Propulsion Engineer – Component Test & Acceptance
Houston, TX
About Intuitive MachinesIntuitive Machines is an innovative and cutting-edge space company making cislunar space accessible to both public and private customers. We believe our mission is to further research, communications, and exploration beyond low lunar orbit. With multiple NASA lunar missions in the making and additional private missions on our manifest, we pride ourselves in supporting NASA, 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 spacecraft subsystems design, development, and test, on-orbit operations, and safety.
About the RoleWe are seeking a Propulsion Engineer to support the testing and acceptance of propulsion system components, with primary responsibility for test procedure development and execution, data review, and certification documentation for flight and ground hardware. The role also contributes to broader propulsion engineering efforts across the program lifecycle, including integration, anomaly resolution, and test or mission operations support as needed.
Depending on experience, this role may include ownership of specific propulsion components. As technical capability and demonstrated responsibility increase, scope is expected to expand to include component-level requirements definition, design, test planning, data disposition, and coordination with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Support acceptance and qualification testing of propulsion system components, including proof pressure testing, leak testing, functional testing, and performance characterization.
- Develop, review, and execute component acceptance test procedures consistent with aerospace standards.
- Review test data for compliance to acceptance criteria and support disposition of nonconformances or anomalies.
- Generate and maintain test reports, data packages, and acceptance documentation required for flight and ground hardware certification.
- Support test readiness reviews, test configuration control, and post-test data reviews
- Coordinate with technicians and test operators during test setup, execution, and teardown to ensure safe and repeatable operations.
- Contribute to general propulsion engineering tasks as required, supporting system design, build, test, verification, and operations activities across multiple programs.
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related Engineering discipline
- Minimum experience: Bachelor’s degree + 2 years of relevant engineering experience, or Master’s degree + 1 year of relevant engineering experience
- Experience testing aerospace, propulsion, or pressure system hardware.
- Experience writing, executing, or reviewing engineering test procedures and technical documentation.
- Ability to reduce, interpret, and clearly document test data.
- Working understanding of propulsion or pressure system components such as valves, regulators, sensors, and other fluid hardware.
- Strong attention to detail, safety, and configuration control in a flight or test hardware environment.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills and ability to work effectively in a collaborative engineering team.
- Experience performing acceptance, qualification, or certification testing of aerospace pressure or propulsion components.
- Familiarity with aerospace standards and controlled test procedures.
- Experience with pressure testing, leak testing, and functional testing of fluid system components.
- Hands-on experience supporting component or subsystem testing in a lab or test facility.
- Experience working closely with technicians or test operators during hazardous or safety-critical testing
- Proficiency with engineering data analysis tools such as MATLAB, Python, or Excel
- Experience with CAD tools (Creo, SolidWorks, or similar)
Intuitive Machines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration 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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related Engineering discipline
- Bachelor's degree plus 2 years of relevant engineering experience, or Master's degree plus 1 year of relevant engineering experience
- Experience testing aerospace, propulsion, or pressure system hardware
- Experience writing, executing, or reviewing engineering test procedures and technical documentation
- Ability to reduce, interpret, and clearly document test data
- Working understanding of propulsion or pressure system components, including valves, regulators, sensors, and fluid hardware
- Strong attention to detail, safety, and configuration control in a flight or test hardware environment
- Clear written and verbal communication skills and ability to work effectively in a collaborative engineering team
- Experience performing acceptance, qualification, or certification testing of aerospace pressure or propulsion components
- Familiarity with aerospace standards and controlled test procedures
- Experience with pressure testing, leak testing, and functional testing of fluid system components
- Hands-on experience supporting component or subsystem testing in a lab or test facility
- Experience working closely with technicians or test operators during hazardous or safety-critical testing
- Proficiency with engineering data analysis tools such as MATLAB, Python, or Excel
- Experience with CAD tools such as Creo, SolidWorks, or similar
What We Do
Intuitive Machines' complete lunar program unlocks the lunar economy to explore the solar system further and gain knowledge for the progress of humanity. As the premier provider of space services and technologies, Intuitive Machines is reestablishing the United States' dominance on the ultimate high ground, the Moon. Designed by the greatest minds in spaceflight, IM's lunar program will send the first American spacecraft to the surface of the Moon since the Apollo program and send the first spacecraft ever to reach the lunar south pole.
