Senior Propulsion Engineer – Propulsion Systems Lead

Senior Propulsion Engineer – Propulsion Systems Lead

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Intuitive Machines is an innovative and cutting‑edge space company making cislunar space accessible to both public and private customers. Our mission is to further science and exploration, communications, and economic progress from the Earth to the Moon and beyond. With multiple NASA lunar missions in development and additional private missions on our manifest, we pride ourselves in supporting NASA, our customers, and the nation in paving the way to return humans to the surface of the Moon.

Our world‑class team includes experts in all aspects of spacecraft subsystems design, development, and test, on‑orbit operations, and safety.

Houston, TX

Act as Intuitive Machines’ technical owner and primary liaison for the propulsion subsystem within a human spaceflight program, driving system definition, design, integration, verification, and certification activities under human‑rating constraints.

• 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.

• 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.

• Previous role as propulsion or subsystem lead in a human‑rated program.
• Experience overseeing flight hardware manufacturing, acceptance, and integration under human‑rating standards.
• Experience with propulsion hardware testing, certification, and supplier qualification.

Intuitive Machines is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.