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Propulsion Engineer - Build Advanced Propulsion Systems for Next-Generation Defense Platforms

El Segundo, California | On-site

Opportunity Summary

Join a well-funded, early-stage defense technology company developing advanced aerospace systems designed to solve some of today's most demanding national security challenges. As a Propulsion Engineer, you will lead the development of high-performance propulsion hardware that enables rapid response, extreme acceleration, and reliable operation in challenging environments. This is a highly hands-on engineering role with ownership across the complete development lifecycle. You will design, analyze, prototype, test, and refine propulsion systems while working closely with founders and a multidisciplinary engineering team. The role spans propulsion architecture, high-pressure hardware, combustion analysis, testing, and system integration, giving you direct influence over both the product and the company's technical direction.

About Us

We are a venture-backed aerospace and defense startup building advanced hardware for next-generation defense applications. Our team is focused on developing high-performance systems that combine innovative engineering with rapid product development. Engineers are empowered with broad ownership, work closely across disciplines, and play a direct role in taking complex hardware from concept through operational deployment.

Job Duties

• Lead the design, development, and testing of advanced propulsion systems for high-performance aerospace applications.
• Design propulsion architectures including solid rocket motors, gas generators, cold gas systems, and other compact impulse devices.
• Perform combustion, internal ballistics, mass flow, chamber pressure, and thermal analyses to optimize system performance.
• Develop propellant grain geometries and thrust profiles to meet mission-specific performance requirements.
• Evaluate propulsion trade studies across solid, liquid, hybrid, and alternative architectures.
• Design high-pressure hardware including motor cases, pressure vessels, regulators, valves, burst disks, and related mechanical components.
• Analyze structural performance under high-pressure and high-acceleration loading conditions.
• Develop propulsion test articles, fixtures, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems.
• Plan and execute static fire tests, pressure testing, thermal testing, and system qualification campaigns.
• Analyze test data and rapidly iterate designs through hardware development cycles.
• Model propulsion performance using analytical and numerical simulation tools including CFD, FEA, combustion, and thermal analysis.
• Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, and controls engineers to integrate propulsion hardware into complete systems.
• Support ignition system development, actuator integration, safety systems, and propulsion sequencing.
• Maintain safe operating procedures when working with energetic materials and high-pressure systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Demonstrated experience designing propulsion, combustion, or high-pressure fluid systems.
• Hands-on experience developing propulsion hardware from concept through testing.
• Experience with solid rocket motors, propulsion test stands, ignition systems, pressure vessels, or related aerospace hardware.
• Strong understanding of combustion, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, structural mechanics, and internal flow behavior.
• Experience designing propulsion systems for aerospace, missile, launch vehicle, or other high-performance platforms.
• Ability to work hands-on through design, fabrication, testing, troubleshooting, and iteration.
• U.S. Person or Lawful Permanent Resident status required.

Preferred Experience

• Experience designing solid propellant grain geometries and internal ballistics.
• Familiarity with solid propellant formulations, insulation materials, and nozzle thermal protection.
• Experience working with propulsion analysis tools such as NASA CEA, CFD, FEA, MATLAB, Python, ANSYS, OpenFOAM, COMSOL, or similar software.
• Knowledge of propulsion instrumentation including pressure transducers, thermocouples, strain gauges, high-speed cameras, and data acquisition systems.
• Experience with MIL-STD environmental or qualification testing.
• Hands-on experience with machining, pressure plumbing, fixture design, or propulsion hardware assembly.
• Familiarity with energetic materials, ignition systems, or pyrotechnic hardware.

Why Join Us

• Build critical propulsion hardware with ownership from initial concept through full-scale testing.
• Work alongside experienced founders and a small, highly technical engineering team.
• Help shape the design of both the product and the engineering organization during a pivotal stage of company growth.
• Gain meaningful equity ownership and significant opportunities for technical and leadership advancement.
• See your work rapidly transition from design into real hardware through fast development and test cycles.

Compensation Details

$$130,000 - $180,000

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