Engineering Manager, Propulsion Vehicle Subsystem (Aerospace)

Location: Onsite near Denver, Colorado or Long Beach, California, United States

Base salary: $165,000–$290,000 per year, plus equity and benefits.

Company

Space technology organization developing autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors for U.S. and allied space security missions.

What you will do

• Own the strategy and execution of propulsion systems across Jackal, space-based interceptor, and future vehicle programs.
• Lead, hire, and develop propulsion system and component engineers and analysts.
• Oversee requirements, component selection, subsystem design, analysis, testing, interfaces, and flight hardware delivery.
• Provide technical approval for designs, trade studies, analyses, work plans, and major propulsion decisions.
• Manage technical, cost, schedule, resource, supplier, and cross-functional risks across multiple programs.
• Work with Supply Chain to ensure vendors meet performance and delivery commitments.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering.
• 10+ years of professional experience in propulsion and fluid systems engineering for aerospace, launch vehicle, or defense applications.
• At least 3 years of direct people management or influential engineering leadership experience.
• Experience leading engineering teams through development cycles and managing concurrent workstreams, schedules, budgets, and risks.
• Background in space propulsion or fluid system design, analysis, or testing.
• U.S. citizenship or another ITAR-eligible status is required, and candidates must be located near Denver or Long Beach.

Nice to have

• Experience managing a space vehicle development program.
• Experience with hypergolic propellants such as NTO, MMH, or UDMH, including material compatibility, PPE, and secondary containment.
• Experience scaling an engineering team during a high-growth or startup phase.
• Master’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering.
• Active DoD Secret clearance or ability to obtain one.

Culture & Benefits

• Culture centered on technical rigor, safety, accountability, ownership, creativity, and collaboration.
• Company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage with HSA/HRA options.
• Flexible Time Off or accrued PTO of up to 25 days, plus 12 paid holidays, parental leave, and sick leave.
• 401(k) retirement plan, fitness reimbursement, equity participation, catered lunches, and office snacks.

Hiring process

• The position remains open until successfully filled.