Propulsion Cycle Analysis Engineer

Department: Propulsion

Location: San Francisco

Compensation: $150K – $200K

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 looking for a Propulsion Cycle Analysis Engineer to join our growing team. The ideal candidate is someone who has a deep-seated understanding of complex system dynamics, and can take full ownership of modeling the thermodynamic cycle of a novel engine architecture. Your work at Astro Mechanica will have a direct impact on the configuration and performance of the turboelectric adaptive jet engine.

In this role, your mission will be to simulate our innovative jet engine operational envelope, predicted behavior, and incorporate anchoring to real-world data. You will collaborate between propulsion, aircraft, and test teams to participate in conceptual trade studies and produce the highest fidelity predictions of engine performance. You are attentive to detail and enjoy solving nuanced, interconnected problems.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Utilize propulsion 1D thermodynamic cycle models (NPSS, PyCycle, GasTurb, Amesim) to predict engine performance from analytical maps and operating conditions

• Improve and maintain the accuracy of simulation models through anchoring to historical and internally generated test data

• Develop tool automation to improve functionality and user interface

• Collaborate with engineering departments on engine parameter sensitivity analysis and implications to aircraft performance

• Leverage first principles to extrapolate system-level performance models into next-gen hardware design cycles

• Analyze test data for characterization hardware behavior and performance

• Define instrumentation placement with understanding of measurement limitations

• Diagnose hardware/software problems efficiently and perform corrective actions

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

• 5+ years hands-on experience with fluidic and propulsion systems, test operations

• Foundational knowledge of fluid dynamics, thermodynamics and compressible flow

• Understanding of fluid systems and instrumentation hardware (pressure, temperature, load cells, relays, solenoids, regulators, pneumatics)

• Familiarity with test instrumentation, data reduction, and anchoring analysis with experimental results

• Experience with data acquisition and control systems, PLC hardware, communication protocol, data structures, and software interfaces

• Takes initiative for continuous improvement (not just completing assigned tasks)

• Flexibility to work in fast-paced and high-growth environment

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

PERKS & 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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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.