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

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

Position Overview

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.  Position level and salary will be evaluated based on years of experience, relevant skillsets, proven leadership, and depth of subject matter expertise.

The successful candidate will serve as a lead for propellant tank development or spacecraft propulsion systems.

Scope of responsibility and technical leadership will scale based on experience, demonstrated expertise, and position level.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of propellant tanks or complex spacecraft propulsion systems
• Provide technical direction across design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, qualification, integration, and flight operations
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver products on schedule and within budget
• Serve as a propulsion subject matter expert
• Drive architecture decisions and propulsion trade studies
• Manage technical program execution, risk reduction, and long-range planning
• Support customer interactions, technical reviews, and executive-level program updates
• Mentor/coach engineers across multiple experience levels and disciplines
• Support organizational development of propulsion engineering standards and best practices
• Lead resolution of critical technical and programmatic issues

Required Qualifications for Senior Engineer

• Bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or Phd in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline
• 7+ years of relevant engineering experience
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams of 3+ engineers to major project milestones
• Demonstrated leadership capability for low-to-medium complexity project
• Recognized as a trusted technical expert within a project team or engineering group
• Experience managing technical schedules and budgets

Required Qualifications for Principal Engineer

• Bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline
• 10+ years of relevant engineering experience
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams of 6+ engineers to major project milestones
• Established technical leadership of medium-to-high complexity projects
• Recognized technical authority across programs or organizations
• Experience managing technical schedules and budgets

Required Qualifications for Tank Development Lead

• Experience with design, analysis, fabrication, testing, and integration of propellant tanks
• Experience meeting tank design standards and meeting range safety requirements
• Understanding different propellant management approaches in a low-gravity environment and propellant slosh
• Understanding propellant tank welding – especially of how to evaluate quality of welds

Required Qualifications for Propulsion Subsystem Lead

• Experience with design, analysis, fabrication, testing, integration and operations of spacecraft propulsion systems
• Experience meeting pressure vessel and systems design standards and range safety requirements
• Experience interfacing with other spacecraft systems
• Understanding typical technologies and propellants used for spacecraft propulsion systems
• Understanding how to architect a spacecraft propulsion system
• Understanding challenges and solutions in the assembly and testing of propulsion systems as part of a spacecraft AI&T campaign

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years leading engineering project teams to deliver propellant tanks or spacecraft propulsion systems
• Experience in fast-paced aerospace or startup environments
• Systems engineering experience, including requirements and verification planning
• Lean Six Sigma or project management training/certifications
• Experience applying AI-enabled engineering tools
• Experience leading teams through rapid hardware development cycles
• Spacecraft systems expertise outside propulsion
• Subject matter expertise for typical propulsion components

Compensation

• Senior Engineer Maryland salary range: $160,000 – $200,000
• Principal Engineer Maryland salary range: $180,000 - $230,000
• Equity participation and sign-on bonus opportunities may be available based on experience and qualifications

• Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity participation.

Additional Requirements

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