Head of Ground Systems Engineering

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.

GS0 is our launch system that can be produced and validated in factory environments before being shipped and deployed to any launch site in the world. It's modular and adaptable, needing only a flat concrete pad and a small team to activate the new facility. As a Head of GS0, you and your team will take ownership of the hardware implementation of all the fluid systems and their enclosures in this system. You will coordinate with the structures and electrical systems teams to produce streamlined, cross-functional designs that are simple to maintain, improve, and deploy. This is a fast-paced, ever-evolving work environment where no two days are going to be the same.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate and prioritize several concurrent programs: gather requirements from stakeholders and industry standards, drive down open trades, and produce high-quality designs and documentation
• 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, and more advanced analysis packages
• Work with structures, electrical systems, and launch and test engineers to ensure clean cross-functional design
• Provide technical mentorship and expertise throughout the system architecting, design, and analysis processes
• Develop and execute staffing plans, ensuring we have a well-rounded and robust team
• Manage project schedules, compliance with internal and external requirements, budget, milestones, and track project status
• Develop processes, systems, and trainings to improve team efficiency
• Drive designs for reliability, manufacturability, operations, and maintenance

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or similar degree from accredited university
• Experience designing and/or analyzing complex mechanical and fluid systems, using Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID’s), CAD, and mechanical and fluid analysis software
• 5+ years of professional engineering experience working in aerospace, defense, automotive, naval, oil/gas, power generation, or equivalent professional environments with direct hands-on experience developing complex fluid and/or mechanical systems
• 2+ years of experience leading engineering teams and working across engineering groups to define requirements and implement solutions

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES:

• Design, analysis, and/or operational experience with propellants, cryogenics, pyrophoric chemicals, and high pressure systems
• Experience working on government and commercial launch ranges, including regulatory compliance specifications like AFSPCMAN 91-710
• Experience interrogating and designing piping assemblies using CAD and PLM (preferably Siemens NX and Teamcenter)
• 2+ years creating and interpreting engineering drawings with GD&T
• Ability to interpret piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID’s)
• Strong knowledge of compressible/incompressible flow, fluid properties, and utilities like REFPROP
• Experience using GFSSP or other fluid network analysis tools
• Experience with technical writing and communication including engineering processes and design reviews

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.