Nyx Crew Propulsion Engine Principal

About the role

The Exploration Company is seeking an Engine Principal to own the full lifecycle development of next-generation high-thrust hypergolic propulsion systems for the Nyx orbital vehicle. You will be accountable for translating mission requirements into robust propulsion architectures while leading the technical strategy from initial concept definition to flight qualification. This role demands ownership of critical design decisions, cross-functional alignment, and rigorous risk management to ensure propulsion systems meet strict safety, reliability, and performance criteria. You will guide the team through complex engineering challenges, ensuring all activities adhere to human-rating standards and regulatory compliance. The successful candidate will foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement within the propulsion organization. You will serve as the primary technical authority for propulsion, interfacing directly with customers and partners to drive project success.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead the end-to-end development of high-thrust hypergolic rocket engines from concept through flight readiness, defining architecture and driving technical execution.
• Plan, coordinate, and own major program reviews including SRR, PDR, CDR, and TRR, while supporting certification activities and customer oversight.
• Establish propulsion system requirements and ensure strict compliance with industry standards, human-rating requirements, and quality processes across the entire product lifecycle.
• Conduct detailed trade studies, simulations, and analytical assessments to optimize engine performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost-efficiency.
• Manage the development, qualification, and acceptance of propulsion hardware, leading verification, validation, and flight-readiness activities.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks, driving resolution of anomalies and ensuring issues are resolved within schedule and budget constraints.
• Build and lead a high-performing multidisciplinary propulsion team, providing technical mentorship and fostering collaboration across engineering functions.
• Interface directly with suppliers and development partners, overseeing component selection, procurement, integration, and acceptance activities.
• Collaborate closely with systems engineering, avionics, and MAIT teams to ensure seamless integration of the propulsion system with the overall vehicle architecture.
• Communicate technical status, risks, and recommendations clearly to stakeholders, ensuring alignment between propulsion efforts and broader vehicle objectives.
• Own the propulsion technology roadmap, exploring innovation opportunities and long-term capabilities to support future mission needs.
• Drive the creation and maintenance of technical documentation, ensuring traceability from requirements through design, testing, and certification.
• Support proposal and customer review activities, providing deep technical insight into propulsion solutions and company capabilities.
• Champion a culture of safety, reliability, and continuous improvement within the propulsion organization and across The Exploration Company.
• Ensure all propulsion development activities are executed with a focus on schedule adherence, cost control, and technical excellence.

Requirements

• Hold a B.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical Design, Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a similar related discipline as the foundational educational requirement.
• Possess 10+ years of relevant engineering experience in propulsion or related fields, with advanced degrees considered in lieu of equivalent professional experience.
• Demonstrate a proven track record of designing, analyzing, integrating, and testing rocket engines for spaceflight applications.
• Show clear experience in developing human-rated systems and understanding the associated safety and certification implications.
• Have working knowledge of throttleable high-thrust hypergolic propulsion cycles and their integration into space vehicles.
• Understand environmental testing methods, including vibration, shock, acoustic, and vacuum testing relevant to space hardware.
• Bring experience collaborating with external customers such as NASA, AFRL, DARPA, and other government or commercial agencies.
• Have a strong history of working with component suppliers and managing complex procurement activities in a technical context.
• Be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship due to federal regulations such as ITAR/EAR.
• Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, such as a current Green Card holder, to meet export control requirements.
• Commit to working from the designated location in Houston, Texas, where the core propulsion development activities are based.
• Align with the company's operational constraints, including adherence to required hours, travel when necessary, and applicable visa requirements if applicable.
• Meet all deadlines and milestones as driven by program needs, ensuring timely delivery against demanding project schedules.
• Maintain strict adherence to quality processes and documentation standards required for aerospace and human-rated systems.

Nice to have

Only if The Exploration Company specifies preferred qualifications or skills in their current openings, which are not detailed in the provided SOURCE text.

Practical notes

This role is based in Houston, Texas, and requires in-person presence at the designated location. The Engagement type is full_time, with hours and schedule determined by program needs, including potential travel and adherence to visa requirements where applicable. Applicants must meet U.S. citizenship or permanent residency requirements due to ITAR/EAR regulations. No official apply page or application instructions are provided in the SOURCE material, so interested candidates should submit their CV as directed in the original job description for immediate consideration.