---
title: 'Propulsion Engineer II (Analyst) at Quantum Space'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/propulsion-engineer-ii-analyst-quantum-space-rockville-md-or-hawthorne-zsvbywma7nwk'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-01'
---

# Propulsion Engineer II (Analyst) at Quantum Space

- **Company:** Quantum Space
- **Location:** Rockville MD OR Hawthorne, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-10-29
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-01
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/quantumspacellc/jobs/4472383009

## Job description

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking a motivated and technically driven Propulsion Engineer II to contribute to the development and analysis of advanced propellant tanks, pumps, and next-generation spacecraft propulsion systems supporting Ranger missions.

In this role, you will perform fluid systems and computational fluid dynamics analyses that inform the development and performance of spacecraft propulsion systems. You will work closely with propulsion, mechanical, systems, manufacturing, test, and flight operations teams to solve complex technical challenges and support propulsion hardware throughout the product lifecycle.

This position is ideal for an engineer with strong analytical capabilities who enjoys solving complex fluid dynamics and propulsion problems, developing high-quality engineering models, and contributing directly to flight-ready spacecraft systems.

Where You’ll Make an Impact

- Develop and execute piping network analyses for spacecraft propulsion and fluid systems
- Develop and execute computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses, including Volume of Fluid (VOF) and plume analyses
- Perform propulsion system trade studies and technical evaluations supporting spacecraft architecture decisions
- Develop engineering analyses, models, and technical documentation supporting propulsion system and hardware development
- Analyze propulsion and fluid system performance and provide technical recommendations based on modeling and simulation results
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver propulsion solutions that meet technical and program objectives
- Investigate propulsion system and hardware anomalies, perform root-cause analysis, and develop technically sound recommendations
- Contribute to the development of propulsion engineering standards, analytical best practices, and continuous process improvements
- Support technical reviews including System Requirements Review (SRR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), Critical Design Review (CDR), Test Readiness Review (TRR), and Flight Readiness Review (FRR)
- Operate within a fast-paced development environment focused on rapid execution, technical excellence, and mission success

What It Takes

- Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
- 3+ years of experience working with propulsion systems, fluid systems, or related aerospace applications
- Experience developing and executing piping network analyses using commercial analysis tools such as SINDA/FLUINT or GFSSP
- Experience developing and executing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Volume of Fluid (VOF) and plume analyses using commercial CFD tools such as ANSYS Fluent or STAR-CCM+
- Demonstrated ability to independently execute complex technical analyses while collaborating effectively with engineers and cross-functional stakeholders
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, iterative spacecraft development environment

Nice-to-Have Experience

- Experience designing spacecraft propulsion systems, fluid systems, propellant tanks, pumps, or related aerospace hardware
- Experience integrating spacecraft propulsion systems or related fluid system hardware
- Experience planning, executing, or supporting propulsion system or component testing and qualification
- Experience leading significant engineering tasks supporting the development of propellant tanks, pumps, or spacecraft propulsion systems
- Experience performing Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
- Experience performing performance analysis of pump-fed spacecraft propulsion systems
- Experience designing, analyzing, or testing propellant management devices (PMDs)
- Experience with laser welding, friction stir welding, or other advanced aerospace manufacturing processes
- Experience machining aerospace-grade components using CNC equipment
- Experience testing propulsion systems utilizing propellants such as hydrazine and MON-3
- Experience designing gear pumps, pump motors, or other spacecraft fluid system components
- Experience supporting subsystem integration, environmental testing, launch campaign activities, or mission readiness
- Experience supporting fast-paced aerospace, defense, or commercial space programs
- Experience utilizing AI-enabled engineering, modeling, or design optimization tools

## What You’ll Get

- Ownership – Take responsibility for mission-critical propulsion analyses and engineering efforts supporting spacecraft systems from development through flight
- Innovation – Help develop advanced propulsion technologies enabling next-generation spacecraft mobility and maneuverability
- Impact – Contribute to reliable, flight-ready propulsion systems supporting national security, civil, and commercial space missions
- Growth – Join a multidisciplinary engineering team where you'll contribute to complex propulsion challenges and expand your expertise across spacecraft development and mission execution
- Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity participation

Location: Rockville, MD or Hawthorne, CA

Base Salary: $110,000 to $160,000

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.

Additional Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Apply now. Join us in building the next generation of spacecraft.

## About Quantum Space

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Quantum Space is building the next generation of advanced, maneuverable spacecraft (the Ranger platform) to disrupt the orbital economy by reducing the cost of operating across every orbit the nation needs to hold, from LEO through GEO and out to cislunar space.
- **Entity Type**: Private (going public via merger with Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VI; anticipated ticker QSPC)
- **Headquarters**: Rockville, Maryland, United States
- **Founded**: 2022
- **Founders**: Dr. Kam Ghaffarian (Executive Chairman & Co-founder), Ben Reed (Chief Technology Officer), Adarsh Parekh (President & Co-founder), Kerry Wisnosky (Co-founder)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Defense and Space Manufacturing, National Security Space, Cislunar Infrastructure
- **Target customers**: Primarily Government (U.S. national security space agencies, Space Force, NASA, DARPA)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: To enable the freedom to maneuver in space for the United States, providing a maneuver-first architecture engineered for multi-orbit operations at scale.

