Senior Engineer (Engineer III) / Principal Engineer (Engineer IV) – Propulsion

<p><strong>Senior Engineer (Engineer III)/Principal Engineer (Engineer IV) – Propulsion</strong></p> <p><strong>Position Overview</strong></p> <p>Quantum Space, located in Rockville, Maryland, is seeking Senior Engineers (Engineer III)/Principal Engineers (Engineer IV) in Propulsion to lead the development of advanced flight-qualified propellant tanks and chemical/electric spacecraft propulsion systems. This role is ideal for an experienced engineer capable of leading technical teams, owning component/system development efforts, and delivering hardware through rapid development cycles.&nbsp; Position level and salary will be evaluated based on years of experience, relevant skillsets, proven leadership, and depth of subject matter expertise.</p> <p>The successful candidate will serve as a lead for propellant tank development or spacecraft propulsion systems.</p> <p>Scope of responsibility and technical leadership will scale based on experience, demonstrated expertise, and position level.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Responsibilities</strong></p> <ul> <li>Lead development of propellant tanks or complex spacecraft propulsion systems</li> <li>Provide technical direction across design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, qualification, integration, and flight operations</li> <li>Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver products on schedule and within budget</li> <li>Serve as a propulsion subject matter expert</li> <li>Drive architecture decisions and propulsion trade studies</li> <li>Manage technical program execution, risk reduction, and long-range planning</li> <li>Support customer interactions, technical reviews, and executive-level program updates</li> <li>Mentor/coach engineers across multiple experience levels and disciplines</li> <li>Support organizational development of propulsion engineering standards and best practices</li> <li>Lead resolution of critical technical and programmatic issues</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Required Qualifications for Senior Engineer</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or Phd in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline</li> <li>7+ years of relevant engineering experience</li> <li>Demonstrated ability to lead teams of 3+ engineers to major project milestones</li> <li>Demonstrated leadership capability for low-to-medium complexity project</li> <li>Recognized as a trusted technical expert within a project team or engineering group</li> <li>Experience managing technical schedules and budgets</li> </ul> <p><strong>Required Qualifications for Principal Engineer</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline</li> <li>10+ years of relevant engineering experience</li> <li>Demonstrated ability to lead teams of 6+ engineers to major project milestones</li> <li>Established technical leadership of medium-to-high complexity projects</li> <li>Recognized technical authority across programs or organizations</li> <li>Experience managing technical schedules and budgets</li> </ul> <p><strong>Required Qualifications for Tank Development Lead</strong></p> <ul> <li>Experience with design, analysis, fabrication, testing, and integration of propellant tanks</li> <li>Experience meeting tank design standards and meeting range safety requirements</li> <li>Understanding different propellant management approaches in a low-gravity environment and propellant slosh</li> <li>Understanding propellant tank welding – especially of how to evaluate quality of welds</li> </ul> <p><strong>Required Qualifications for Propulsion Subsystem Lead</strong></p> <ul> <li>Experience with design, analysis, fabrication, testing, integration and operations of spacecraft propulsion systems</li> <li>Experience meeting pressure vessel and systems design standards and range safety requirements</li> <li>Experience interfacing with other spacecraft systems</li> <li>Understanding typical technologies and propellants used for spacecraft propulsion systems</li> <li>Understanding how to architect a spacecraft propulsion system</li> <li>Understanding challenges and solutions in the assembly and testing of propulsion systems as part of a spacecraft AI&amp;T campaign</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Preferred Qualifications</strong></p> <ul> <li>3+ years leading engineering project teams to deliver propellant tanks or spacecraft propulsion systems</li> <li>Experience in fast-paced aerospace or startup environments</li> <li>Systems engineering experience, including requirements and verification planning</li> <li>Lean Six Sigma or project management training/certifications</li> <li>Experience applying AI-enabled engineering tools</li> <li>Experience leading teams through rapid hardware development cycles</li> <li>Spacecraft systems expertise outside propulsion</li> <li>Subject matter expertise for typical propulsion components</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Compensation</strong></p> <ul> <li>Senior Engineer Maryland salary range: $160,000 – $200,000</li> <li>Principal Engineer Maryland salary range: $180,000 - $230,000</li> <li>Equity participation and sign-on bonus opportunities may be available based on experience and qualifications</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity participation.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Additional Requirements</strong></p> <p>To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>