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:**
• Master’s 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)
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