Sr Mechanical Eng Propulsion Systems Oct 2026

The ideal candidate has executed many full-lifecycle development programs designing mechanical systems in rocket engines (primary structure chambers injector layout cooling systems pumps actuators etc.). The candidate will have profound technical and strategic impact necessary to guide critical methods on active programs and across the company.

Responsibilities

• Drive the design and development of complex in-space propulsion system components and piece parts ensuring deep system-level understanding and integration across components and system elements.
• Design and develop components and assemblies for chemical rocket systems including concept creation hand calculation verification CAD assembly design and management BOM creation drawing production and collaboration with manufacturing and testing teams.
• Translate long-term technical strategies into actionable engineering requirements for significant features and projects.
• Take highly ambiguous propulsion challenges and distill them into pragmatic high-quality mechanical solutions for the engineering team.
• Act as an advisor to engineering leadership guiding high-stakes technical decisions and shaping the companys engineering vision.
• Cultivate a world-class engineering culture of technical excellence and collaboration mentoring all experience levels of engineering and cross-functional teams.
• Lead hardware through the entire cradle-to-grave processfrom conceptual hand calcs and CAD assembly to vendor selection assembly and test execution and analysis.
• Identify and implement risk mitigation strategies throughout development activities.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration between external customers internal teams subcontractors and cross-functional groups.

• B.S. or advanced degree in related engineering or technical field
• 15 Years of experience with mechanical systems development demonstrating strategic and technical impact.
• Profound expertise in mechanical design specifically for high-pressure/high-temperature environments (valves injectors combustion chambers pressure vessels etc.).
• Demonstrated experience in delivering rocket engine hardware architectural solutions and setting company-wide technical execution methods.
• Experience with designing and developing hardware in a production environment for release to manufacturing.
• GD&T trained (certificate up to professional certification).
• Expertise in CAD modeling including components assemblies and drawings in accordance with ASME Y14.100 standards.
• Expertise in mechanical fastening designing including bolted joints and welding.
• Expertise in engineering in space flight environmental requirements including vibration shock and thermal extremes.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively within team settings.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage and collaborate with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with FEA of mechanical components and sub-assemblies (ANSYS preferred).
• Experience with machining and manufacturing processes for mechanical components.
• Experience in fluid sealing design and manufacturing
• Experience in design for Laser Powder Bed Fusion additive manufacturing.
• Experience developing FMECA analyses.
• Experience testing mechanical systems for space flight environments.
• Experience with requirements management tools.