Senior R&D Engineer

About Revolution Space

At Revolution Space we're building advanced space systems for the 21st century. Every employee at Revolution Space works on projects that are critical to our company’s future by ensuring our products work on orbit every time. 

Position Summary:

Revolution Space is looking for a dynamic and growth-oriented Senior R&D Engineer to lead the testing and integration of propulsion systems for advanced propulsion concepts. Responsibilities include test design, structural/thermal analysis, manufacturing collaboration, and performance data analysis. In this role, you will work closely with cross-functional teams, primarily scientists and test engineers, to ensure safe, and efficient validation of propulsion concepts that meet performance requirements for challenging space missions within a laboratory environment.

The position is full-time. Onsite required within greater Boston area.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with scientists, propulsion engineers, and multi-disciplinary technical team to translate experimental objectives into test setup designs, defining requirements, interfaces, constraints, and success criteria.
• Develop and modify specialized test equipment to support evolving test requirements.
• Support rapid prototyping and iterative hardware development in a fast-paced R&D environment
• Review CAD models, engineering drawings, assembly documentation, and analysis results (structural, thermal, tolerance stack-up, fluid interface) to confirm hardware meets test and safety requirements, and recommended materials, components, and instrumentation as needed.
• Conduct R&D testing, partnering closing with test engineering team on operation and safety requirements; support integration, troubleshooting and commissioning of test hardware.
• Participate in test planning, readiness reviews, hazard assessments, and post-test evaluations.
• Lead test design and procurement of test articles, coordinating with internal manufacturing and external vendors to ensure hardware is delivered on schedule.
• Drive technical issues to closure while balancing schedule, cost, and technical performance, and identify opportunities to improve reliability, maintainability, and test throughput
• Generate and maintain technical documentation, including operating procedures, work instructions, and configuration records

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
• 8+ years of experience with mechanical systems, test equipment, propulsion hardware, or Ground Support Equipment (GSE), either through design or through test/integration engineering
• Strong proficiency with 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo, NX, or equivalent)
• Experience producing manufacturing drawings compliant with ASME Y14.5 GD&T standards
• Knowledge of mechanical design principles, structural analysis, materials selection, and manufacturing processes
• Experience with hardware in vacuum and laboratory environments
• Demonstrated ability to work closely with scientists, technicians, and test engineers to develop experimental hardware
• Experience supporting hardware assembly, integration, troubleshooting, and test execution
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly document technical work
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Experience working in fast-paced R&D environments where hardware is rapidly designed, built, tested, and iterated
• Experience supporting Design Reviews, Test Readiness Reviews (TRR), Failure Reviews, and Root Cause Analyses

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• Experience with liquid, gaseous, or electric propulsion systems
• Experience with instrumentation integration, including pressure transducers, thermocouples, load cells, flow meters, and valves
• Knowledge of fluid systems, cryogenic systems, vacuum systems, or high-pressure gas systems
• Familiarity with finite element analysis (FEA) and hand calculations to support design decisions
• Knowledge of configuration management, risk management, and engineering change processes
• Experience supporting aerospace, defense, or government-funded research programs
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead mechanical design efforts while effectively collaborating across multidisciplinary teams
• Experience programming post-processing/data reduction of test data

Benefits

• Paid holidays, sick time and unmetered vacation
• Excellent health and dental plans with 80% employer contribution
• 4% company matching 401k plan with immediate vesting
• Life Insurance
• Long-term / short term disability
• Education assistance

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanents residents of the U.S., or protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or any other protected factor.