Liquid Propulsion Engineer
In an era of dynamic change in space, Aerospace is addressing a generation of complex challenges. We operate the only federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) committed exclusively to the space enterprise. Our technical experts span every discipline of space-related science and engineering. Join our team and thrive in a career that matters to the world and you personally.
The Propulsion Department develops, maintains, and applies expertise for space vehicle propulsion. Specific applications include liquid rocket engines, solid rocket motors, spacecraft thrusters, integrated propulsion systems, hypersonic propulsion, and space propulsion technologies. We provide technically excellent and timely systems engineering services so that programs can execute efficiently toward 100% mission success.
The Liquid Propulsion Section is hiring a Liquid Rocket Propulsion Engineer. S/he will focus on launch vehicle liquid rocket propulsion systems but may also engage in other areas of rocket propulsion. You will also perform technical evaluation and assessment of liquid propulsion systems used for national defense, NASA (crewed and un-crewed), and commercial programs, based on rigorous scientific and engineering principles, and communicate these evaluations and assessments effectively to other staff, management, and customers.
At The Aerospace Corporation, we are committed to providing a safe and diverse workplace for all employees who share a common passion and aspiration – to serve a mission much bigger than ourselves. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a rare collection of thought leaders and game-changing innovators.
Key Functions
Evaluate liquid rocket propulsion design, performance, and applications and assist in development of new propulsion systems and associated technologies
Use and improve existing tools and help develop new tools and analyses to assess performance, estimate margins, and evaluate anomalies
Identify, assess, and help mitigate hardware and operational risks associated with design, components, and interfaces
Participate in technical interchange meetings, hardware reviews, flight data reviews, and similar activities to assess flight readiness of propulsion systems
Participate in project teams within or external to the propulsion department
Prepare reports and presentations to communicate results and recommendations to Aerospace program offices, government personnel, and other customers
Provide real-time support to customer test and flight operations
Travel as required in support of other responsibilities
Comply with corporate policies & practices and maintain DoD security clearance
Qualifications
Required
Bachelor's degree in a STEM field or equivalent is required
Minimum of (5) or more years of experience in liquid rocket propulsion systems or relevant mechanical/ thermo-fluids discipline
Completed coursework and skills in the following:
Thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer
Fluid mechanics including compressible flow,
Propulsion system design, combustion/reacting flows, or mechanical systems
Fundamentals of structural analysis and materials
Demonstrated ability to plan and conduct technical tasks to solve technical problems
Experience working on complex thermo-fluids and/or mechanical research experiments, or flight hardware, either:
For a minimum of two years in a laboratory or other hardware-focused environment, or
While earning a thesis-based advanced engineering degree
Experience with common measurement transducers, experiment controls, and data acquisition tools (e.g., LabVIEW)
Experience utilizing software-based tools (e.g. MATLAB, Python) for engineering analyses
Ability to travel to customer and contractor facilities to support relevant reviews and testing, approximately 10% of the time
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance, which is used by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a clearance
Preferred
An advanced degree in a STEM field or equivalent is required
A strong background and skills in propulsion, combustion, and reacting flows is highly preferred
(8) or more years of experience in liquid rocket propulsion systems or relevant mechanical/ thermo-fluids discipline is preferred
Background in turbomachinery and rotordynamics
Experience with and/or knowledge of the design, analysis, testing, and/or operation of liquid propulsion systems
Experience with providing real-time support to test and/or flight operations
Experience with fault-tree and/or fishbone investigations to determine root cause of anomalies
Experience working with customers and/or contractors
Experience with and/or knowledge of rocket propulsion system design and modeling
Familiarity with engine cycle analysis/power balance modeling
Experience with network modeling to evaluate engine priming, thrust balance, and repress systems
Experience with machine learning/artificial intelligence applications in engineering, or advanced data analysis methods
Ways We Reward Our Employees
During your interview process, our team will provide all the details of our industry-leading benefits and career development opportunities. A few highlights include:
- A work environment built on teamwork, flexibility and respect
- Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career, as well as tuition reimbursement
- Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
- Comprehensive health care and wellness plans for your entire family
- Flextime and virtual work options (if applicable)
- 401(k) Savings Plan featuring a company match, regardless of whether you contribute
- Paid holidays and paid time off
- Flexible spending accounts
- Relocation assistance (if applicable)
We are all unique, from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.
Equal Opportunity Commitment
The Aerospace Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [email protected]. You can also review The Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law and the supplement, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.