Senior Propulsion Engineer

We have an outstanding Contract to Hire position for aPLM Systems Engineerto join a leading Company located in theDenver, COsurrounding area.

Pay Rate: $85 per hour

US Citizenship is required.

As a Senior Combustion Devices Design Engineer at, you will own the full lifecycle of combustion device development - from architecture trades through flight delivery. You will serve as the team's subject matter expert on injectors, regeneratively cooled thrust chambers, acoustic stability, and high-temperature materials, bringing hands-on mastery of design tools and modern manufacturing methods including additive manufacturing. This is your opportunity to design and develop the next generation of in-space propulsion systems and directly shape the future of on-orbit capabilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead combustion device design:Own the design, analysis, and optimization of combustion chambers, injectors, regen cooling circuits, nozzles, and flow systems for advanced satellite and space vehicle thrusters - from concept through flight qualification.

• Apply regenerative cooling expertise:Develop and validate regenerative cooling designs for thrust chambers, supporting and/or performing thermal and structural analysis to ensure margin and reliability across the full operating envelope.

• Drive combustion performance and stability:Use CEA and other combustion analysis tools to predict performance and guide design decisions. Apply knowledge of combustion instability mechanisms to design and validate acoustic cavities and other passive suppression features.

• Leverage additive manufacturing:Champion the use of AM processes - including designs in Inconel and other high-temperature superalloys - to accelerate development cycles, reduce part count, and enable geometries not achievable through conventional manufacturing.

• Collaborate with suppliers and partners:Work closely with engine and thruster suppliers to interpret hot-fire and cold-flow test data and translate findings into future design improvements.

• Lead robust trade studies:Define thruster and engine architecture, select components, and support build campaigns from initial design through integration and test.

• Build team capability:Mentor junior engineers, develop best practices, analysis tools, checklists, and design release templates that scale with the team.

• Review and release hardware:Review CAD models and engineering drawings to GD&T standards, providing direct technical feedback and design guidance.

• Contribute to continuous improvement:Drive initiatives that enhance design efficiency, manufacturability, and system-level performance.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.

• 8+ years of professional experience in liquid rocket engine or thruster development.

• Hands-on combustion device design: Demonstrated experience designing injectors, combustion chambers, regen nozzles, valves, and nozzle extensions.

• Regenerative cooling design: Practical experience sizing and validating regen cooling circuits for thrust chambers, including thermal margin and pressure drop analysis.

• CEA proficiency: Demonstrated experience running NASA CEA (or equivalent) to predict propellant performance, O/F sensitivity, and nozzle expansion trade studies.

• Combustion instability expertise: Familiarity with acoustic combustion instability modes and experience designing acoustic cavities or other suppression features.

• High-temperature alloys: Experience designing and specifying hardware in Inconel, Haynes, or other high-temperature superalloys for propulsion applications.

• Additive manufacturing: Experience leveraging AM (SLM, DMLS, or equivalent) in the design and development of propulsion hardware.

• CAD proficiency with engineering drawing generation to GD&T standards.

• Operational experience in aerospace build, integration, and test environments.

• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• U.S. Citizen, eligible for DoD Secret or TS/SCI clearance.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (advanced degrees count toward years of experience).

• Experience designing, building, testing, and qualifying thruster or engine components through hot-fire, cold-flow, and leak/checkout campaigns.

• Direct team leadership and mentorship of junior propulsion engineers.

• Familiarity with the full vehicle lifecycle from concept through production.

• Track record of innovative problem-solving in complex mechanical and thermodynamic design challenges.

• Experience in a startup or similarly resource-constrained, high-tempo environment.

Military connected talent encouraged to apply.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled

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The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act

• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance

• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers

• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance