Entry-Level Propulsion Design Engineer

Department: Propulsion

Location: San Francisco

Compensation: $115K – $145K

Employment Type: FullTime

ABOUT US:

Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company building a faster, more connected future. Our mission is to democratize high-speed flight by making supersonic travel flexible, accessible, and sustainable. We believe that rapid, on-demand, point-to-point global mobility will become the new standard for moving people and goods across the planet. To achieve this, we are integrating our advanced airframe and engine technologies—which include Duality™, our proprietary dual-use propulsion system—with a new flight operations model to make supersonic transport as efficient and economical as commercial air travel is today. In the near term, we are developing adaptable, high-speed systems to close aircraft performance gaps for the United States government.

WHO WE ARE:

We’re a team of passionate engineers dedicated to advancing aerospace. We’re generalists with specialist depth, united by a flat structure and a shared obsession with building things that work well. We move fast, stay pragmatic, and let engineering excellence speak louder than hierarchy.

WHO YOU ARE:

Astro Mechanica is seeking a Propulsion Engineer to join our growing team. The ideal candidate is someone who can take full ownership of hardware design from concept to production, and has a deep understanding of their impact on surrounding systems. Technical challenges are resolved from first principles. Your work at Astro Mechanica will have a direct impact on the configuration and performance of the Duality™ engine.

In this role, your mission will be to design, analyze, and validate critical propulsion systems from early prototype through flight qualification, vehicle integration, and aircraft flight. You embody the test-like-you-fly philosophy.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Ideate on design trade studies while considering system-level impacts

• Complete detailed design and support with structural, thermal, fluid analyses

• Present design reviews and solicit feedback from stakeholders

• Assemble prototypes firsthand, design complementary tooling, establish work instructions

• Conduct hardware test and analyze data to verify requirements and performance metrics

• Diagnose hardware problems efficiently and determine corrective actions

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

• Club, project, or intern-level hands-on experience with fluidic and mechanical systems, propulsion systems

• Proficient in solid, surface, and sheet metal CAD modeling (Siemens NX)

• Exposure to manufacturing processes, precision measurement and GD&T

• Understanding of heat transfer, thermodynamics, and turbomachinery

• Exposure to data acquisition, instrumentation, and power electronics

• Desire for continuous improvement

• Flexibility to work in fast-paced environment

• Attentive to detail and maintain a high level of quality in all work

PERKS AND BENEFITS:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

• 401(k) program and transparent stock option plan

• Self-managed and flexible time-off policy, including PTO, paid holidays, and sick time

• Flexible work environment

• Company-funded perks, including weekly team lunches and Astro Mechanica swag

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

At Astro Mechanica, we highly value in-office work to foster collaboration and strengthen our company culture. We consider working in the office five days a week an essential part of the employee's role.

Astro Mechanica is an equal opportunity employer. We proudly recruit and hire a diverse workforce and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.