Staff Propulsion Engineer

Job Description:

We are seeking a Staff Propulsion Engineer to serve as the Responsible Engineer (RE) for a low-bypass turbofan engine that will power our next-generation UAV platform. This role demands full lifecycle ownership of the engine—from architecture and integration through test, flight, performance validation, and operational support.

You will serve as the focal point for all technical matters related to the engine, ensuring it delivers the required performance, integrates cleanly with the vehicle, and supports the full range of operational demands. This role is hands-on, analysis-driven, and highly cross-functional—requiring collaboration with design, controls, airframe, flight test, and mission teams.

What you will do in this role:

• Act as the single-threaded owner for the engine, accountable for all technical decisions from concept to flight.
• Define and manage engine requirements, interfaces, integration strategy, and performance goals.
• Lead ground and flight testing of the engine, including instrumentation planning, data acquisition, and analysis of key performance parameters (thrust, fuel flow, margin, transients).
• Analyze engine performance data across the flight envelope to validate behavior, identify anomalies, and close design-to-mission gaps.
• Collaborate with airframe, controls, and mission engineering teams to ensure engine integration supports aircraft-level CONOPS, maneuverability, and reliability.
• Own engine-level fault management, failure investigations, and margin assessments.
• Guide the development of engine control logic and tuning, including throttle schedule design and transient response shaping.
• Represent the engine in design reviews, technical readiness checkpoints, leadership briefings, and customer engagements.

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in jet engine development, testing, and integration.
• Proven cradle-to-grave ownership of engine hardware, including sizing, integration, test, and flight.
• Deep knowledge of aerospace engine fundamentals, including thermodynamic cycles, thrust modeling, operability limits, and transient response.
• Hands-on experience in engine testing, including sensor planning, data systems, and test execution.
• Strong proficiency in Python for performance analysis, data reduction, and model correlation.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret engine performance data, including altitude/mach sensitivities and system interactions.
• U.S. Citizenship or ability to comply with ITAR requirements.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with low-bypass turbofan engines for UAVs, tactical aircraft, or similar aerospace platforms.
• Familiarity with GFSSP, REFPROP, ANSYS, or FEA for supporting thermal, fluid, or structural assessments.
• Experience with engine control development, including feedback tuning and transient validation.
• Background in rocket engine development, particularly in areas transferable to jet engine design, test, or integration.
• Proficiency in Siemens NX and Teamcenter for CAD and configuration control.
• Skilled in generating and reviewing technical documentation, including test reports, interface definitions, ICDs, and failure analyses.
• Ability to lead within a test-driven, hardware-centric aerospace development environment.
• M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.