Darpa Program Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Here at The Exploration Company, we are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space vehicle that will carry cargo and ultimately humans to and from low Earth orbit. The Nyx Crew team is driving this evolution from cargo to crew, designing for next-generation reliability, user-centered design, and commercial efficiency.

This is a unique opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a global human spaceflight program.

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Engine Principal to drive the development of next-generation high-thrust hypergolic propulsion systems for crewed spaceflight applications. This individual will be responsible for leading the engine development effort from early concept and architecture definition through qualification and flight readiness, ensuring the successful delivery of safe, reliable, and high-performance propulsion hardware.

As a key technical leader within the organization, the Engine Principal will play a central role in shaping propulsion strategy, developing team capabilities, mitigating technical risks, and ensuring propulsion systems meet demanding performance, reliability, schedule, and cost objectives.

• Technical Leadership

  • Lead the end-to-end development of high-thrust hypergolic rocket engines from concept through flight readiness.

  • Lead preparation and execution of major program reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, etc.), supporting certification activities and customer reviews.

  • Ensure compliance with industry standards, human-rating requirements, and quality processes throughout the product lifecycle.

• Engine Architecture

  • Establish engine architecture and drive key design decisions.

  • Conduct trade studies, simulation, and analytical assessments to optimize engine performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost.

  • Own propulsion technical requirements and contribute to long-term propulsion technology strategy and innovation roadmaps.

• Program Execution

  • Plan, coordinate, and oversee engine development activities to achieve technical, schedule, and budget objectives.

  • Lead development and qualification, including verification, validation, certification, and flight-readiness activities.

  • Identify and mitigate technical risks, resolve anomalies, and deliver qualified flight hardware aligned with program milestones.

• Team Leadership & Capability Development

  • Build, lead, and develop a high-performing multidisciplinary propulsion team.

  • Provide technical mentorship to engineers and technicians.

  • Foster a culture of technical excellence, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Stakeholder, Supplier & Cross-Functional Management

  • Lead technical interactions with suppliers, development partners, and external stakeholders, including component selection, procurement, oversight, and acceptance activities.

  • Collaborate closely with systems engineering, avionics, MAIT, and program teams to ensure successful propulsion system integration.

  • Communicate technical status, risks, and recommendations while ensuring alignment between propulsion activities and broader vehicle development objectives.

• B.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical Design, Engineering, Engineering Technology, or similar related discipline

• 10+ years of relevant engineering experience. Relevant advanced degrees will be considered in lieu of equivalent experience.

• Demonstrated experience designing, analyzing, integrating, and testing engines for space vehicles.

• Demonstrated experience in developing human rated systems.

• Working knowledge of throttleable high thrust hypergolic engines.

• Knowledge of environmental testing, such as vibration, shock, acoustic, and/or vacuum.

• Experience working with external customers such as commercial companies and government agencies (NASA, AFRL, DARPA, etc.) and component suppliers.

Due to federal regulations (e.g., ITAR/EAR), applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (e.g., current Green Card holders).

Location: Houston, TX.