Propulsion Engineer

Role: Propulsion Engineer

Employment Type: Full Time

Educational Qualification: B.S/ B.Tech/ M.S/ M.Tech in Mechanical/Aerospace engineering or related field

Work Experience: 2+ years of relevant experience

Role Description

This position is responsible for end-to-end system engineering ownership of satellite propulsion subsystems - from mission requirement interpretation and propulsion sizing to vendor coordination, subsystem integration, testing, and in-orbit operational support. The role acts as the technical interface between internal satellite engineering teams, external propulsion vendors, and program stakeholders / customers.

Responsibilities

• Interpret mission requirements and derive propulsion subsystem performance specifications (V, thrust, lifetime, redundancy, duty cycles).
• Perform propulsion trade studies and select suitable off-the-shelf or configurable propulsion solutions based on mass, power, volume, reliability, cost, and schedule constraints.
• Size propulsion subsystems including propellant mass, tank configuration, system architecture, and thruster configuration.
• Act as the primary technical interface between propulsion vendors and internal spacecraft engineering teams during conceptual design and co-engineering phases.
• Review vendor designs, analyses, qualification procedures, fabrication status, and acceptance test data to ensure compliance with mission requirements.
• Define and manage propulsion subsystem interfaces with AOCS, EPS, thermal, structures, and software teams.
• Support spacecraft configuration activities including placement, plume interaction assessment, center-of-mass evolution, and mechanical accommodation.
• Plan and lead propulsion subsystem assembly, integration, and verification activities at unit and spacecraft levels.
• Develop integration procedures, safety protocols, cleanliness controls, leak checks, and propellant handling strategies.
• Design and implement ground support equipment, fixtures, jigs, and checkout setups required for propulsion testing and integration.
• Prepare propulsion subsystem test plans, procedures, instrumentation schemes, and acceptance criteria.
• Execute and oversee functional tests, performance characterization tests, and system-level validation campaigns.
• Analyze propulsion test data to validate thrust performance, system efficiency, and thermal behavior.
• Generate and maintain technical documentation including requirement specifications, interface control documents, verification reports, and review data packages.
• Present propulsion subsystem design status and performance assessments in internal and customer technical reviews.
• Support launch campaign activities including fueling readiness, subsystem checkout, and pre-launch verification.
• Participate in in-orbit commissioning, maneuver execution planning, calibration burns, and propulsion performance trending.
• Monitor propulsion telemetry during operations, estimate propellant consumption, and support anomaly detection and resolution.
• Contribute to maneuver analysis, operational strategy updates, and long-term propulsion subsystem health assessment.

Desirable Skills Certifications

• Strong understanding of spacecraft mission analysis and propulsion performance fundamentals.
• Practical knowledge of miniature rocket engines, electric propulsion devices, pressurized fluid systems, and space-qualified green propellants.
• Experience with propulsion sizing tools, maneuver simulation, and system-level trade analysis.
• Familiarity with spacecraft AIV processes, safety compliance for pressure systems, and propulsion test methodologies.
• Proficiency in technical documentation, requirement management, and review processes.

Candidate Acumen

• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, evolving program environments with high ownership and autonomy.
• Strong interdisciplinary coordination skills and structured system-level thinking.
• Analytical mindset with attention to quantitative performance evaluation and risk management.
• Clear technical communication for both engineering teams and customer stakeholders.

Disclaimer: This job posting has been aggregated from external source. Role details, content, and availability are subject to change. Applicants are advised to confirm the latest information directly on the company website before applying.