Propulsion Test Engineer

Come join our growing team where you will get to make a difference daily by continuing to help build our reputation for quality, responsiveness, and the ability to handle complex products. We have an exciting opportunity for a Propulsion Test Engineer. The successful candidate will contribute to engine test operations by assisting with test planning and execution, risk identification and mitigation, hardware integration for test campaigns, post-test inspections, data review, and engine performance analysis. The role also involves performing analyses related to safety, reliability, maintainability, and testability, ensuring all systems meet operational and safety standards. This position is in office in Newbury Park, CA and Victorville, CA.

Responsibilities:

• Author test plans and lead hot-fire tests through various steps of thruster qualification
• Ensure successful test readiness reviews, both internal and customer facing
• Specify and install instrumentation on test assets for data acquisition
• Create documentation including test procedures, interface definitions, and work instructions
• Gain familiarity and drive continuous improvement of operational handling and checkout procedures
• Employ various analysis, modeling, and simulation tools to analyze test data

• Develop and maintain Plumbing and Instrumentation Diagrams for existing and future test stands
• Utilize and apply first principles reasoning to troubleshoot unforeseen issues
• Perform test setup, hardware inspections, leak checks and troubleshooting as needed
• Resolve technical issues with innovative and resourceful solutions

Relevant Experience and Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree (or higher) in electrical, mechanical, or aerospace engineering or related technical field of study

• 3+ years of experience working with liquid propulsion systems
• Proven understanding of liquid propulsion concepts and testing methods
• Professional experience in thruster testing through qualification and flight
• Demonstrated ability to work safely around energetic and hazardous systems
• Ability to effectively articulate technical challenges provide a clear rationale for decisions and address related concerns
• Excellent documentation and communication skills
• Ability to operate systems using a Plumbing and Instrumentation Diagrams
• Thorough understanding of fluid mechanics concepts
• General understanding of data acquisition systems, sensors, and effectors

• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements
• Must be available to work extended hours, weekends, and shifts, which varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility required

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience in aerospace testing and/or vacuum systems
• Any relevant CFD experience (Ansys Fluent, OpenFoam, AutoDesk CFD)
• Experience in reviewing and analyzing test data (MATLAB, Python, WinPlot)
• Knowledge of Excel VBA and Macros
• Familiarity with CAD applications (ProE or Creo preferred)
• Working knowledge of generating engineering definition documentation and work instructions
• Experience supporting customer Test Readiness Reviews
• Comfortable taking ownership of test subsystems (operator user consoles, feed systems, effector control, etc.) and driving end-to-end performance.
• Experience in a startup or agile development environment with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and perform in high pressure environments

Employment Criteria:

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, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Employment Statement:

The responsibilities described on this document are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee. The scope of the job may also change as necessitated by business demands.

Pay: Salary $86,000-$135,000 DOE

Note about pay range: Pay range for this job level is a general guideline for California and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

Employment Type and Exempt Status: Full-time / Exempt

Employement Location: Victorville & Newbury Park; This is an in-office position. Travel, as needed, to support test operations.

Job Schedule: 9/80: Employees work 9 out of every 14 days - totaling 80 hours worked - and have every other Friday off

Benefits: 10-12 company paid holidays

Vacation days and Sick days

401(k) w/company matching

Medical insurance

Dental, Vision, Life insurance

Health savings account or Flexible spending account