Position Title: Principal/Senior Engineer, Propulsion
Position Description: Protingent Staffing has an exciting direct-hire opportunity for a Principal/Senior Propulsion Engineer.
Job Responsibilities:
- Own and execute propulsion hardware development across the full product lifecycle, including requirements definition, design, analysis, build, test, and flight support.
- Lead the design and delivery of space-rated propellant tanks and supporting propulsion components.
- Serve as a technical contributor and mentor within a cross-disciplinary engineering team.
- Collaborate closely with systems, structures, manufacturing, test, and operations teams to deliver flight-ready hardware on aggressive schedules.
- Apply sound engineering judgment and creativity to solve complex propulsion challenges and meet mission requirements.
Job Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering.
- 7+ years of experience in the design, analysis, build, and test of space-rated metallic pressure vessels and related propulsion hardware, including:
- Familiarity with ANSI/AIAA S-080A, launch vehicle interfaces, and range safety requirements.
- Experience with qualification and acceptance testing of space-rated pressure vessels.
- Proficiency in tank and pressure vessel analysis, including Finite Element Analysis (FEA), fracture mechanics, slosh dynamics, and propellant management devices.
- Demonstrated experience leading technical efforts and small teams.
- Ownership of cost, schedule, and technical performance for assigned hardware.
- Proficiency with common engineering analysis tools and workflows.
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving development environment.
- Strong commitment to technical rigor, continuous learning, and mentoring junior engineers.
- Experience with in-space propulsion subsystems beyond propellant tanks.
- Background working in a fast-paced startup or rapid development environment.
- Advanced propulsion analysis experience using tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, CFD, FEA, Surface Evolver, and GFSSP.
- Experience with CAD tools and configuration-controlled hardware development.
- Strong background in risk identification and mitigation.
- Programming experience in Java, Python, Julia, and/or C++.
- Familiarity with 5S (6S) and Lean Six Sigma principles.
Job Details:
- Job Type: Direct Hire
- Salary Range: $165K-$220K.
- Location: Rockville, Maryland
- ITAR's regulations require candidates to be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Legal Permanent Resident, or of a protected person status
About Protingent: Protingent is an Award-Winning provider of top-tier Engineering and IT talent, trusted by companies at the forefront of innovation — from Software and Aerospace to AI, Clean Tech, Medical Devices, and Connected Technologies. We’re passionate about making a positive impact by connecting exceptional talent with meaningful opportunities and helping our clients build the future.