Principal Propulsion Engineer

Astrobotic is 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 in-space robotic applications. To date, the company has been contracted for two lunar missions, and has won more than 60 NASA, 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 next-generation 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 lead the technical development and evolution of Astrobotic’s portfolio of VTVL propulsion technologies and testing capabilities. This position requires significant propulsion system design and analysis as well as extensive hands-on prototyping and testing experience, ideally including engine testing and flight operations. Significant experience with bi-propellant cryogenic propulsion systems required. This position will lead the Propulsion team located in Mojave, CA and will collaborate with the spacecraft propulsion team located in Pittsburgh, PA.

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead design and test of new propulsion systems
• Deliver conceptual and detailed design and test of Cryogenic propulsion systems including turbomachinery, combustion devices, valves, propellant feed systems, tanks, and pressurization systems.
• Primary technical and personnel lead for propulsion systems development and test for Astrobotic’s VTVL flight vehicle developments, leading diverse teams through development of new engine development programs across full engine lifecycles
• Have a deep understanding of the systems engineering approach and requirements-based design, ensuring optimization for performance across demanding mission profiles, design for manufacturability, ease of serviceability, and market-leading reusability.
• Work closely with P&T Chief Engineering on technical alignment of propulsion designs with future vehicle or lander architectures
• Interface with multi-disciplinary vehicle development team and integrate propulsion systems into larger system architectures.
• Personnel leadership and mentorship for propulsion and prop test team members and other employees as relevant within matrixed project activities.
• Own accountability of propulsion engineering readiness for ECR, component-level gated review, and system-level gated review approvals.
• Provides test support for component and integrated system testing
• Develop or manage the development of component and assembly specifications, fabrication and assembly schematics and procedures for engines and GSE
• Contribute to technical and safety reviews for testing activities
• Provide technical guidance to fabricators and technicians
• Identify resource needs and contribute to recruiting efforts to build the Astrobotic P&T team
• Support project management by providing task lists and task dependencies, estimating labor and material cost requirements
• Develop and manage technical baseline and execute to cost and schedule baselines, bringing a familiarity with scheduling estimating tools and methodologies
  
  

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Great attitude in the face of technical challenges
• Extensive experience (8 years) with cryogenic propulsion systems and testing
• Taken propulsion system components through the entire development and test lifecycle, preferably as a Responsible Engineer or team lead
• Experience with turbo-pump engine cycles and integration with combustion devices
• Extensive experience in propulsion system design, analysis, manufacture, integration, and test
• Knowledge of the common propulsion system cycles, their benefits and nuances, and performing system-level engine modeling
• Experience with systems engineering approach and holding engineering team accountable for requirements-based definition
• Experience using CAD to design parts/assemblies
• Experience developing hardware from concept to working prototypes
• Analytical/scientific programming experience (Python, C/C , Matlab)
• Awareness of regulatory safety requirements (e.g., OSHA, FAA)
• Familiarity with aerospace quality management systems and certifications, primarily AS9100
• Openness to learning and mentoring on Astrobotic design and test philosophies from existing team
  
  

Desired Skills & Qualifications:

• Experience with Methane & LOX propulsion systems
• Experience leveraging additive manufacturing in engine design
• Familiarity with explosive hazard calculations
• Fortran programming language
• Solidworks CAD
• FLUENT CFD
• NASA propulsion and fluid system design and analysis software (GFSSP, ROCETS, ROCCID)
• Hands-on fabrication skills and a willingness to be hands-on with pathfinder hardware
  
  

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 Astrobotic’s competitive total rewards strategy.

Benefits include Medical, dental, vision, long and short-term 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 non-merit 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 contact@astrobotic.com.