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Venus Aerospace is seeking a Principal Propulsion Engineer to lead the design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing of liquid rocket engine assemblies and propulsion systems. This is a senior technical role with significant scope and mentorship responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing of propulsion piece parts and assemblies
- Generate CAD models of components and engine systems
- Conduct fluid network modeling, analysis, and design; identify and source COTS components for fluid systems
- Generate P&IDs of engine systems
- Develop and execute test plans; analyze test results
- Apply systems engineering expertise to engine balancing, sizing, requirements definition, and cycle efficiency trading
- Own the entire lifecycle of engine assemblies including combustor, thrust take-out structure, gimbal system, pump, hot gas turbine, and flow control devices
- Mentor younger team members to build team capability
- Use agile methodology to break down complex projects into actionable tasks
The role requires deep expertise in aerospace propulsion systems, with hands-on experience in design, analysis, testing, and manufacturing. You will work on multidisciplinary teams and be responsible for translating P&IDs into fully detailed CAD models of complex engine assemblies.
Requirements:
- 10+ years of aerospace vehicle and engine systems engineering/design experience
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering
- Systems engineering and operational experience
- Experience working on multidisciplinary project teams
- Knowledge of standard aerospace materials for high mechanical and thermal load propulsion systems
- Knowledge of aerospace fluid systems components and specifications
- 5+ years of CAD experience, particularly with large assemblies
- Experience with design and analysis tools such as NX, SolidWorks, ANSYS Mechanical, CFX, StarCCM+, Matlab, Python, GFSSP, or Microsoft Visio
- Strong communication skills for hybrid work environment
- Multi-disciplinary engineering background ideally spanning mechanical design, fluid systems, structural/thermal analysis, engine testing, hands-on propulsion assembly/testing, complex CAD modeling, and design for manufacturing
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's or PhD in aerospace or mechanical engineering
- Experience with RDREs or RDEs
- Project management/leadership experience
- Familiarity with Agile methods
- Strong background in systems engineering for engine or PPMS systems
- Engine and/or engine component testing experience
- Familiarity with aerospace standards (SMC-S-016, NASA STD-5012, AIAA S-080A-2018)
- Experience developing and standardizing design, analysis, and testing processes
- Responsible engineer experience in hotfire testing of liquid rocket engine assemblies
Note: This position requires ITAR compliance. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
