Salary Range: 115000 to 165000 (Currency: USD) (Pay period: per-year-salary)
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.
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 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: detailed mechanical design of avionics enclosures or valve manifolds, tubing and harness layout, development testing of components and subassemblies
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Take 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
- 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 technical documentation – including engineering drawings – that clearly convey design intent, adherence to standards, requirements, and specifications
- Manage and communicate your project milestone and priorities
- Interface with manufacturing engineers and other production partners to coordinate hardware integration, testing, and related activities
- 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
- 3+ 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 mechanical component design and structural analysis, drafting, build and integration
- Familiarity with Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID’s)
- Familiarity referencing interface control documents, component lists, and other technical documentation
- Proficient with parametric CAD software (NX), structural hand calculations, and FEA (ANSYS, FEMAP)
- Experience designing mass efficient metallic components
- Working knowledge of GD&T
- Practical experience with prototyping/manufacturing methods including machining and welding
- Familiarity with high pressure and/or cryogenic fluid systems and associated design/operational considerations
- Strong knowledge of compressible/incompressible flow and fluid properties
- Experience with Teamcenter or other PLM systems
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Travel to remote launch and test sites to support operational objectives, as required (25-75% of time during major campaigns)
ITAR Requirement
This position requires access to information protected under US export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulations. As such, US person status (including US citizens, U.S. permanent residents, individuals granted U.S. asylum status, or individuals admitted in U.S. refugee status) is a required qualification for this position.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, genetics, or citizenship status (when otherwise legally authorized to work and access export-controlled data) and will not be discriminated against on the basis of such characteristics or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We encourage applicants of all ages.
