Principal Propulsion Engineer

Astroboticis at the forefront of advancing space exploration and technology development. Our expertise spans from lunar rovers landers and infrastructure to spacecraft navigation machine vision and computing systems for inspace robotic applications. To date the company has been contracted for two lunar missions and has won more than 60 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Department of Defense (DoD) and commercial technology contracts worth more than $600 million.

We recently launched and operated the first American lunar lander mission since the Apollo Program. Beyond helping lead America back to the Moon Astrobotic developed and operates reusable vertical takeoff vertical landing (VTVL) rockets and continues to advance nextgeneration VTVL capabilities and advanced rocket engines. Established in 2007 Astrobotic is headquartered in Pittsburgh PA with a propulsion and test campus in Mojave CA.

The Principal Propulsion Engineer will be a critical contributor to the design test and integration of the propulsion systems for Astrobotics lunar lander product lines. You will be responsible for working directly on the design and analysis of the propulsion systems from initial component sizing to system layout and modeling through to supporting mission operations. You will regularly report to the Propulsion Lead on progress.

Job Responsibilities:

• Design and develop innovative spacecraft propulsion systems.
• Size components (engines tanks valves tubing etc. to meet mission requirements.
• Perform modeling using a combination of analytical tools and methods.
• Conduct risk assessment and mitigation planning.
• Perform component and system trade studies through analysis testing and integration.
• Develop propulsion test plans conduct the testing and postprocess the results.
• Provide real time mission operations support.
• Write and present technical reports.
• Coordinate between technical partners suppliers and other subsystems to assess design progress schedule and risks.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science (B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 8 years of relevant experience in spacecraft propulsion system or component development.
• Experience designing and analyzing highpressure fluid and/or pneumatic systems.
• Experience with spacecraft systems engineering lifecycle.
• Experience managing vendors through component design and delivery.
• Proven capability to develop conceptual designs perform trade studies and down select to a design baseline.
• Proficient in ComputerAided Design (CAD) (SolidWorks preferred) and lifecycle management tools.
• Adaptable to a startup environment able to selfstart with minimal guidance.
• Ability to work effectively in a fastpaced environment with changing needs and requirements.

Desired Skills & Qualifications:

• Master of Science (M.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 10 years of relevant experience in spacecraft propulsion system or component development.
• Experience designing or building hypergolic propulsion systems.
• Experience with transient flow analysis (Easy5 preferred).
• Knowledge of propellant mixing temperature control and combustion chemistry.
• Understanding of pressure vessel specifications and requirements including American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) S081.
• Knowledge of Range Safety and Ground Safety requirements.
• Experience with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD ANSYS Fluent preferred).
• Knowledge of scripting languages such as Python Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) or MATLAB.

Note: This position may be filled at multiple levels.

Salary

The base salary range represents the low and high end of the anticipated salary range for this position. The actual base salary offered for this position will depend on numerous factors including individual performance business objectives and the candidates professional experience. Base salary is just one component of Astrobotics competitive total rewards strategy.

Benefits:

Benefits include Medical dental vision long and shortterm disability voluntary life insurance FSA Plans 401k and open PTO.

Export Control Regulations:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. person which includes U.S. nationals lawful permanent residents protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)3 including those individuals granted refugee or asylum status or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Astrobotic Technology Inc. does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race color religion sex (including pregnancy and gender identity) national origin political affiliation sexual orientation marital status disability genetic information age membership in an employee organization retaliation parental status military service or other nonmerit factor.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation:

If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process please send a request to.