Principal Propulsion Engineer, UAS Systems

Atropos•San Diego, CA

6h•$165,000 - $245,000

About The Position

We’re a combat-tested group of engineers, operators, and entrepreneurs who believe America’s edge depends on autonomous airpower that’s trusted and deployable today not in 2040. Backed by tier-one investors, we’ve secured the runway - financial, regulatory, and literal - to move at startup speed while tackling a national-security mission that matters. We’ve structured the company for radical ownership: no silos, no “systems integrator” overhead, just tightly knit mission-focused IPTs that live and breathe the hardware and code they ship. If you thrive where hard-tech ambition meets national-security urgency, you’ll build faster here than anywhere else. Let’s get after it. Culture That Ships Strong Core Values, Startup Execution. Integrity, Service Before Self, Excellence, Honor, Courage, Commitment—powered by a bias for action and a “figure it out” mindset. Self-Starters Only. You’ll have clear objectives, a blank sheet of paper, and the trust (plus capital) to move fast. Bureaucracy stays out of your way. One Team, No Tourists. Whether you’re tuning a control law at 2 a.m. or heat-treating a Ti-6Al-4V spar, everyone sweats the details. We celebrate wins together and own failures together.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in aircraft propulsion or propulsion integration
Experience integrating turboprop and/or small turbofan engines
Strong understanding of engine performance, SFC, installation effects, and mission sizing
Experience leading propulsion integration on a clean-sheet or major derivative program
Working knowledge of structural loads, vibration, thermal management, and FADEC integration
Comfort operating at aircraft architecture level, not just component level
Experience interfacing directly with engine OEMs or Tier 1 suppliers
Ability to lead trade studies and defend architecture decisions at design reviews
Strong written and verbal technical communication skills
Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, or similar tools
Experience correlating analytical models with ground or flight test data

Nice To Haves

FAA Part 23 or Part 25 propulsion certification experience
Military airworthiness or DoD program experience
Experience with MBSE tools (e.g., Cameo)
Experience integrating propulsion with autonomy or unmanned systems
Flight test support experience

Responsibilities

Own the Propulsion Architecture
Lead engine selection and sizing trades
Define propulsion system architecture including nacelle, mounts, fuel, controls, and thermal integration
Tie propulsion performance to mission modeling and aircraft-level requirements
Drive Aircraft-Level Integration
Lead engine-to-airframe integration across structures, aerodynamics, avionics, and autonomy
Define propulsion interfaces and manage integration risks
Partner cross-functionally to retire vibration, thermal, and installation risks early
Lead OEM & Supplier Engagement
Serve as primary technical interface with engine OEMs
Evaluate performance guarantees, integration constraints, and certification pedigree
Ensure long-lead propulsion risks are proactively managed
Enable Certification & Airworthiness
Support FAA and/or military airworthiness compliance strategy
Contribute to propulsion-related hazard analyses and safety documentation
Help shape the path from experimental testing to certified operations
Support Test & Validation
Define propulsion ground and flight test instrumentation strategies
Correlate models with test data
Own performance validation against mission requirements

Benefits

Platinum Healthcare Benefits: Atropos offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with 100% employer-paid premiums and little to no cost to you
Basic Life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance 100% covered by Atropos, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents
Unlimited PTO, with minimum of 15 days enforced
20 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition
Family Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility (eg, IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting
Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy, life coaching, and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, available to you as well
Tuition and professional development reimbursement for STEM, MBA, and licenses
In-Office Daily Lunch catered
Company-funded child care stipend
Company-funded commuter benefits available based on your region.
Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility).
401(k) retirement savings plan - both a traditional and Roth 401(k). 6% employer matching contribution