Propulsion Engineer - Lunar Lander Programs (Nova-C & Nova-D)
Houston, TX
About the Position:
We are seeking Propulsion Engineers to support the development, test, integration, and operation of Intuitive Machines' Nova-C and Nova-D lunar lander programs. This requisition may be filled at various engineering levels depending on experience, demonstrated capability, and scope of ownership.
Nova-C and Nova-D are Intuitive Machines' lunar lander platforms supporting NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, Artemis objectives, and future commercial lunar operations. These vehicles deliver scientific payloads, communications infrastructure, technology demonstrations, and surface systems in support of sustained lunar exploration and commercial activity.
Responsibilities:
- Design, analyze, and develop spacecraft propulsion systems and components, including monopropellant, bipropellant, cryogenic, and pressurized fluid systems.
- Support propulsion hardware through design, fabrication, integration, qualification, acceptance, vehicle testing, launch campaigns, and flight operations.
- Contribute to propulsion system requirements development, verification planning, lifecycle traceability, and technical documentation from concept through flight.
- Plan, execute, and review component-level and integrated propulsion test activities, including development, qualification, acceptance, and troubleshooting campaigns.
- Design, build, operate, or improve propulsion test equipment and ground support hardware with a strong emphasis on safety, configuration control, and data quality.
- Review and disposition test data, support anomaly investigations, and implement corrective actions as required.
- Collaborate closely with systems engineering, manufacturing, safety and mission assurance, suppliers, technicians, and operations teams throughout the hardware lifecycle.
- Depending on experience and demonstrated capability, lead technical efforts, mentor engineers, and coordinate activities across multiple disciplines.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related Engineering discipline from an accredited institution.
- Strong fundamentals in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and propulsion system behavior.
- Experience supporting hardware through design, build, test, qualification, acceptance, production, or operational phases.
- Ability to develop and execute engineering analyses, test procedures, and technical documentation.
- Experience reducing, interpreting, and communicating engineering and test data.
- Proficiency with CAD and engineering analysis tools.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and sound engineering judgment.
- Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, cross-disciplinary engineering environment.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple parallel tasks.
- Willingness to support test campaigns, launch campaigns, and mission operations schedules when required.
- Alignment with Intuitive Machines' core values: Respect, Integrity, Dedication, and Excellence.
Preferred / Differentiating Experience:- Experience with lunar landers, spacecraft propulsion systems, launch vehicles, spacecraft fluid systems, or other aerospace flight hardware.
- Demonstrated ownership of propulsion hardware, subsystems, test campaigns, or other complex aerospace technical scope.
- Background in propulsion component development, fluid systems engineering, plumbing design, fabrication, hardware integration, or propulsion testing.
- Familiarity with cryogenic fluids, pressurized systems, valves, regulators, tanks, feed systems, and propulsion integration.
- Hands-on experience with hardware fabrication, assembly, welding support, test operations, or flight hardware integration.
- Experience developing and validating propulsion system, fluid network, thermal-fluid, or performance models using tools such as GFSSP, Easy5, SINDA/FLUINT, Thermal Desktop, or equivalent engineering software.
- Experience with MATLAB, Python, LabVIEW, or similar engineering analysis and automation tools.
- Experience using Creo or equivalent CAD platforms.
- Exposure to NASA, DoD, or other aerospace standards, reviews, and certification processes.
- Mission operations, launch campaign, or flight test experience.
