Senior In-Space Propulsion Engineer
Job ID: 5913
At the Space Dynamics Laboratory, we take pride in and highly value our employees. We are seeking a small satellite propulsion engineer to perform engineering tasks and serve as the technical team lead for propulsion contracts.
SDL offers competitive salaries and fantastic benefits, including:
- Flexible work schedules that fit your style-every Friday off, every other Friday off, possible work from home days, or simply traditional hours
- Generous paid leisure and sick leave, ensuring you never miss a special event
- A 14.2% employer retirement contribution into a 401(a) account—no matching required!
- Favorable company locations with average commute times of less than 15 minutes
- Utah State University undergraduate tuition discounts of 50%, full reimbursement for graduate tuition, and free course audits for employees and dependents meeting eligibility requirements
- High-quality, low-cost health, dental, and life insurance
- A great, highly educated team that works together to solve some of the most fascinating problems on (and off) our planet
- We are a growing company that maintains both a family feel and high retention rate with over 90% job satisfaction
- Relocation assistance available for most positions
Key Responsibilities:
- Defining propulsion requirements for missions
- Creating and managing test and development plans
- Monitoring the state of the art for SmallSat and CubeSat propulsion systems
- Identifying candidate propulsion systems for mission concepts, studies, and trades
- Leading sizing, designing, integrating, and testing propulsion systems for spacecraft
- Test planning, monitoring, and reporting
- Supporting planning, execution, and analysis of on-orbit maneuvers
- Communicating results orally and through written reports
Required Qualifications:
- BS in engineering or relevant technical field
- 5+ years of relevant experience
- Previous satellite propulsion experience, including integrated propulsion testing
- Ability to quickly identify and resolve issues
- General knowledge of spacecraft subsystems, manufacturing aerospace systems, and orbit dynamics
- Must be a US citizen and be able to obtain a US government security clearance
- Must be able to travel
- Proof of Covid-19 vaccination upon date of hire
Let us know in your application materials if you possess the following:
- MS in relevant technical field
- 10+ years of experience
- Previous small satellite and/or CubeSat propulsion experience, including integrated propulsion testing
- Active TS clearance with SSBI
- Experience leading technical developments
- Experience with component-level technology development
- Experience with spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control
SDL supports a variety of missions, including NASA's vision to reveal the unknown for the benefit of humankind and the Department of Defense's aim to protect our Nation on the ground, in the air, and in space. Our sensors, satellites, software systems, and science and engineering play an essential role in some important missions you've heard of, and others that you haven't. Join our team in our seventh decade of delivering mission success.
EOE including Disability and Vet