{"id":1276800,"url":"https://alion.io/job/agile-space-industries-staff-propulsion-engineer","title":"Staff Propulsion Engineer","company":{"id":38853,"name":"Agile Space Industries","domain":"agilespaceindustries.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/agile-space-industries","size_band":"51-200","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Paylocity","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":75,"open_postings":3,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":1,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":26,"computed_at":"2026-11-01T06:10:25Z"}},"role":"Aerospace","role_family":"Aerospace","seniority":"staff","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Seattle, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":144000,"max":200000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":200000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":12,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"Agile","optional":false},{"name":"ANSYS","optional":false},{"name":"MATLAB","optional":false},{"name":"Simulink","optional":false},{"name":"SolidWorks","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-08-20T23:04:11Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-26","last_verified_at":"2026-11-01T05:14:07Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":72,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":72},"description":"Description\nAgile Space Industries is a rapidly growing supplier of propulsion hardware and engineering services for the space industry. Headquartered in Durango, Colorado, with expanding operations in and Tulsa, Oklahoma, and upcoming growth in Seattle, Washington, Agile has achieved more than 40% year-over-year growth for the past three years, and our momentum continues to accelerate.\nAt Agile, we design, build, and test in-space propulsion systems that give spacecraft the ability to maneuver with precision, reliability, and purpose. Our technologies play a critical role in missions that range from lunar landings and resource utilization to national defense, human exploration, and commercial space transport.\nWe are seeking bold and driven individuals who thrive in a hands-on, fast-moving environment and want to help write the next chapter of space history as part of a close-knit, innovative team. You will take on a demanding and rewarding role at Agile, directly shaping the future of in-space propulsion. As an integral contributor during our growth stage, you will be eligible to participate in our stock option plan, giving you the opportunity to share in the long-term value you help create. All stock grants are subject to executive review and approval in accordance with the Company’s equity plan.\nAgile is seeking an experienced Staff Propulsion Design Engineer who will lead the design, development, and optimization of propulsion components and systems. This role requires deep technical expertise, cross-functional leadership, and the ability to drive Agile’s propulsion devices from concept through production. The ideal candidate for this role will also be able to interpret hot-fire test data and drive design modification as well as provide technical guidance to junior engineers on sound design practices. Agile follows a fast-paced culture and the ideal candidate will have the opportunity for growth and increased sphere of influence as a technical leader. Critical skillsets being sought after are expertise in heat transfer, fluid dynamics, rocket propulsion, spacecraft system architecture.\nResponsibilities:\nLead the design and development of hypergolic propulsion systems and components, including combustion devices, liquid rocket engines, propellant systems, and supporting components. \nEstablish architecture and design injectors for engines based on operational requirements including pulse mode, steady state or throttle operations and performance needs. \nDesign and layout of storable propellant rocket engine combustion devices. \nDefine and conduct trade studies to design combustion chambers for engines by balancing thermal restrictions and performance requirements by implementing the right cooling methods. \nWork with supplier(s) to identify the appropriate valves for propellant control based on hypergol compatibility and performance requirements like response times, cycle frequency, etc. \nPerform system-level trade studies, modeling, and simulation to optimize performance, efficiency, and reliability. Performance modeling can include use of TDK or similar industry standard tools. \nOwn hypergolic propulsion hardware from concept, detailed design, analysis, prototyping, testing, and production support. \nCollaborate cross-functionally with structures, thermal, manufacturing, and test teams. \nDevelop and review engineering documentation, including requirements, specifications, and design reviews. \nLead root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for design and test issues. \nSupport test campaigns, including planning, execution, data analysis, and reporting. \nPrepare formal presentations and reports for customer communication and gated product development reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.) \nEnsure compliance with industry standards, safety regulations, and quality requirements. \nProvide technical mentorship and guidance to junior engineers. \nContribute to long-term technology roadmaps and innovation initiatives. \nUtilize SolidWorks CAD for design of components and/or assemblies. \nRequirements\n M.S. or higher degree in related engineering or technical field. Equivalent professional experience will be considered in lieu of a degree. \n12+ Years of experience working on development of propulsion systems. Strong background in fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and combustion. \nDeep