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Turbopump Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Turbomachinery Engineer

Kent, WA · On-site

$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 ...

Design turbopump components under the direction of a more experienced engineer: CAD models, drawings, tolerances, GD&T, and material and process callouts. * Run the analysis on your own parts, hand ...

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

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Turbopump Design Engineer information

See salary details

$40.5K

$88.2K

$158.5K

How much do turbopump design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 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, 88% Full Time, 8% 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.

Staff Turbomachinery Test Responsible Engineer

Long Beach, CA • On-site

Relativity Space
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing • 501 - 1,000 employees

$164K - $246K/yr

Full-time

PTO

Re-posted 24 days ago


Relativity Space rating

9.7

Company rating: 9.7 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

At Relativity Space, we're building rockets to serve today's needs and tomorrow's breakthroughs. Our Terran R vehicle will deliver customer payloads to orbit, meeting the growing demand for launch capacity. But that's just the start. Achieving commercial success with Terran R will unlock new opportunities to advance science, exploration, and innovation, pioneering progress that reaches beyond the known.

Joining Relativity means becoming part of something where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level. Here, you're not just executing tasks; you're solving problems that haven't been solved before, helping develop a rocket, a factory, and a business from the ground up. Whether you're in propulsion, manufacturing, software, avionics, or a corporate function, you'll collaborate across teams, shape decisions, and see your work come to life in record time. Relativity is a place where creativity and technical rigor go hand in hand, and your voice will help define the stories we're writing together. Now is a unique moment in time where it's early enough to leave your mark on the product, the process, and the culture, but far enough along that Terran R is tangible and picking up momentum. The most meaningful work of your career is waiting. Join us.

About the Team:

The propulsion team at Relativity is responsible for the successful development of the engines that will power the Terran R vehicle. We own their design from concept through to launch and reuse. Our team partners heavily with manufacturing, test, launch, and integration teams, striving to develop our engines in record time and to support Terran R's first launch in 2026. As part of this team, you will help build, test, and iterate on the full product lifecycle of our Aeon-R engine systems, seeing them mature and eventually bring Terran R into space.

About the Role

As a Turbomachinery Engineer, you will develop the assemblies for the fuel and oxidizer turbopumps of the Aeon-R engine family. You will collaborate closely with the propulsion development and manufacturing teams to incorporate improvements into future designs. In order to be successful in this role, you should be someone who thrives in ambiguity and is able to drive their own projects to completion. You must have the passion, tenacity and resolve to work through challenging issues unique to rocket turbopumps. We are looking for someone multifaceted, and capable of working at the interfaces of design, development, and analysis of turbomachinery. Ideally, you are someone who has come from a fast paced, aerospace environment, having completed difficult projects while collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary groups.

About You

  • Degree in engineering or related technical field and 8+ years of relevant industry experience
  • Ability to perform basic structural, thermal, and/or fluid analysis
  • Knowledge of turbomachinery design and analysis practices
  • Strong communication skills
  • Strong understanding of turbomachinery fundamentals 
  • Knowledge of turbopump assembly procedures, including rotor balancing, interference fits, clearance checks, structural proofing, and leak checks
  • Ability to diagnose and resolve complex turbomachinery operational issues

Nice to haves but not required:

  • Proficiency in Siemens NX and Teamcenter
  • Experience performing turbomachinery analyses (bladed CFD, structural, modal, rotordynamics)
  • Experience designing bladed turbopump components (inducers, impellers, turbines)
  • Experience in a startup or agile development environment
  • Experience working in a flight development program

At Relativity Space, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation practices. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors.
Compensation is only one part of our total rewards package. Relativity Space offers competitive salary and equity, a generous PTO and sick leave policy, parental leave, an annual learning and development stipend, and more! To see some of the benefits & perks we offer, please visit here.

Hiring Range:
$164,000—$246,000 USD

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact us at accommodations@relativityspace.com.

Please note: Relativity Space does not accept unsolicited resumes, candidate profiles, or referrals from recruitment agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited submission - via email, our website, social media, or directly to an employee - will be deemed the property of Relativity Space, and no fee will be owed absent a current, fully executed agreement with Talent Acquisition that specifically authorizes submissions for the applicable role.


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