Principal Propulsion Engineer  (PPMS)

Venus Aerospace•Oceanside, CA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Venus Aerospace is hiring a Principal Propulsion Engineer to design, analyze, and develop Propellant & Pressure Management (PPMS) systems for mass- and volume-constrained environments. The role takes designs from concept through flight-mature hardware and supports propulsion subsystems and full-stage testing. The engineer will work in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment and communicate knowledge to strengthen the team. The position is full-time and salaried, with hybrid work based in Oceanside, California, and travel to Venus Aerospace headquarters in Houston, Texas. Travel is approximately three weeks per year, with additional trips possible for hardware or operational support. The position involves access to technology subject to U.S. export controls; applicants must meet applicable ITAR requirements or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations.

Requirements

At least 10 years of aerospace vehicle and engine systems engineering or design experience.
Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering.
Systems engineering and operational experience.
Experience working on multidisciplinary project teams.
Knowledge of standard aerospace materials used in propulsion designs subject to high mechanical and thermal loads.
Knowledge of aerospace fluid-system component and fluid-connection specifications.
At least 5 years of CAD experience, particularly with large assemblies.
Experience with some of the following tools: NX, SolidWorks, ANSYS Mechanical, CFX, StarCCM+, Matlab, Python, or Microsoft Visio.
Strong communication skills for working effectively in a hybrid in-person and remote environment.
Ability to meet U.S. export-control requirements or obtain required authorizations.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering.
Experience with RDREs or RDEs.
Experience working with mass- and volume-constrained systems.
Project management or leadership experience.
Familiarity with Agile methods.
Strong systems-engineering background for engine or PPMS systems.
Engine or engine-component testing experience.
Familiarity with standards such as SMC-S-016, NASA STD-5012, AIAA S-080A-2018, and ANSI/ISA 5.1.
Experience developing and standardizing design, analysis, and testing processes.
Multidisciplinary skills in mechanical and fluid-system design, structural and thermal design and analysis, engine testing and hot-fire data analysis, hands-on propulsion-system assembly and testing, complex CAD modeling and design for manufacturing, and first-order thermodynamic trades.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

Support design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing of propulsion subsystems and full-stage tests.
Generate CAD models of components, engine systems, and engine assemblies from P&IDs.
Model, analyze, and design engine fluid networks; work with the propulsion components team to identify commercial off-the-shelf or custom fluid-system components.
Generate P&IDs for engine systems.
Develop and execute test plans and analyze test results.
Perform systems engineering, including engine balances, engine sizing and requirements, understanding engine cycles, and trading cycle efficiencies.
Use agile methods to break complex projects into daily and weekly actionable tasks.
Design and analyze tanks, supporting tank structures, and PPMS.
Coordinate with vehicle engineering and test teams to satisfy engine-system design requirements and communicate test requirements.
Work with outside vendors and in-house procurement to select and source engine and PPMS components.