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Turbopump Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Aetherflux

Powerpack Engineer Level II

Kent, WA · On-site

We are tackling one of humanity's most complex engineering challenges with a world-class team ... Own the mechanical design of turbopump components and subassemblies from concept through hot fire ...

SpaceX

Turbomachinery Engineer (Raptor)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$115K - $140K/yr

TURBOMACHINERY ENGINEER (RAPTOR) SpaceX is seeking a highly motivated Turbomachinery Engineer to ... Support ongoing design improvements to turbopump assemblies and/or sub systems including ...

SpaceX

Turbomachinery Engineer (Raptor)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$115K - $140K/yr

TURBOMACHINERY ENGINEER (RAPTOR) SpaceX is seeking a highly motivated Turbomachinery Engineer to ... Support ongoing design improvements to turbopump assemblies and/or sub systems including ...

SpaceX

Turbomachinery Engineer (Raptor)

Hawthorne, CA

$115K - $140K/yr

TURBOMACHINERY ENGINEER (RAPTOR) SpaceX is seeking a highly motivated Turbomachinery Engineer to ... Support ongoing design improvements to turbopump assemblies and/or sub systems including ...

Ursa Major

Staff Turbomachinery Engineer

Berthoud, CO · On-site

$132K - $165K/yr

As a staff turbopump engineer you will be a key member of a small and talented team working toward ... You will support conceptual design and development of new Turbomachinery as the subject matter ...

CesiumAstro

Turbomachinery Engineer II

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$108K - $129K/yr

At CesiumAstro , we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for ... Design and develop a variety of turbopump parts, including cryogenics pumps, turbines and seals.

Stoke Space

Turbomachinery Engineer

Kent, WA

$129K - $193K/yr

As a Turbomachinery Engineer at Stoke, you will have extreme ownership over all aspects of ... Own design improvement plans for turbopump components including manufacturing improvements to ...

CesiumAstro

Turbomachinery Engineer II

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$108K - $129K/yr

At CesiumAstro , we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for ... Design and develop a variety of turbopump parts, including cryogenics pumps, turbines and seals.

CesiumAstro

Turbomachinery Engineer II

El Segundo, CA

$108K - $129K/yr

At CesiumAstro , we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for ... Design and develop a variety of turbopump parts, including cryogenics pumps, turbines and seals.

Ursa Major

Senior Turbomachinery Engineer

Berthoud, CO · On-site

$112K - $140K/yr

As a senior turbopump engineer you will be a key member of a small and talented team working toward ... You will support conceptual design and development of new Turbomachinery as the subject matter ...

Ursa Major

Staff Turbomachinery Engineer

Berthoud, CO · On-site

$132K - $165K/yr

We design and deliver propulsion and defense systems that solve the most urgent and critical ... As a staff turbopump engineer you will be a key member of a small and talented team working toward ...

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Turbopump Design Engineer information

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$40.5K

$88.2K

$158.5K

How much do turbopump design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for turbopump design engineer in the United States is $88,150.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,000.00 and $98,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a turbopump design engineer do?

A Turbopump Design Engineer specializes in designing, developing, and testing turbopumps, which are critical components in rocket and jet engines. These engineers work on optimizing the performance, efficiency, and reliability of turbopumps by using advanced engineering principles, computer-aided design (CAD), and simulations. Their responsibilities often include collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, analyzing test data, and refining designs to meet stringent aerospace standards. Turbopump Design Engineers play a vital role in ensuring the successful operation of propulsion systems for space and aviation applications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a turbopump design engineer?

To thrive as a Turbopump Design Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical or aerospace engineering, with expertise in fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and turbomachinery principles, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency with CAD software, finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools, and familiarity with industry standards are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills help engineers excel in this role. These skills are vital to ensure safe, efficient, and innovative turbopump designs that meet stringent aerospace performance and reliability requirements.

What are some typical challenges faced by turbopump design engineers during the development process?

Turbopump Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as balancing high rotational speeds with reliability, optimizing complex fluid dynamics, and selecting materials that can withstand extreme temperatures and pressures. Additionally, coordinating with multidisciplinary teams—including structural analysts, manufacturing engineers, and test engineers—requires strong communication and project management skills. Overcoming these obstacles is essential for creating turbopumps that are both efficient and robust for demanding aerospace applications.

What is the difference between Turbopump Design Engineer vs Pump Systems Engineer?

AspectTurbopump Design EngineerPump Systems Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, relevant certificationsBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering, fluid dynamics background
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, aerospace or rocket propulsion facilitiesManufacturing plants, industrial facilities, or engineering offices
Industry UsageSpacecraft, rocket propulsion, aerospace industriesOil & gas, industrial machinery, fluid handling industries

The Turbopump Design Engineer specializes in designing high-performance turbopumps used in aerospace and rocket propulsion, focusing on fluid dynamics and mechanical integrity. In contrast, the Pump Systems Engineer works on a broader range of pump systems across various industries, emphasizing system integration and operational efficiency. Both roles require strong engineering credentials but differ in industry focus and application.

