Senior Propulsion Development Engineer

Department: Propulsion

Location: San Francisco

Compensation: $150K – $225K

Employment Type: FullTime

ABOUT US:

Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company developing a scalable technology platform to power critical infrastructure, mission operations, and the future of flight. We apply aerospace engineering and quality standards across our products, delivering high performance, reliability, and efficiency for the most demanding operating environments. Astro Mechanica is backed by leading venture and strategic investors, including Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Giant Step Capital, United Airlines Ventures, and Voyager Ventures.

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 Senior Propulsion Development 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 hardware testing from concept to production. 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 shepherd our innovative jet engine and subsystems hardware from early prototype through flight qualification, vehicle integration, and aircraft flight. You will have the firsthand responsibility that every new design is rigorously tested to ensure quality and performance metrics are met prior to aircraft integration before leaving the ground. You embody the test-like-you-fly philosophy.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Create test plans, objectives, methodologies, and establish operational ranges

• Define instrumentation placement with understanding of measurement limitations

• Analyze data for characterization hardware behavior and performance

• Diagnose hardware/software problems efficiently and perform corrective actions

• Hold data reviews communicating test results while highlighting anomalies

• Maintain data processing scripts, develop automation to increase test throughput and reliability

• Analyze test data and integrate findings into system-level performance models and next-gen hardware design cycles

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

• Continually improve facility capabilities to increase test throughput and reliability

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

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

• Experience with hazardous environments (flammables, high voltage, pressurized systems) and safety mitigations

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

• Knowledge of rotating machinery operation and instrumentation (natural frequencies, vibration and high-speed data acquisition)

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

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

• Skilled in engine cycle modeling tools (GasTurb, NPSS) and scripting tools (Python, Matlab) for analysis automation and data processing

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

• Flexibility to work in fast-paced 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:

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.