Propulsion Engineer, Propulsion Simulation & Data Analysis

PROPULSION ENGINEER, PROPULSION SIMULATION & DATA ANALYSIS (RAPTOR)

The Raptor Systems Modeling and Control Team is responsible for the power-balance, optimal control, and calibration of one of the worlds most prolific and advanced rocket engines. In addition to this we aid in root cause analysis for anomaly resolution, providing data and model driven insights supporting operations and components teams in high-consequence decision making. Our models and analysis are relied upon day-in-and-day-out to evaluate the safety and optimality of flight trajectories. With hundreds of engines, hundreds of simulations, and hundreds of hot fire operations, the work we do guides both the engine design process and operation of every single mission and engine test. In this role you will work with brilliant, passionate engineers to develop rapid, seamless processes to translate engine test data into accurate predictions of future performance for the most reliable and cutting-edge rocket engines in the world.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain and improve the accuracy of the lumped-parameter thermofluid physics model of the Raptor engine
• Conduce engine cycle analysis to steer future-state engine design and thrust upgrades
• Conduct anomaly resolution utilizing the engine model and sparse instrumentation
• Develop a detailed understanding of the physics underlying rocket engine performance, sources of performance variability, as well as related modeling and measurement techniques
• Maintain and improve the accuracy of the representation of the Raptor engine used in integrated vehicle simulations, control software validation and flight Monte Carlo analysis
• Develop tools and portals to understand the sources of engine performance variability and enact improvements to manufacturing and engine hardware design
• Automate processes and software tools that are used to predict test performance and generate flight performance predictions for GNC (guidance, navigation, and control) and flight software
• Collaborate with engineers across the company to extend and improve interoperability among existing tools as well as to standardize hardware and software practices, tools, and methods to maximize functionality and value while minimizing future overhead and obsolescence

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: