Principal Propulsion Engineer

Who We Are: 

We are a young, hypersonic transportation company focused on doing what people once thought was impossible. We are a tech haven for engineers with vision who want more than just a job. And, we have a place for you if you want to be part of creating flight vehicles that transform how people and nations connect. We are looking for highly motivated and passionate individuals who want to push the boundaries of high-speed air transportation and work on exciting engine technologies that will propel the future of air transportation.

The Role: Principal Propulsion Engineer

As a Principal Propulsion Engineer, you will be involved in the design, analysis, and development of propulsion hardware from piece parts to engine and/or Propellant & Pressure Management System (PPMS). You will be responsible for taking designs from concepts to flight maturity hardware. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter and self-motivated individual who is comfortable working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. 

What You Will Get To Do:

• Support design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing of propulsion piece parts and assemblies
• Generate CAD models of components and engine systems
• Fluid network modeling, analysis & design: design and analysis of engine fluid systems, identify COTS components for fluid systems, work with suppliers to source components.
• Generate P&IDs of engine systems
• Develop and execute test plans, analyze test results
• Systems engineering experience focusing on generating engine balances, engine sizing and requirements, technical understanding of various engine cycles, and trading cycle efficiencies of various engine cycles
• Use engine P&IDs to generate fully detailed CAD models of engine assemblies
• Design and analyze tanks and supporting tank structures and PPMS
• Work with vehicle engineering and test teams to satisfy engine systems design requirements and communicate engine systems test requirements
• Work with outside vendors and in-house procurement team to select and source components for engine and PPMS systems

What You Have:

• The ideal candidate will be a multi-disciplinary engineer with a diverse set of skills and experience in some or most of these fields of expertise: mechanical and fluid systems design, structural/thermal design & analysis, engine testing & hot fire data analysis, hands-on experience with assembling & testing propulsion systems, generating complex CAD models & designing for manufacturing (DFM), and excellent communication & people skills.
• 15+ years of aerospace vehicle and engine systems engineering/design experience
• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering
• 3+ years of CAD experience, particularly working with large assemblies
• Systems engineering and operational experience
• Experience working on multidisciplinary project teams
• Knowledge of standard aerospace materials used in designs of propulsion systems for high mechanical and thermal loads
• Knowledge of aerospace fluid systems component and fluid connections specifications
• Experience in some of the design & analysis tools such as NX / SolidWorks, ANSYS mechanical, CFX / StarCCM+, Matlab / Python, GFSSP, Microsoft Visio
• Strong communication skills to effectively work in a hybrid in-person/remote work environment

What Will Set You Apart:

• Master’s or PhD degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering
• Experience with Rotating Detonating Engines (rocket or airbreathing)
• Project management/leadership
• Strong background in systems engineering for engine or PPMS systems
• Engine and/or engine component testing
• Familiarity with standards such as SMC-S-016, NASA STD-5012, AIAA S-080A-2018
• Experience developing and standardizing processes for design, analysis, and testing
• Complete mastery of one of the following: a specific oxidizer or fuel, rocket injectors, high temperature materials, airbreathing flameholders, test RE for a pump fed liquid rocket engine and Mojave bingo cards

Benefits of working with Venus:

Venus Aerospace employee benefits include a 401(k) plan, stock options, and medical benefits, including dental and vision. We have a flex-Friday flexible schedule, unlimited PTO, and receive professional development opportunities.

Location:

This role is based on-site at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas.

About Venus Aerospace

By enabling one hour global travel, Venus Aerospace is transforming the world and our access to it. We’re building a spaceplane with a low carbon footprint that will enable one-hour global travel. We are a diverse, veteran team with extreme experience in successful new space, commercial, R&D, and government/military programs.

We are looking for incredible, motivated, enthusiastic people that want to build a world-changing culture and organization. You will be helping Venus grow and develop, so flexibility and a sense of adventure is quintessential. We are looking for all-around AWESOME people to help us grow.

We’ve done the professional grind, and we’ve got a better approach. We take “Home for Dinner” seriously – we want you to work for us and be “home for dinner”. Family is important and we don’t want you to miss out on what matters most. If that appeals to you, we’d love to connect!

ITAR Requirements

This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be able to meet ITAR requirements (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State). You can learn more about ITAR here.

Venus Aerospace Corp. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Venus Aerospace is governed on the basis of merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.