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Intuitive Machines · 1 month ago

Senior Propulsion Engineer – Propulsion Systems Lead

Greater Houston

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

10+ years exp

Intuitive Machines is an innovative space company focused on making cislunar space accessible to various customers. They are seeking a Senior Propulsion Engineer to lead the propulsion subsystem within a human spaceflight program, responsible for system definition, design, integration, and certification activities.

AerospaceAnalyticsSpace TravelTransportation

Growth Opportunities

Responsibilities

Lead the propulsion subsystem’s progression through design reviews, qualification, system fabrication, acceptance testing, and integration, ensuring alignment with SEI, human-rating, and milestone review requirements

Define propulsion system-level requirements, decompose to components, and maintain full traceability through interface control documentation and verification plans

Coordinate with systems engineering, safety/mission assurance, and external partners to ensure the propulsion system satisfies safety, performance, and reliability requirements

Manage component- and system-level test plans, direct ground test campaigns, oversee anomaly resolution, and ensure generation of verification evidence for review boards

Oversee supplier selection, procurement, and qualification of propulsion components such as thrusters, valves, regulators, tanks, and feed systems

Direct or review analyses and simulations of propulsion system behavior including fluid dynamics, thermal loads, and structural coupling using industry tools such as GFSSP, Easy5, ANSYS/Fluent, Thermal Desktop, or similar

Lead human-rating compliance activities, including fault tolerance verification, FMEA, FTA, hazard analyses, redundancy validation, and control of catastrophic hazard risks

Ensure compliance with NASA and industry hardware standards

Mentor propulsion engineers, fostering technical excellence, system-level understanding, and accountability throughout the program lifecycle

Qualification

Propulsion developmentHuman-rated systemsSystem integrationThermodynamicsFluid mechanicsCombustion processesAnalytical toolsData presentationTechnical writingCommunication skills

Required

BS or MS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering from an accredited engineering school (MS preferred)

10+ years of experience in propulsion development, with significant experience in human-rated or NASA-class systems

Deep familiarity with human-rating and crewed systems engineering processes, standards, certification flow, and SEI products

Strong knowledge of propulsion system fundamentals, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and combustion processes, including but not limited to high-pressure plumbing, hypergolic propellants, high-temperature systems, valves, and regulators

Proven track record of taking propulsion hardware from design through build, test, and flight

Hands-on or oversight experience with hardware fabrication and testing at component and system levels

Working familiarity with analytical and simulation tools, with the ability to interpret results and guide their application

Strong technical writing, data presentation, and review capabilities

Excellent communication skills, comfortable engaging with government reviewers and supplier partners