Senior Propulsion Engineer

Job Summary

Voyager wants you to be a critical contributor in the Mojave office to advance the development of propulsion systems for Voyager’s sub-orbital VTVL vehicles. You will be responsible for working directly on all aspects of the propulsion systems, from initial component and system sizing through design, analysis, fabrication, and test. You will regularly report to the Propulsion Lead on progress, as part of a joint propulsion team collaborating with the Pittsburgh office.

Job Responsibilities:

• Support the engineering team in the design and test of rocket propulsion systems using cryogenic propellants
• Size components of propulsion systems including combustion devices, valves, propellant feed lines, turbomachinery, tanks, and pressurization systems
• Design and analyze combustion device elements including injectors, combustion chambers, nozzles, gas generators, cooling channels, and related technology
• Build and run propulsion system fluid-thermal models to predict component and system behavior
• Perform trade studies to guide design and operational decisions
• Lead the creation of hardware drawings to support manufacturing
• Create component specifications to guide vendor interactions and support procurement
• Develop test plans, execute tests, and post-process results for component and system testing
• Contribute to and participate in technical readiness and safety reviews for testing activities
• Perform risk assessment and mitigation planning
• Write and present technical reports

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• 6+ years of relevant experience in rocket propulsion system development
• Experience with cryogenic propellants (liquid methane and liquid oxygen preferred)
• Experience in designing and analyzing high-pressure fluid and/or pneumatic systems
• Proven capability to develop conceptual designs, perform trade studies, and down select to a design baseline

Desired Skills & Qualifications:

• M.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• Experience with a variety of cryogenic propulsion systems and various engine cycles
• Experience with Computational Fluid Dynamics (ANSYS Fluent or CFX preferred)
• Experience leveraging additive manufacturing in engine design
• Proficient in fluid/thermal software for rocket engine development (GFSSP, RTE, RPA) and for system level modeling (Amesim or Thermal Desktop)
• Familiar with CAD (SolidWorks preferred) and lifecycle management tools
• Ability to take ownership of and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment with changing needs and requirements
• Experience with advanced rocket engine designs and concepts, especially RDRE’s
• Analytical/scientific programming (Python, C/C++, MATLAB, Fortran)
• Hands-on fabrication skills and a willingness to be hands-on with pathfinder hardware
• Rocket fuel handling equipment and operations, including safety requirements
• Experience with rocket turbopumps
• Experience in pressure vessel design, fabrication, requirements, and/or qualification testing
• Experience with hypergolic liquid bipropellant engine systems, test facility design, assembly, and operation

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Parts 120–130) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730–774), applicants for this position must be a U.S. Person: a US Citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3). Applicants must be eligible to obtain any required export authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran

The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general content and requirements for performance of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work within the framework of this job description at any time without prior notice.