Job Details

Propulsion Engineer - LTVS/SuperNova (Nova - D) Lander
(NASA LTVS Award Contingent)

Houston, TX

About Intuitive Machines

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 the first commercial lunar landing in history, multiple NASA lunar missions in development, and additional private missions on our manifest, we pride ourselves in supporting 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.

*Employment in this role is contingent upon NASA selecting Intuitive Machines as the winner of the LTVS program, scheduled for announcement later in 2025.

Responsibilities

• Design, analysis, and development of spacecraft propulsion systems and components, including monopropellant, bipropellant, cryogenic, and pressurized fluid systems.
• Contribute to propulsion system requirements definition, verification planning, and lifecycle traceability from concept through flight.
• Serve in a component-focused role or broader system capacity, supporting qualification, acceptance, and sustained performance of propulsion hardware.
• Plan, execute, and review component- and system-level test activities, including development, qualification, and acceptance testing.
• Design, build, or operate propulsion test equipment and ground support hardware with strong emphasis on safety, configuration control, and data quality.
• Review and disposition test data, support anomaly resolution, and implement corrective actions as required.
• Support propulsion system integration, test readiness, vehicle-level testing, and mission operations as required by the program.
• Generate and maintain technical documentation, including test procedures, reports, analyses, and verification artifacts.
• Collaborate closely with systems engineering, safety and mission assurance, manufacturing, suppliers, and operations teams throughout the hardware lifecycle.

Required Education/Experience/Skills This role is posted at multiple levels, entry to senior

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related Engineering discipline from an accredited institution.
  1. Junior Propulsion Engineer: Bachelor's degree (0-1 years of relevant experience).
  2. Propulsion Engineer: Bachelor's degree with 2+ years of relevant experience or Master's degree + relevant experience.
  3. Senior Propulsion Engineer: Bachelor's degree with typically 8+ years of relevant experience or equivalent demonstrated ownership of flight hardware.
• Strong fundamentals in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and propulsion system behavior.
• Experience supporting hardware through design, build, test, qualification, or acceptance phases.
• Ability to develop and execute test procedures and produce clear technical documentation.
• Experience reducing and interpreting test data and engineering analyses.
• Proficiency with CAD and engineering analysis tools.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and sound engineering judgment.
• Experience with lunar landers, spacecraft/launch vehicle propulsion systems, or human- or NASA-class flight hardware. - Preferred
• Background in propulsion component test and acceptance, fluid systems development, or plumbing design and fabrication. - Preferred
• Familiarity with high-pressure systems, cryogenic fluids, valves, regulators, tanks, and feed systems. - Preferred
• Hands-on experience with fabrication, welding support, or integration of propulsion hardware. - Preferred
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, LabVIEW, or similar tools for test automation and data analysis. - Preferred
• Experience using Creo, including Creo Piping or equivalent tubing and routing tools. - Preferred
• Exposure to aerospace standards, formal reviews, and certification or acceptance processes. - Preferred

Essential Requirements

• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, cross-disciplinary engineering environment.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple parallel tasks.
• Willingness to support test campaigns and mission operations schedules when required.
• Alignment with Intuitive Machines' core values: Respect, Integrity, Dedication, and Excellence.

EEOC

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.