Lead Propulsion Systems Development Engineer

Astra•Alameda, CA

2d•$200,000 - $240,000

About The Position

Astra is seeking a Lead Propulsion Systems Development Engineer to own the technical integration of a liquid rocket engine onto the stage of Astra’s launch vehicle. This is a hands-on systems leadership role for an engineer who can connect engine-level performance, stage-level requirements, vehicle interfaces, test operations, and flight constraints into a coherent development plan. Reporting to the Head of Propulsion, you will manage the engine and propulsion system requirements, lead key development design reviews through the Astra Development Process, and drive the technical closure of engine-to-stage interfaces. You will work closely with external suppliers, internal design and analysis teams, test engineers, manufacturing, avionics, GNC, and launch operations to ensure the propulsion system is ready for ground test, qualification, and flight. If you enjoy high-accountability technical ownership, cross-functional problem solving, first-principles propulsion analysis, and the challenge of bringing complex hardware from design review through hot-fire test and flight readiness, this role is for you.

Requirements

10+ years of hands-on experience in rocket propulsion, launch vehicle systems, propulsion test, engine development, or closely related high-performance aerospace hardware.
Strong understanding of liquid propulsion system architecture, including tanks, feed systems, valves, pressurization, purge systems, chilldown, ignition, start/shutdown sequencing, and ground operations.
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional technical work across propulsion, structures, avionics, GNC, software, manufacturing, test, safety, and suppliers.
Experience managing requirements, interface control documents, verification plans, design reviews, test readiness reviews, and qualification evidence.
Ability to perform first-principles propulsion analysis and system modeling using tools such as Python, MATLAB, Simulink, NPSS, or similar engineering tools.
Experience analyzing test data and using it to drive design decisions, anomaly resolution, and qualification closure.
Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

Nice To Haves

Experience integrating liquid rocket engines or propulsion systems onto a launch vehicle, test article, or flight stage.
Experience with turbopump-fed liquid rocket engines and the interactions between engine requirements, vehicle interfaces, inlet conditions, and test operations.
Direct experience with LOX/kerosene propulsion systems.
Experience leading propulsion system development through PDR, CDR, TRR, QR, and FRR.
Experience with stage-level hot-fire testing, launch operations, or flight operations.
Prior experience in a fast-paced startup, launch vehicle company, propulsion supplier, or hardware-rich development environment.
Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers and raise the technical rigor of a small, high-performing team.

Responsibilities

Own the engine-to-stage integration plan for a turbopump-fed liquid propellant rocket engine, including mechanical, fluid, electrical, software, controls, thermal, operational, and safety interfaces.
Develop, maintain, and verify propulsion system requirements, interface control documents, verification plans, and technical closure criteria.
Lead cross-functional trades involving engine layout, feed system architecture, pressurization, chilldown, purge systems, start and shutdown sequencing, abort logic, operability, maintainability, and ground-test constraints.
Organize and lead key propulsion system design reviews through the Astra Development Process, including requirements reviews, architecture reviews, preliminary and critical design reviews, test readiness reviews, and qualification reviews.
Drive technical decision-making across propulsion, structures, avionics, GNC, software, manufacturing, test, launch operations, safety, and supplier teams.
Serve as the primary technical integrator for propulsion system performance, interfaces, operations, and verification.
Organize and lead the technical work required to substantiate propulsion system qualification for flight.
Perform propulsion system performance analysis and system modeling for turbopump-driven liquid propellant rocket engines and integrated launch vehicle stages. Model engine and stage interactions including feed system pressure drops, transient behavior, tank pressurization, propellant conditioning, inlet conditions, mixture ratio, thrust, specific impulse, and operational margins.
Lead or coordinate analysis specialists to complete design trades, substantiate margins, support design reviews, and resolve technical issues discovered during test.
Correlate analytical models against hot-fire and system-level test data to improve predictive capability and close verification objectives.
Plan and execute engine and stage propulsion hot-fire test campaigns in collaboration with test, operations, avionics, software, GNC, and supplier teams.
Analyze hot-fire test data to assess propulsion system performance and conduct root cause investigations related to engine health, start and shutdown transients, feed system behavior, controls performance, and system margins.