Senior Propulsion Engineer (Stage Hardware)

ABL Space Systems is driven by the vision that in ten years, missions to space will launch every day from around the world. We’ve set out to assure global access to space through the development of a low-cost launch vehicle and a modular ground system, RS1 and GS0.  Behind our business model is an exceptional team. Engineers, technicians and operators at ABL thrive on creating simple yet effective systems to tackle the challenge that space launch presents.   Launch is just the beginning. Join ABL in paving the way for the next-generation space platform.
Senior Propulsion Engineer (Stage Hardware)
The Stage Hardware team is responsible for vehicle-level fluid controls and routing, implementation of thermal and vibration solutions, and the design and integration of avionics mechanical systems. As a Senior Propulsion Engineer at ABL, you will take complete, end-to-end ownership of these systems from a clean sheet design to integration onto the flight vehicle. We are a group of well-rounded engineers who thrive in a fast-paced, ever-evolving work environment, completing detailed design and analysis on Monday, executing development or qualification testing on Wednesday, and resolving complex manufacturing or integration challenges by Friday. You will need to excel at collaborating with other engineers and disciplines to produce streamlined cross-functional designs and have a deep understanding of both mechanical and fluid system problems and their interactions. With your spatial awareness, mechanical design acumen, and compressible/incompressible fluid knowledge, you will help architect and optimize the next generation of robust launch vehicles for high cadence production and flight. Example projects include: propellant tank sump and distribution systems, detailed mechanical design of avionics enclosures or valve manifolds, development testing of integrated subsystems, high-level system layout and packaging.

RESPONSIBILITES:

• Full ownership for the design and development of vehicle fluid system hardware, avionics enclosures, and/or secondary structures
• All aspects of assigned project/product lifecycle: gathering requirements, conceptual design, system layout and interfaces, material and vendor selection, structural analysis (hand calculations and FEA), fluid analysis as required, CAD/drawing generation, manufacturing, testing, and integration
• Interpret and refine vehicle fluid schematics (P&ID’s) and translate them to as-designed reality
• Perform fluid component sizing and analysis using hand calculations, custom scripts, and more advanced analysis packages
• Work with structures and avionics engineers to ensure clean cross-functional design
• Develop test plans for vehicle fluid systems and lead qualification/acceptance/checkout testing efforts to verify functionality. Inclusive of planning, documentation, and execution of test campaigns
• Create and present internal and external facing technical documentation - including engineering drawings - that clearly convey design intent, adherence to standards, requirements, and specifications
• Manage project schedules, compliance with internal and external requirements, budget, milestones, and track status
• Interface with manufacturing engineers and other production partners to coordinate hardware integration, testing, and related activities
• Mentor other engineers on the team
• Occasionally travel to remote launch and test sites to support operational objectives, as required (< 5% of time)

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Civil Engineering or related field from an accredited university
• 6+ years of experience working in aerospace, defense, automotive, or equivalent professional environments with direct hands-on experience developing complex fluid and/or mechanical systems

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience in detailed mechanical component design, structural analysis, drafting, build and integration
• Adept at interpreting and/or defining Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID’s)
• Experience referencing and/or authoring interface control documents, component lists, and other key technical documentation
• Experience working across engineering groups to define requirements and implement solutions
• Proficient with Siemens NX or equivalent CAD software
• Proficient with finite element analysis software (ANSYS, FEMAP/NASTRAN, Abaqus, or similar)
• Experience designing mass efficient metallic components
• Strong practical knowledge of GD&T
• Practical experience with prototyping/manufacturing methods including machining and welding
• Familiarity with high pressure or cryogenic fluid systems and associated design/operational considerations
• Strong knowledge of compressible/incompressible f