Propulsion Systems Lead - IM-5 (Nova-D)
Houston, TX
About the Position:
We are seeking a Propulsion Systems Lead to support the development, integration, test, and operation of the IM-5 mission, the first mission utilizing Intuitive Machines' Nova-D lunar lander platform. This requisition may be filled at various engineering levels depending on experience, demonstrated capability, and scope of ownership. Candidates with Senior, Staff, Principal, Lead Engineer, or equivalent experience are encouraged to apply.
Awarded through NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, IM-5 expands Intuitive Machines' lunar surface operations and represents a significant step toward sustained lunar exploration. Nova-D is Intuitive Machines' next-generation lunar lander platform, designed to deliver larger payloads, infrastructure, and mission capabilities to the lunar surface in support of NASA's Artemis objectives and future commercial lunar activities.
As Propulsion Systems Lead, you will serve as the technical owner for the propulsion subsystem, guiding system development from requirements definition through design, fabrication, integration, test, launch, and mission operations. This role offers the opportunity to directly influence a flagship lunar mission and play a critical role in advancing humanity's return to the Moon.
Responsibilities:
- Serve as technical owner and primary focal point for the IM-5 propulsion subsystem.
- Lead propulsion subsystem definition, design, integration, verification, qualification, acceptance, and mission operations activities.
- Define propulsion system requirements, maintain interface definitions, and ensure verification closure throughout the program lifecycle.
- Coordinate propulsion activities across systems engineering, structures, avionics, software, manufacturing, integration, test, safety, and mission operations teams.
- Manage propulsion-related technical risks, action items, discrepancies, and anomaly investigations through closure.
- Develop and maintain propulsion subsystem schedules, priorities, and deliverables in coordination with program leadership.
- Oversee supplier selection, procurement support, technical oversight, and qualification activities for propulsion hardware.
- Lead component- and system-level test planning, execution, data review, and verification activities.
- Review and guide propulsion analyses including fluid system modeling, thermal-fluid analyses, performance predictions, transient simulations, and system-level studies.
- Utilize tools such as Jira, Microsoft Project, Confluence, or equivalent systems to track technical actions, schedules, requirements, and execution status.
- Provide technical leadership and coordination across propulsion, systems engineering, manufacturing, integration, test, and mission operations teams.
- Mentor engineers and contribute to the continued growth of propulsion capabilities across Intuitive Machines programs.
Requirements:
- BS or MS in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related Engineering discipline from an accredited institution.
- Demonstrated ownership of propulsion hardware, subsystems, or other complex aerospace technical scope through significant phases of a development program.
- Strong understanding of propulsion system fundamentals, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, spacecraft fluid systems, and propulsion integration.
- Experience developing, integrating, testing, or operating propulsion or fluid systems utilizing cryogenic propellants.
- Experience supporting hardware through design, fabrication, integration, qualification, acceptance, launch, and operational phases.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary technical efforts and coordinating activities across engineering organizations.
- Experience managing technical schedules, priorities, and deliverables in a fast-paced development environment.
- Familiarity with Jira, Microsoft Project, Confluence, or similar project management and issue-tracking tools.
- Strong technical communication, technical writing, and presentation skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, cross-disciplinary engineering environment.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple parallel tasks.
- Alignment with Intuitive Machines' core values: Respect, Integrity, Dedication, and Excellence.
Preferred / Differentiating Experience- Experience with lunar landers, spacecraft propulsion systems, launch vehicles, or other aerospace flight hardware.
- Experience serving as propulsion lead, subsystem lead, responsible engineer, or technical lead on spacecraft development programs.
- Experience with methane, oxygen, hydrogen, or other cryogenic propulsion systems.
- Experience developing and validating propulsion system, fluid network, thermal-fluid, or performance models using tools such as GFSSP, Easy5, SINDA/FLUINT, Thermal Desktop, ANSYS Fluent, or equivalent engineering software.
- Experience supporting launch campaigns, mission operations, or planetary exploration missions.
- Familiarity with NASA programs, CLPS missions, Artemis objectives, or commercial lunar development efforts.
