Mechanical Engineer III - Tank Qualification Lead

The role

You will lead the design, development, qualification, and acceptance of spacecraft propellant tanks and pressurized fluid system hardware. You will drive engineering requirements, structural assessments, and test execution while coordinating with cross-functional engineering teams.

What you will do

• Lead end-to-end qualification activities for spacecraft propellant tanks and pressurized fluid system hardware.
• Establish and manage tank qualification requirements, design criteria, and test specifications.
• Lead the development and evaluation of tank structural designs and mechanical configurations.
• Perform and review pressure vessel structural analyses including stress, strain, and fatigue.
• Evaluate tank performance under operating, proof, burst, and qualification pressure conditions.
• Develop qualification and acceptance test strategies.
• Lead the preparation and execution of tank qualification test campaigns.
• Evaluate test results and correlate analytical predictions with measured performance.
• Lead technical investigations involving tank anomalies, test failures, and nonconformances.
• Coordinate with materials, propulsion, manufacturing, and quality teams.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 7+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, pressure vessel design, propulsion systems, or aerospace hardware development.
• Experience designing, developing, testing, or qualifying pressure vessels, propellant tanks, or other pressurized aerospace hardware.
• Understanding of pressure vessel mechanics, structural integrity, stress analysis, pressure loading, fatigue, fracture mechanics, and failure modes.
• Experience developing pressure vessel qualification plans, test procedures, acceptance criteria, and certification documentation.
• Experience supporting or leading proof pressure, burst pressure, leak testing, and other pressure vessel qualification activities.
• Experience evaluating material properties, manufacturing processes, weld integrity, and material compatibility.
• Familiarity with pressure vessel design standards, aerospace structural design requirements, and industry codes.
• Experience with structural analysis tools such as ANSYS, NASTRAN, Abaqus, or equivalent.
• Experience developing and reviewing mechanical drawings, engineering specifications, and bills of material.
• Ability to interpret test data, correlate analytical models, and investigate hardware anomalies.
• Ability to independently lead complex engineering activities in a fast-paced environment.

Nice to have

• Experience qualifying spacecraft propellant tanks, high-pressure gas vessels, or COPVs.
• Experience with spacecraft propulsion systems.
• Familiarity with metallic pressure vessel construction.
• Experience with welded, brazed, bonded, or additively manufactured pressure vessel structures.
• Familiarity with ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, NASA standards, or MIL-STD requirements.
• Experience with non-destructive inspection (NDI/NDE) methods.
• Experience developing and executing pressure cycling, fatigue, leak, proof, burst, and environmental qualification campaigns.
• Familiarity with fracture control, damage tolerance, material allowables, and life prediction methodologies.
• Experience with pressure vessel manufacturing readiness and supplier qualification.
• Experience supporting spacecraft environmental testing.

Benefits

• Ownership
• Innovation
• Impact
• Growth
• Competitive salary
• Equity
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Generous leave
• HSA
• 401(k) matching

Before you apply

• Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

About the company

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Their high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions.