Materials Research Engineer - Propulsion Materials & Surface Engineering

About Manastu Space

Manastu Space is a Space Safety and Logistics company focused on making space safe, sustainable, and accessible. We develop technologies to address critical challenges such as space debris mitigation and green propulsion, enabling safer satellite operations, and long-term sustainability of the space ecosystem.

Our work sits at the intersection of advanced engineering, applied research, and mission-critical systems, requiring deep technical capability and long-term thinking.

Website: https://www.manastuspace.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/manastu-space/

Email: careers@manastuspace.com

Role Objective

Lead the development, qualification, and failure analysis of metallic and non-metallic materials, coatings, and surface treatment processes for propulsion system components operating in hydrogen peroxide-based environments.

The role involves materials selection, surface engineering, compatibility evaluation, real time and accelerated aging studies, and technical investigations to enhance component reliability, chemical stability, and system safety in aerospace propulsion applications.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Materials Research Engineer to join our growing aerospace organization facility in Navi Mumbai, with strong expertise in metallic materials, surface engineering, corrosion science, and material compatibility in reactive environments.

This role focuses on understanding and controlling the material-level behavior of propulsion system components under real engineering and chemical exposure conditions.

You will work at the intersection of materials science, chemistry, and propulsion systems, contributing to the development of reliable, compatible, and flight-ready material systems for peroxide-based propulsion applications.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

1) Research & Development

Plan and execute R&D programs focused on metallic materials, alloys, coatings, and surface conditions for H2O2 based propulsion system applications.

Evaluate and recommend material systems and surface treatment strategies based on service environment, manufacturability, and compatibility performance.

Investigate material degradation mechanisms including corrosion, catalytic decomposition, galvanic interaction, passive film instability, surface contamination, and chemical incompatibility under oxidizing media

Plan and execute real-time aging and compatibility studies of propellant-exposed materials, components, and assemblies, and generate technical insights to support material down-selection and design decisions.

2) Surface Treatment & Coating Process Development

Develop, standardize, and optimize surface treatment and coating processes for laboratory specimens, qualification samples, and propulsion system components

Establish Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for surface treatment procedures such as cleaning, pickling, passivation, conditioning, handling, storage and transportation of aerospace components

Ensure repeatability, process control, traceability, and contamination control across all treatment activities.

3) Materials Characterization & Qualification

Utilize advanced characterization techniques such as SEM-EDS, XPS, TEM, XRD, Potentiodynamic Polarization, other relevant surface and corrosion evaluation methods to develop material structure correlation with compatibility.

Correlate surface condition, microstructure, chemistry, and electrochemical behavior with material compatibility and performance.

Support qualification of new materials, coatings, and treatment processes for aerospace propulsion applications.

4) Failure Analysis & Root Cause Investigation

Conduct failure analysis of propulsion system components and material systems associated with ground testing, compatibility testing, aging studies, storage through technical examination, process review and test data correlation

Recommend corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to improve long-term compatibility performance

5) Technical Documentation

Prepare, review, and maintain technical documentation including process specifications, SOPs, experiment and qualification reports, technical notes and presentations

Ensure traceability, documentation integrity, and audit readiness for all R&D and qualification activities.

Support technical reviews and cross-functional discussions with design, manufacturing, quality, test, and systems teams.

Experience and Background:

Masters Degree in Metallurgical Sciences or Engineering, Materials Science / Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related disciplines from

reputed institutes. Candidates with good theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience (2-3 years) will be preferred

Strong fundamental understanding of metallic materials, corrosion science, surface treatment processes such as pickling, passivation, and protective coatings

Familiarity with materials compatibility in reactive and energetic fluid handling systems is preferred

Strong analytical thinking and structured problem-solving and ability to interpret complex experimental data

Ability to independently plan and execute experimental and qualification studies

Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary R&D, testing, and engineering environment

Ideal Candidate Profile

Materials-focused researcher with expertise in corrosion, surface science, and compatibility in oxidizing environments

Ability to translate material-level understanding into practical engineering solutions for propulsion systems

Ability to develop material selection strategies, surface treatment processes, and compatibility guidelines, along with experience in failure analysis and resolving complex material degradation challenges

Clear communication and collaborates across teams in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment

What we offer

Competitive compensation

Comprehensive health insurance

High ownership and visibility, with direct access to leadership

Support for learning, conferences, and research exposure

Subsidized lunch plan

If you are motivated by building enduring technical institutions and solving complex hiring challenges at scale, we would like to hear from you (careers@manastuspace.com)