## Products & Services
- **Ranger Spacecraft Platform**: A highly maneuverable orbital transfer and servicing platform. Key specs include up to 4,000+ kg of storable hydrazine, multi-mode propulsion, a 15-year operational life, on-orbit refueling capability, and a modular payload architecture. It is designed to reach GEO and beyond at up to 70% lower cost than conventional architectures.
- **Space Domain Awareness**: Providing ubiquitous awareness of activities on orbit, delivering actionable intelligence.
- **Payload Hosting & Data Services**: A standardized platform capable of being configured for any mission at any orbit, hosting government and commercial payloads.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed for the private company; the SPAC merger agreement values the combined entity, but specific valuation is not publicly available.
- **Key Metric**: $88M+ in secured government contracts. Total funding of $56.1M across 6 prior funding rounds.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VI (SPAC merger partner); Dr. Kam Ghaffarian (also founded Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ: LUNR), X-energy (NASDAQ: XE), Axiom Space); Jim Bridenstine (CEO, former NASA Administrator).
- **Growth Signals**: Aggressive hiring with 31 active job postings and +158.3% monthly job posting growth; acquired Phase Four's multi-mode propulsion assets in September 2025; constructing a manufacturing facility at Tulsa International Airport; awarded a DARPA LASSO contract; going public via SPAC merger.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Massive Fuel Capacity & Maneuverability**: 4,000+ kg of storable fuel is significantly more than current spacecraft, and the multi-mode propulsion allows for speed, efficiency, and flexibility across all orbits.
- **Refuelable & Modular Architecture**: Designed for on-orbit refueling and a modular payload system, enabling long-duration missions (15 years) and rapid reconfiguration.
- **Deep IP Moat**: 17 issued and pending patents protecting the core technology.
- **Cost Disruption**: Claims up to 70% cost reduction for operations beyond LEO and up to 10x+ launch cost savings compared to conventional architectures.
- **National Security Focus**: Deeply embedded with U.S. Space Command and national security priorities, with leadership that includes former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and a 40-year Missile Defense Agency veteran.

## Strategic Focus
- **Golden Dome / National Security**: The company's Ranger spacecraft is positioned as a key platform for the proposed "Golden Dome" national security space architecture.
- **SPAC Merger & Public Listing**: Completing the merger with Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VI to go public under the ticker QSPC.
- **Manufacturing Expansion**: Building out manufacturing capacity in Tulsa, OK, and Huntsville, AL, to scale production of the Ranger platform.
- **Cislunar Operations**: Developing capabilities for operations in cislunar space, including winning the DARPA LASSO contract.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-Driven**: The company is focused on a critical national security mission, offering employees a chance to work on technology that directly impacts U.S. space superiority.
- **High Growth Trajectory**: Rapidly scaling from a startup to a public company, with aggressive hiring, new facility construction, and major government contracts.
- **Flexible Work Environment**: The company emphasizes work-life balance and offers flexible working arrangements. Roles are available across multiple locations (Rockville, MD; Huntsville, AL; Hawthorne, CA; Tulsa, OK).
- **Competitive Compensation**: Offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, generous leave (including parental leave), FSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing.
- **Tight-Knit Team**: Described as a fast-paced, tight-knit team of engineers and scientists, offering exposure to the full lifecycle of mission development, launch, and operations.

## Sources
1. [quantumspace.us](https://www.quantumspace.us/)
2. [quantumspace.us/about](https://www.quantumspace.us/about)
3. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/quantumspace-us)
4. [investors.quantumspace.us](https://investors.quantumspace.us/)
5. [Greenhouse Careers Page](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/quantumspacellc/jobs/4193183009)

## Other roles at Quantum Space

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- [Thermal Engineer II](https://feeny.ai/job/thermal-engineer-ii-quantum-space-rockville-jmdgrr0v7wb7) — Rockville, MD
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- [Propulsion Engineer II](https://feeny.ai/job/propulsion-engineer-ii-quantum-space-rockville-md-or-hawthorne-nvb05k58dvvr) — Rockville MD OR Hawthorne, CA
- [Mission Operations Engineer II](https://feeny.ai/job/mission-operations-engineer-ii-quantum-space-hawthorne-asvhk4wramzs) — Hawthorne, CA
- [Mission Operations Engineer I](https://feeny.ai/job/mission-operations-engineer-i-quantum-space-hawthorne-qk5gmgdqyf98) — Hawthorne, CA
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- [Controller](https://feeny.ai/job/controller-quantum-space-rockville-am48bcdwcm6x) — Rockville, MD