Senior Propulsion Engineer

Divergent • Torrance, CA

21h

About The Position

Divergent is seeking an experienced Senior Propulsion Engineer to support the development of next-generation propulsion systems, initially focused on turbojet engine development. The role will help apply advanced materials, additive manufacturing, and functional integration through Divergent’s Adaptive Production System (DAPS) to engine design and manufacturing. It is part of a greenfield propulsion development program, taking innovative engine architectures from concept to hardware. Depending on experience and technical expertise, the position may be hired at Engineer, Senior Engineer, or Staff Engineer level.

The engineer will drive propulsion system and turbomachinery design, development, and integration; own subsystems and components through requirements, detailed design, build, integration, and test; and apply multidisciplinary engineering fundamentals to solve propulsion challenges. The role works across design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing teams, using rapid prototyping, iterative development, and performance evaluation to improve designs. It also includes supporting engine testing and troubleshooting, managing engineering trade-offs, collaborating on design for manufacturability and additive manufacturing processes, and providing technical guidance and mentorship.

The work involves frequent standing, walking, and interaction across production and R&D work areas. Work is also performed in an office environment and requires operating standard office equipment and keyboards. Occasional extended or weekend hours may be required to meet production deadlines.

Requirements

• Ability to lawfully access information and technology subject to U.S. export controls.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent.
• At least 4 years of experience in propulsion, gas turbine, turbomachinery, or engine development.
• Strong technical understanding of turbojet engines, turbomachinery, and propulsion system architectures.
• Experience designing, developing, and integrating mechanical components and complex engineered systems.
• Understanding of multiphysics behavior across turbomachinery, combustion devices, valves, instrumentation, and associated components.
• Strong foundation in thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, solid mechanics, and materials behavior.
• Experience supporting hardware development through design, analysis, build, integration, and test phases.
• Demonstrated experience with rapid prototyping, iterative hardware development, and design optimization.
• Experience collaborating with engineering, testing, and manufacturing teams to resolve technical challenges and meet system requirements.
• Ability to evaluate technical trade-offs involving performance, size, weight, cost, and manufacturability.
• Strong problem-solving skills and technical judgment, with the ability to independently drive complex engineering projects in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent.
• Direct turbojet engine or turbomachinery development experience.
• Experience developing propulsion systems for aerospace, defense, or other high-performance applications.
• Experience with additive manufacturing, design for additive manufacturing (DfAM), and advanced materials.
• Familiarity with finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and multiphysics simulation tools.
• Experience with engine testing, instrumentation, data acquisition, and performance characterization.
• Experience taking propulsion hardware from early-stage development through qualification or production.
• Experience in a greenfield, first-of-its-kind product development environment with aggressive development timelines.

Responsibilities

• Drive the design, development, and integration of next-generation propulsion systems, with an emphasis on turbojet engines and turbomachinery.
• Own propulsion subsystems and components from concept and requirements development through detailed design, hardware build, integration, and testing.
• Apply engineering fundamentals across thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, structural mechanics, and materials science to solve propulsion challenges.
• Develop and optimize engine components, including compressors, turbines, combustion systems, rotating assemblies, valves, and instrumentation.
• Partner with design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing teams to develop integrated propulsion solutions.
• Use DAPS technologies, including additive manufacturing, advanced materials, and functional integration, in propulsion system architectures.
• Drive rapid hardware development through prototyping, design iteration, testing, and model correlation.
• Evaluate component and system performance, identify design limitations, and implement improvements to meet performance, reliability, and durability requirements.
• Support engine testing, instrumentation, data analysis, and troubleshooting to validate designs and advance development.
• Manage trade-offs involving performance, weight, size, cost, manufacturability, and schedule while maintaining system requirements and safety objectives.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and DAPS technology teams to improve design for manufacturability and advance additive manufacturing processes and capabilities.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to other engineers and help establish engineering best practices and development processes.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, equity plan, and discretionary results-based incentive bonus opportunities.
• Paid vacation, sick time, and company holidays, including a year-end shutdown.
• Paid parental leave.
• Health and wellness benefits, including HMO and Premium PPO options.
• Company-sponsored life insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Reimbursement opportunities for learning and development initiatives.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level