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.

This position will support the design and testing of Astrobotics VTVL propulsion systems. This position will require propulsion system design and analysis as well as extensive handson prototyping and testing including engine testing and flight operations. This position is part of the propulsion team located in Mojave CA and will collaborate with the spacecraft propulsion team located in Pittsburgh PA.

Job Responsibilities:

• Support the engineering team in the design and test of rocket propulsion systems
• Size components of propulsion systems including turbomachinery combustion devices valves propellant feed systems tanks and pressurization systems
• Develop test plans execute tests and postprocess results for component and system testing
• Perform trade studies using propulsion system fluidthermal models to inform design and operations
• Create solid models of propulsion components for use in modeling or hardware fabrication
• Write technical reports and present to technical teams
• Support VTVL vehicle flight operations

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• Experience 2 years) in propulsion system design analysis manufacture integration and/or test
• Rocket test facility design integration and/or operation
• Aptitude with fluid/thermal modeling tools such as CFD or 1D network models
• Solid modeling and design (SolidWorks preferred)
• Ability to design components or systems to meet requirements
• Awareness of regulatory safety requirements (e.g. OSHA FAA)
• Teamwork and collaboration while multitasking in a small team
• Ability to selfstart with minimal guidance
• Great attitude in the face of technical challenges

Desired Skills & Qualifications:

• M.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• Experience with cryogenic propulsion systems
• Experience leveraging additive manufacturing in engine design
• Analytical/scientific programming (Python C/C MATLAB)
• Computational Fluid Dynamics (Ansys FLUENT) including conjugate heat transfer
• Thermal design and analysis using system level and 3D modeling tools (Ansys)
• Handson fabrication skills and a willingness to be handson with pathfinder hardware
• Familiarity with explosive hazard calculations
• Fortran programming language
• Rocket fuel handling equipment and operations
• Experience with rocket turbopumps
• Experience in pressure vessel design fabrication and/or qualification testing

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.