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Catalyx Space is building infrastructure to democratize access to space, offering unmanned labs, testbeds, and re-entry capsules for payload retrieval across LEO, deep space, and lunar orbit. The company serves biopharma, semiconductors, materials science, and defense sectors with affordable, flexible solutions.
As a Propulsion Engineer III, you will lead the design and development of next-generation entry systems and propulsion architecture. This is a senior technical role with significant ownership and leadership responsibilities.
Key responsibilities include:
- Own propulsion system architecture and overall design from concept through flight integration
- Lead valve development and coordinate with mechanical teams on COPV (composite overwrapped pressure vessel) design and validation
- Define and review requirements for tanks, plumbing, and system integration
- Provide technical direction to the propulsion team on design, testing, and validation approaches
- Manage the full lifecycle of propulsion hardware, including concept reviews, design reviews, qualification testing, and integration into flight systems
- Perform material selection and guide manufacturing trade-offs
- Select sensors appropriate to propellant chemistry and test conditions
- Conduct or oversee CFD simulations for propulsion and fluid systems
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
- 5+ years of experience in propulsion system design and testing
- Strong expertise in fluid systems, valves, and feed system architectures
- Proficiency in GD&T, DFM, and design for additive manufacturing
- Advanced CAD skills in SolidWorks (modeling, assemblies, drafting)
- Experience with CFD simulation methods for propulsion applications
- Demonstrated ability to lead hardware development projects
Preferred experience includes flight heritage, earth-storable non-toxic bipropellant systems, static fire test setup and execution, propulsion safety standards, and algorithmic engineering design methods.
