Propulsion Engineer - Valves

Austin, TX Area – Relocation Assistance Provided

The Company

Our client is a fast-growing commercial space startup providing comprehensive services, from launch to in-orbit operations. They have a proven track record of successful launch vehicles and spacecraft, and are actively developing their next-generation technologies to support government and commercial missions, from low Earth orbit to the Moon and beyond.

The Job

Our client believes that building a reliable and inexpensive launch vehicle requires the most reliable, production efficient valves available. On the fluid components team, they design, build, test, and qualify high-performance, precision fluid components tailored to the specific needs of their launch vehicles, landers, and spacecraft. Their team of responsible engineers own their products for the entire product lifecycle; from initial conception through qualification and handoff to the production team.

Functions

• Demonstrate extreme ownership of hardware
• Conceptualize, design, develop and deliver propulsion components to high performance systems
• Responsible for entire development lifecycle and production support as the technical expert.
• Own a combination of in-house developed and commercial-off-the-shelf (COTs) valves, regulators and actuators
• Prepare content for and lead CoDRs, MRR, PDRs, TRRs, data reviews and CDRs
• Author and execute qualification, and acceptance test plans with hands on hardware problem solving
• Work to standardize solutions across programs and product lines
• Improve mission cadence by identifying and implementing cost saving and risk reduction measures
• Lead cross-functional teams of analysts, manufacturing engineers, quality engineers, supply chain representatives, and test engineers to deliver tested hardware on time
• Resolve non-conformances and implement design changes to improve product yield and manufacturability
• Work with the program teams to develop hardware upgrades in alignment with ambitious performance and cost goals
• Develop simulation-based design methods and validate using subscale and full-scale testing
• Lead failure investigations to determine root cause and implement mitigations
• Qualify existing and new product lines following guidance from SMC-S-016 and S-080 as applicable
• Manage multiple projects and competing priorities

Qualifications

• BS in Aerospace Engineering or related engineering discipline
• 3-8 years of experience in a valve or fluid system design-related role.
• Exceptional comprehension of engineering fundamentals including fluid mechanics, heat transfer, structural analysis, materials, and processes.
• Strong understanding of fluid systems aspects such as fluids systems sizing, valve design and operation, instrumentation, flexible element design & integration and fluid fittings
• Skilled in creating analytical/numerical models of engineering devices and processes.
• Ability to successfully manage complex projects.
• Works well in a collaborative, fast paced, multidisciplinary environment.
• Demonstrated interest in advancing 'newspace'.
• Self-motivated with minimum direction required.
• Ability to creatively develop economical solutions.

Preferred Skills

• Served as a Responsible, Manufacturing or Test engineer for an aerospace development project in a fluids related subsystem.
• Component test experience.
• Proficient with GD&T
• Proficient with DFM
• Proficient with FEA and/or CFD analysis
• Knowledge of high-pressure, cryogenic, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems
• Experience with valve and regulator design
• Experience with liquid oxygen or other cryogenic operations
• Experience modeling fluid networks
• Experience with rapid development techniques for hardware

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, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with the company is governed based on merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status