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Salary: USD 130,000 - 160,000 / annual
Voyager Technologies is seeking a Senior Propulsion Engineer to join its Mojave, CA office and contribute to the development of advanced propulsion systems for sub-orbital vertical takeoff and vertical landing (VTVL) vehicles. This is a hands-on engineering role where you will work across the full lifecycle of rocket propulsion systems—from initial component and system sizing through design, analysis, fabrication, and test. You will collaborate with a joint propulsion team spanning Mojave and Pittsburgh offices, reporting to the Propulsion Lead.
Key responsibilities include:
- Design and analyze rocket propulsion systems using cryogenic propellants, including all major subsystems (combustion devices, valves, propellant feed lines, turbomachinery, tanks, pressurization systems)
- Size and design combustion device elements such as injectors, combustion chambers, nozzles, gas generators, and cooling channels
- Develop fluid-thermal models to predict component and system behavior
- Conduct trade studies to guide design and operational decisions
- Lead creation of hardware drawings and component specifications for manufacturing and vendor procurement
- Develop and execute component and system test plans, post-process results
- Participate in technical readiness and safety reviews
- Perform risk assessment and mitigation planning
- Write and present technical reports
This role offers the opportunity to work on mission-critical space and defense technologies with real-world impact. You will be part of a team of builders and innovators tackling complex propulsion challenges at the frontier of aerospace technology.
Relocation assistance is provided for qualified candidates.
REQUIREMENTS:
Required:
- B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
- 6+ years of relevant experience in rocket propulsion system development
- Experience with cryogenic propellants (liquid methane and liquid oxygen preferred)
- Experience designing and analyzing high-pressure fluid and/or pneumatic systems
- Proven capability to develop conceptual designs, perform trade studies, and down-select to a design baseline
Desired:
- M.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
- Experience with a variety of cryogenic propulsion systems and various engine cycles
- Computational Fluid Dynamics experience (ANSYS Fluent or CFX preferred)
- Experience leveraging additive manufacturing in engine design
- Proficiency in fluid/thermal software for rocket engine development (GFSSP, RTE, RPA) and system-level modeling (Amesim or Thermal Desktop)
- CAD proficiency (SolidWorks preferred) and lifecycle management tools
- Ability to take ownership and prioritize tasks in fast-paced, changing environment
- Experience with advanced rocket engine designs, especially RDREs
- Analytical/scientific programming (Python, C/C++, MATLAB, Fortran)
- Hands-on fabrication skills and willingness to work with pathfinder hardware
- Rocket fuel handling equipment and operations knowledge, including safety requirements
- Experience with rocket turbopumps
- Pressure vessel design, fabrication, requirements, and/or qualification testing experience
- Experience with hypergolic liquid bipropellant engine systems, test facility design, assembly, and operation
