Principal Propulsion Engineer (Liquid Rocket Engine Assembly RE)

Venus Aerospace
Worldwide Remote
Remote

Who this role is best for

A natural match if you have systems engineering and propulsion design experience.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with systems engineering and propulsion design experience in aerospace and mechanical fields
    — “systems engineering experience focusing on generating engine balances, engine sizing and requirements”
  • Engineers with a track record in managing complex engine assembly lifecycles
    — “Own the entire lifecycle of an engine assembly: combustor, thrust take-out structure, gimbal system, possibly pump and possibly hot gas turbine”
  • Professionals skilled in CAD modeling and design for manufacturing with aerospace fluid systems knowledge
    — “Experience working on multidisciplinary project teams”

Things to consider

  • Must comply with ITAR regulations, which restricts eligibility to U.S. citizens or specific residents
    — “This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls”
  • The role requires a high level of autonomy and initiative in a dynamic environment
    — “self-starter and self-motivated individual who is comfortable working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment”

How to stand out

  • Highlight your experience with engine testing and handling failures during hotfire testing
    — “Responsible engineer experience in hotfire testing of liquid rocket engine assemblies, especially those that have gone wrong.”
  • Demonstrate your ability to break down complex projects using Agile methods
    — “Use agile methodology to break down complex projects into daily and weekly actionable tasks”
  • Showcase your ability to lead and mentor younger engineers in propulsion systems
    — “Mentoring younger team members to increase their experience of the team in headquarters”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Support design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing of propulsion piece parts and assemblies
  • Generate CAD models of components and engine systems
  • Develop and execute test plans
  • Mentor younger team members
Typical background
Aerospace vehicle and engine systems engineering/designMechanical and fluid systems designsStructural/thermal design and analysis

Skills & requirements

Required

Rocket Engine DesignCAD ModelingFluid Network ModelingSystems EngineeringEngine TestingHot-fire Data AnalysisAgile Methodology

Preferred

Rotating Detonation Rocket EnginePropulsion SystemsAerospace MaterialsAerospace Fluid SystemsDesign For ManufacturingEngine P&idsComplex CAD ModelsHands-on Experience With Assembling Propulsion Systems

Stack & domain

Aerospace Vehicle And Engine Systems EngineeringDesign And AnalysisManufacturingTestingCAD ModelsFluid Network ModelingAnalysis And DesignEngine Fluid SystemsCOTS ComponentsSuppliersTest PlansTest ResultsEngine BalancesEngine SizingRequirementsEngine CyclesCycle EfficienciesEngine P&idsAgile MethodologyComplex ProjectsDaily And Weekly Actionable TasksEngine Assembly LifecycleCombustorThrust Take-out StructureGimbal SystemPumpHot Gas TurbineFlow Control DevicesMentorshipCAD ExperienceNX / SolidworksAnsys MechanicalCFX / Starccm+Matlab / PythonGfsspMicrosoft VisioSelf-starterSelf-motivatedFast-pacedDynamic EnvironmentCommunicationInterpersonal SkillsTeamworkLeadershipProblem-solvingInnovationPropulsionRocket EnginesAerospaceHigh-speed FlightDefenseSpace

About the role

Original posting from Venus Aerospace via Lever

Who We Are:

Venus Aerospace is revolutionizing rocket engine propulsion. With the first generational leap in rocket engine technology since Apollo, our proprietary Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine delivers historic efficiency and performance across aerospace applications. We are building the next generation of propulsion platforms that enable breakthrough capabilities in space, defense, and commercial high-speed flight. Our team thrives on solving the toughest engineering challenges and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in aerospace. At Venus, we’re looking for bold engineers and innovators who want to make history and redefine the future of propulsion.

The Role: Principal Propulsion Engineer 

As a Principal Propulsion Engineer, you will be involved in the design, analysis, and development of propulsion hardware from piece parts to engine assemblies. You will be responsible for taking designs from concepts to flight maturity hardware. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter and self-motivated individual who is comfortable working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.  

What You'll Get To Do:

  • Support design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing of propulsion piece parts and assemblies 
  • Generate CAD models of components and engine systems 
  • Fluid network modeling, analysis and design: design and analysis engine fluid systems, identify COTS components for fluid systems, work with suppliers to source components. 
  • Generate P&ID’s of engine systems 
  • Develop and execute test plans; analyze test results 
  • Systems engineering experience focusing on generating engine balances, engine sizing and requirements, technical understanding of various engine cycles, and trading cycle efficiencies of various engine cycles 
  • Use engine P&IDs to generate fully detailed CAD models of engine assemblies 
  • Use agile methodology to break down complex projects into daily and weekly actionable tasks 
  • Own the entire lifecycle of an engine assembly: combustor, thrust take-out structure, gimbal system, possibly pump and possibly hot gas turbine, flow control devices, etc.
  • Mentoring younger team members to increase their experience of the team in headquarters

What You Have:

  • 10+ years of aerospace vehicle and engine systems engineering/design experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering
  • Systems engineering and operational experience
  • Experience working on multidisciplinary project teams
  • Knowledge of standard aerospace materials used in designs of propulsion systems for high mechanical and thermal loads
  • Knowledge of aerospace fluid systems component and fluid connections specifications
  • The ideal candidate will be a multi-disciplinary engineer with a diverse set of skills and experience in some or most of these fields of expertise: mechanical and fluid systems designs, structural/thermal design and analysis, engine testing and hot-fire data analysis, hands-on experience with assembling and testing propulsion systems, generating complex CAD models and designing for manufacturing (DFM), including excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • 5+ years of CAD experience, particularly working with large assemblies
  • Experience in some of the design and analysis tools such as NX / SolidWorks, ANSYS mechanical, CFX / StarCCM+, Matlab / Python, GFSSP, Microsoft Visio
  • Strong communication skills to effectively work in a hybrid in-person/remote work environment

What Will Set You Apart:

  • Master’s, PhD degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering 
  • Experience with RDREs or RDEs 
  • Project management/leadership 
  • Familiarity with Agile methods 
  • Strong background in systems engineering for engine or PPMS systems 
  • Engine and/or engine component testing 
  • Familiarity with standards such as SMC-S-016, NASA STD-5012, AIAA S-080A-2018 
  • Experience developing and standardizing processes for design, analysis, and testing 
  • Responsible engineer experience in hotfire testing of liquid rocket engine assemblies, especially those that have gone wrong.

ITAR Requirements

This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be able to meet ITAR requirements (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State). You can learn more about ITAR here.

Venus Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation, please email careerassistance@venusaero.com or call (281) 203-0027.This email and phone number were created exclusively to assist job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Messages or any other purposes, such as following up on an application, third party staffing agencies, website technical issues, or any other issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response. Messages will be returned within five business days.

For additional information about our Equal Opportunity Employment Policy, please visit our EEOP page.

Source: Venus Aerospace careers (Lever)

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