---
title: 'Propulsion Engineer II at Quantum Space'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/propulsion-engineer-ii-quantum-space-rockville-md-or-hawthorne-nvb05k58dvvr'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-01'
---

# Propulsion Engineer II 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/4472402009

## 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 Engineer II – Propulsion to contribute to the development of advanced propellant tanks, pumps, and next-generation spacecraft propulsion systems supporting Ranger missions. In this role, you will help design, develop, qualify, integrate, and support flight propulsion hardware that enables high-mobility spacecraft for national security, civil, and commercial space applications.

Working closely with propulsion, mechanical, systems, manufacturing, test, and flight operations teams, you will support propulsion hardware throughout the full product lifecycle—from concept development through flight operations. This position is ideal for an engineer who enjoys solving complex technical challenges, taking ownership of hardware development, and contributing directly to flight-ready spacecraft systems.

Where You'll Make an Impact

- Contribute to the design, development, and qualification of propellant tanks, pumps, and advanced spacecraft propulsion systems
- Execute engineering tasks across design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, qualification, integration, and flight support activities
- Perform propulsion system trade studies and technical evaluations supporting spacecraft architecture decisions
- Develop engineering analyses, models, and technical documentation supporting propulsion hardware development
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver propulsion hardware on schedule while meeting technical and program objectives
- Support subsystem integration, environmental testing, launch campaign activities, and mission readiness
- Investigate propulsion hardware anomalies, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions
- Contribute to the development of propulsion engineering standards, 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 developing propulsion systems, fluid systems, or related aerospace hardware
- Experience designing, analyzing, fabricating, testing, and integrating propellant tanks, pumps, or spacecraft propulsion systems
- Demonstrated ability to independently execute technical work from concept through implementation while collaborating effectively with engineers, technicians, manufacturing personnel, 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 leading significant engineering tasks supporting the development of propellant tanks, pumps, or spacecraft propulsion systems
- Experience performing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and/or 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 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 hardware and systems from concept through flight
- Innovation – Help develop advanced propulsion technologies enabling next-generation spacecraft mobility and maneuverability
- Impact – Deliver reliable, flight-ready propulsion systems supporting national security, civil, and commercial space missions
- Growth – Join a multidisciplinary engineering team where you'll contribute across propulsion development, integration, testing, 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–$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, technical expertise, critical skills, and 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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- [Mission Operations Engineer II](https://feeny.ai/job/mission-operations-engineer-ii-quantum-space-hawthorne-asvhk4wramzs) — Hawthorne, CA
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