chemical propulsion systems used for spacecraft programs.
• Review contractor products and NASA defined requirements to verify compliance and efficiency of propulsion systems.
• Provide real-time support during test, launch, and operations of spacecraft propulsion systems.
• Act as propulsion system liaison for flight anomaly resolution and in-flight investigations.
• Maintain awareness of NASA propulsion activities by participating 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 for other technical groups and agencies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field is required.
• At least 10 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-prop NTO/MMH engines.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and integrate solutions across engineering disciplines and diverse teams.
• 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.
• 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 occasionally travel domestically and support customer needs, approximately 10%.

Nice-to-haves

• Advanced degree in a STEM field is highly desired.
• 14+ years of professional engineering/scientific experience, including experience in a systems engineering and/or project management environment is strongly preferred.
• Completed coursework 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.
• Experience in structural analysis capable of verifying compliance with requirements for stress factors of safety, fatigue, etc.
• Familiarity working with international partners and human space flight.
• Knowledge and understanding of the NASA and/or DoD 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.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
• 401(k) Plan with company-paid benefits and matching contributions
• Flexible spending accounts
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Relocation assistance
• Professional growth and development programs
• Education assistance programs
• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect