Propulsion Systems Engineering & Integration Engineer/Lead

Propulsion Systems Engineering & Integration (SE&I) Engineer/Lead 

Houston, TX  

About Intuitive Machines:  

Intuitive Machines is an innovative and cutting-edge space company making cislunar space accessible to both public and private customers. Our mission is to further science and exploration, communications, and economic progress from the Earth to the Moon and beyond. With multiple NASA lunar missions in development and additional private missions on our manifest, we pride ourselves in supporting NASA, our customers, and the nation in paving the way to return humans to the surface of the Moon. Our world-class team includes experts in all aspects of spacecraft subsystems design, development, and test, on-orbit operations, and safety.  

About the Position:  

We are seeking a Propulsion Systems Engineering & Integration (SE&I) Engineer / Lead to coordinate and deliver propulsion-related SE&I products across multiple spacecraft programs. This role supports both cryogenic and non-cryogenic propellant systems and serves as a focal point between propulsion engineering, systems engineering, safety and mission assurance, and program leadership.

Depending on experience, this position may be filled at the Engineer or Senior Engineer level, with responsibilities, scope, authority, and compensation scaling accordingly. This role is expected to contribute both as a technical integrator and, as program needs require, as a propulsion engineer within the broader group.  

Responsibilities:  

• Serve as the propulsion SE&I focal point across multiple programs, coordinating propulsion-related systems engineering products and activities.
• Lead the development, maintenance, and delivery of propulsion SE&I artifacts, including requirements and traceability, interface definitions and ICDs, verification and validation plans and matrices, and ConOps inputs.
• Ensure propulsion systems comply with NASA, DoD, and industry standards, supporting program certification, qualification, and acceptance activities.
• Coordinate propulsion inputs to design reviews, milestone reviews, and board packages, ensuring technical consistency and readiness.
• Interface closely with systems engineering, safety/mission assurance, program management, and subsystem leads to resolve cross-disciplinary issues.
• Support hazard analyses, fault tolerance discussions, and verification closure activities related to propulsion systems.
• Track propulsion system technical margins, assumptions, and risks, and communicate impacts clearly to stakeholders.
• Support configuration control, change management, and documentation alignment for propulsion-related products.
• Depending on experience and program needs, contribute to propulsion system design, analysis, test planning, or anomaly resolution.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance in systems thinking, documentation quality, and program execution expectations.

General Requirements:  

Required Education, Experience, and Skills 

• BS or MS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Minimum experience: BS + 2 years or MS + 1 year of relevant engineering experience. Senior-level candidates typically bring substantially more experience and demonstrated ownership.
• Working knowledge of systems engineering processes and SE&I products.
• Familiarity with NASA and/or DoD standards, review processes, and certification flows.
• Fundamental understanding of spacecraft propulsion systems, including cryogenic and/or storable propellants and pressurized fluid systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to coordinate across disciplines.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to technical detail.

Senior-Level Expectations (If Filled at Senior Level) 

• Demonstrated ownership of propulsion or subsystem SE&I scope on one or more flight programs.
• Ability to independently plan, execute, and deliver propulsion SE&I products across the program lifecycle.
• Experience representing propulsion systems in formal reviews and technical boards.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional technical discussions and resolve system-level issues.

Preferred / Differentiating Experience 

• Direct experience delivering SE&I products for NASA, DoD, and/or human-rated programs.
• Experience with propulsion system certification, qualification, or acceptance processes.
• Familiarity with requirements management, configuration management, or issue tracking tools (e.g., DOORS, Jira).
• Background that includes both systems engineering and hands-on propulsion engineering.

US EEO Statement:  

Intuitive Machines is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.