understanding of fuel film cooling and regenerative cooling in bipropellant engines as well as design experience to ensure thermal stability in engines. \nExperience working with performance modeling tools like TDK or similar JANNAF compliant tools commonly used in the storable propulsion industry. \nWorking knowledge of and experience with selection of valves for different chemical propulsion applications. \nMulti-disciplined engineer confident working through ambiguity and uncertainty across complex assignments. \nProven track record of delivering hypergolic propulsion systems from concept to production \nExperience with propulsion testing and data analysis, specifically liquid propulsion. \nPreferred Qualifications:\nExperience with chemical rocket propulsion systems. \nFamiliarity with CFD, FEA, and propulsion system modeling tools (e.g., ANSYS, MATLAB/Simulink) to understand analysis results. \nKnowledge of manufacturing processes such as additive manufacturing, machining, and casting \nExperience working in regulated industries (e.g., aerospace, defense). \nKnowledge of combustion instabilities. \nPrior technical leadership, project ownership and/or people management experience. \nThis position is open across multiple levels (Staff, Senior Staff, & Principal). Final leveling will be determined based on the candidate’s experience, skills, and overall qualifications during the interview process.\nPhysical Requirements: Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer\nEmployment Type: Exempt\nSalary: $144,000 - $200,000 annually. Final compensation will be based on factors such as experience, skills, and internal equity, and is typically made within the midrange, rather than the upper end.\nWork Schedule: Full Time\nLocation: Seattle, WA\n#LI-Onsite\nPosting Timeline: This position will remain open for a minimum of five (5) days and will continue to accept applications until the role is filled. Early applications are encouraged, as reviews and interviews may begin during the posting period.\nWhat You'll Love About Us: Agile Space Industries offers exceptional benefits to support you and your family including generous health coverage, dental and vision plans, Flexible Time Off, parental leave, and a 401(k) with 100% company match up to 4%. We are committed to creating a diverse work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.\nDisclaimer: Agile is proud to offer a competitive benefits package to support our team members as they take on challenging, mission-driven work. The benefits listed in this job description are applicable to full-time employees. Part-time, temporary, or other non-full-time employees may have different benefit eligibility in accordance with company policy and applicable plan terms.\nDon’t meet every single requirement? At Agile, we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly align with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the perfect fit for this role or another opportunity with us.\nReasonable Accommodation: At Agile, our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please submit a request to .\nRecruitment Notice: Agile Space Industries is not partnering with external recruiters or agencies at this time. Please do not contact our staff directly regarding open positions. All candidates must apply through our official application process to be considered.\nSalary Description\n$144,000 - $200,000","description_format":"text","description_chars":8346,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":12,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"master","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Equity","Flexible time off","Parental leave"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":[],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-26T01:59:47Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"US","licensed_sponsor":true,"evidence":"H-1B filings in 12 months: 2","filings_12m":2,"filings_prev_12m":0,"green_card_filings_12m":0,"median_offered_wage_usd":157500,"route":null,"cap_exempt":false,"checked_at":"2026-10-29T16:27:21+00:00","sources":["US Department of Labor: LCA disclosure data (H-1B, H-1B1, E-3)"],"filings_for_role_12m":0}],"liveness":{"score":15,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":1,"p_active":0.527,"p_room":0.28,"age_days":72,"expected_fill_days":26,"reasons":["conf:0","win:tail","crowd:"],"computed_at":"2026-11-01T06:10:25Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":200000,"is_top_pay":false},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/agile-space-industries-staff-propulsion-engineer","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/agile-space-industries-staff-propulsion-engineer.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-11-01T09:19:59Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":14467,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-02T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":38853},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=38853"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fagile-space-industries-staff-propulsion-engineer"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fagile-space-industries-staff-propulsion-engineer"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fagile-space-industries-staff-propulsion-engineer"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/agile-space-industries-staff-propulsion-engineer\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fagile-space-industries-staff-propulsion-engineer"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":1276800}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"agilespaceindustries.com","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":1276800},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. Docs: https://alion.io/developers"}}