Senior Propulsion Engineer I

Team: Engineering

Location: El Segundo, CA

Commitment: Full-time

Workplace Type: onsite

We are seeking a Senior Propulsion Engineer I to lead the design, development, analysis, and testing of critical liquid rocket engine hardware and propulsion subsystems. This role offers the opportunity to take ownership of complex flight hardware from concept development through qualification and flight readiness.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and develop a variety of liquid rocket engine parts, including loading frames, gimbals, bellows units, and pipelines. Perform calculations and analyses with team support.
• Own requirements definition, architecture trades, and system-level integration for assigned subsystems.
• Generate technical documentation, including reports, specifications, and contributions to PDRs and CDRs.
• Perform CFD and FEA analyses to evaluate performance parameters such as pressure drops and hydraulic characteristics and mechanical integrity under operating conditions.
• Develop and execute test programs, analyze experimental data, and apply findings to optimize designs.
• Collaborate across mechanical, aerospace, and controls engineering teams to deliver flight-ready hardware.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 4+ years of experience with mechanical design, development, fabrication, assembly, or test.
• Hands-on proficiency in CAD tools (Siemens NX, SolidWorks).
• Demonstrated expertise in structural or mechanical design for flight hardware.
• Experience in early-stage vehicle architecture and design trades.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail.
• Willing to make mistakes, take responsibilities, work independently and be transparent about your work.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Prior experience designing a variety of liquid rocket engine parts, including loading frames, gimbals, bellows units, and pipelines.
• Practical experience in test bench setup and performance diagnostics.
• Hands-on engineering (Full-stack: computer to wrench to broom).
• Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
• Familiarity with aerospace safety and reliability practices.
• Experience in a start-up or rapid development environment.
• Experience with tools such as ANSYS and MATLAB