Dark Fission Space Systems provided pay range
This range is provided by Dark Fission Space Systems. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range
$120,000.00/yr - $150,000.00/yr
Additional compensation types
RSUs
Position Narrative
We are looking for individuals with a unique combination of talent, experience and imagination who also believe in our vision and will commit to help make it a reality. We are seeking a Mechanical and Materials Engineer to help us validate our patented design for our nuclear thermal rocket engine's critical piece of technology, its fuel element. Our ideal candidate is an energetic and enthusiastic problem solver, applying their experience with high-temperature materials in extreme operating environments. In this role, your principal objective will be to rapidly and iteratively conceive, develop, and evaluate fuel element designs that meet or exceed the most demanding performance requirements found within the heart of a fission reactor. This is a full-time position located in Loudoun County, Virginia, with occasional travel to vendors and other development partners within the United States.
Compensation, Work Schedule and Benefits
* Base salary range: $120,000 - $150,000 annual
* Hybrid work schedule negotiable, but no fewer than 20 hours per week on site
* Full medical and dental insurance coverage
* Significant equity stake in our rapidly growing company
A typical day might include the following:
* Serving as the subject matter expert for the implementation of high-temperature materials (refractory metals, ceramics, carbides) in highly engineered solutions operating in extreme environments (temperature, pressure and vibration)
* Helping stand up and lead a small, dedicated team of designers, analysts, manufacturing personnel and technicians to design, produce and test a variety of fuel element prototypes
* Leading and performing trade studies, detailed design tasks and material analyses for fuel element containment and associated structures
* Provide detailed performance analyses with recommendations and associated risk analyses
* Produce detailed 3D CAD and 2D drawings as part of a technical data package
* Produce test article manufacturing and material specifications; engage vendors and partners to translate specifications into producible and testable prototypes
* Collaborate with the company's test team to produce test specifications, plans, procedures and equipment packages to ensure successful completion of test campaigns
* Co-chair test readiness reviews for fuel element components and assemblies; produce after-action reports, and support failure investigations as required
* Produce final test reports that inform future design iterations and affect overall reactor performance predictions
* Support the definition of engine development roadmaps, with consideration to performance, cost and schedule risks
* Contribute to interdisciplinary projects to assess impacts of changes in fuel element designs and associated performance across other engine systems
* Support chief systems engineer when changes to vehicle performance and launch operations are being considered
* Lead and mentor junior design staff in deployment of design best practices
This job might be for you if you have these:
* B.S. in Aerospace/Mechanical/Industrial Engineering or equivalent
* 3+ Years of directly relevant experience in the utilization of high-temperature materials in highly engineered solutions operating in extreme environments
* 3+ years of experience in the use of 3D CAD tools (e.g. NX, Solidworks, CATIA, etc.)
* Experience in the use of additive manufacturing materials and processes for aluminum, steel, refractory metals and ceramics
* Experience with one or more structural/FEA or thermal modeling tools (e.g., ANSYS, NASTRAN, Thermal Desktop, MINIVER, etc.).
* Experience generating material and test specifications for use by vendors and test personnel
* Experience leading small groups of engineers, technologists and operators in the execution of a product development or test campaign
* Ability to travel <20% annually to domestic locations to support vendor engagement and offsite testing campaigns as necessary
* Physically able to handle items weighing up to 25 lbs. (unassisted)
* Desire to thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly changing work environment
* Availability to work extended hours as needed
It would be impressive if you also have these:
* A working knowledge of MATLAB, Simulink, Python, C/C++
* Experience utilizing multi-physics modeling environments (COMSOL, etc.)
* Experience designing solutions operating within cryogenic environments
* Practical experience with machining, fabrication, assembly, and rapid prototyping
* An understanding of nuclear reactor principles and the effects of radiation exposure on materials
* Experience developing or operating high-power testbeds for simulation of extreme environments
* Experience designing and testing for aerospace environments
* Experience using GD&T and ASME Y14.5M-1994 drafting standards
* Experience with model and drawing release processes within a PLM environment (e.g., TeamCenter)
* M.S. in Aerospace/Mechanical/Industrial Engineering or equivalent
* A passion to reshape the multi-billion-dollar space transportation ecosystem
* Ability to work as a member of a cross-functional team
* Ability to add something unique and positive to our team
* Wake up every morning ready to make a difference
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, the successful applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR, 22 CFR §120.15) or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Dark Fission Space Systems is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Each individual has the right to work in a professional environment that promotes equal employment opportunity and prohibits discriminatory practices, including harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
Full-time
Industries
Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing
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