What are popular job titles related to Turbopump Design Engineer jobs?

For Turbopump Design Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Turbopump Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,150 per year, or $42.4 per hour.

Powerpack Engineer Level II

Kent, WA • On-site

Aetherflux
See more jobs at Aetherfluxexternal

Full-time

Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

About Cowboy Space Corp:
Mission
Cowboy Space Corporation is solving the global energy crisis by building the infrastructure for abundant, resilient space-based solar energy. We are tackling one of humanity's most complex engineering challenges with a world-class team dedicated to delivering a revolutionary power platform. Cowboy Space Corporation is transforming how civilization powers, computes and connects - from orbit to Earth.
Background
Cowboy Space Corporation is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our modular, scalable satellites collect sunlight in Low Earth Orbit to enable multiple integrated applications: transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), powering on-orbit high-performance computing clusters (GPU/TPU), and providing secure, high bandwidth optical data transport.
Current energy and data systems rely on complex logistics and outdated infrastructure. Cowboy Space Corporation overcomes these challenges by enabling direct, on-demand, secure, and scalable energy distribution and data processing from space. This will revolutionize how we operate in orbit and on Earth, supporting the rapidly expanding space industrial base, ISAM (In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing) operations, remote regions, and military bases.
Baiju Bhatt founded Cowboy Space Corporation in 2024. Inspired by his father's work with NASA Langley Research Center, Baiju earned his B.S. in Physics and M.S. in Mathematics at Stanford before co-founding Robinhood, now a public company that has helped over 20 million Americans access the financial system. Cowboy Space Corporation has raised ~$365 million from Index Ventures, Interlagos, Construct Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, NEA, and others.
This is an ambitious mission that demands extraordinary talent. Cowboy Space Corporation 's team has worked at places like SpaceX, Blue Origin, Stoke Space, Astranis and NASA, and is based in San Carlos, CA. If you're ready to solve complex technical challenges and help build the most important energy company in the world, we want to hear from you.
About the Role:
The turbopump is the heart of the engine and sets its performance ceiling. In this role you are the responsible engineer for a set of turbopump components: their design definition, their interfaces, how they get built, and how they perform on the stand. You will trade designs, and you will own the argument that your hardware meets its requirements, including which of those requirements get closed by analysis and which have to be proven in a test cell. Your parts go from ore to orbit with your name on them.
Responsibilities:
  • Bring a culture of creativity to every design challenge. Own each solution or improvement with true accountability, seeing it through to completion.
  • Own the mechanical design of turbopump components and subassemblies from concept through hot fire testing and flight: CAD models, design definitions, tolerances, GD&T, material and process specifications, analysis cycles, and the requirements each component has to meet.
  • Integrate constraints from hydro, aero, structures, secondary flow, and thermals into a single coherent design.
  • Control the configuration and record pedigree for your components across build, test, and refurbishment cycles.
  • Drive hardware through manufacturing and build: fabrication, first article review, and nonconformance disposition.
  • Provide real-time support and data reduction for component and engine tests and provide support to anomaly investigations.

Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related engineering field.
  • Proficiency in 3D CAD and in producing released, manufacturable design definitions with sound geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), and tolerance stack-ups.
  • Working knowledge of turbomachinery fundamentals.
  • Hands-on experience taking a design through build and test.
  • Familiarity with material and manufacturing process selection for high-stress, high-cycle applications.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • 2+ years of turbomachinery or turbopump design experience.
  • Master's degree or Ph.D. in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related engineering field.
  • Experience with liquid rocket engine turbopumps or reusable propulsion systems, or experience with adjacent rotating machinery. Gas turbines, industrial pumps, compressors, and turbochargers all build fundamentals that carry over to turbopump design.
  • Experience with detailed design and analysis of fluid components (impellers, diffusers, volutes, turbines, and secondary flow), dynamic seals, and structures.
  • Experience leading a root cause investigation on hardware you owned and carrying the corrective action through to closure.
  • Familiarity with cryogenic hardware design and cryogenic material behavior.
  • Experience with multiple methods of manufacture (additive, forgings, castings).
  • Experience at a fast-moving, hardware-focused startup or early-stage program.
  • Track record of picking up unfamiliar problems quickly and closing them out with minimal direction.

Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $125,000 - $155,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.
  • Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
  • Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) retirement savings plan
  • Paid time off
  • 10 paid holidays per calendar year
  • Paid parental leave
  • Relocation assistance if applicable
  • Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks

ITAR Requirements
  • Export Control Requirement: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a 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. Learn more about ITAR here.

Disclaimer
This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at Cowboy Space Corp.'s discretion.
Cowboy Space Corp. is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. Cowboy Space Corp. is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.

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