Senior R&D Engineer

Revolution Space•Boston, MA

4d•$130,400 - $195,600•Onsite

About The Position

Revolution Space is looking for a dynamic and growth-oriented Senior R&D Engineer to lead the testing and integration of propulsion systems for advanced propulsion concepts. Responsibilities include test design, structural/thermal analysis, manufacturing collaboration, and performance data analysis. In this role, you will work closely with cross-functional teams, primarily scientists and test engineers, to ensure safe, and efficient validation of propulsion concepts that meet performance requirements for challenging space missions within a laboratory environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
8+ years of experience with mechanical systems, test equipment, propulsion hardware, or Ground Support Equipment (GSE), either through design or through test/integration engineering
Strong proficiency with 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo, NX, or equivalent)
Experience producing manufacturing drawings compliant with ASME Y14.5 GD&T standards
Knowledge of mechanical design principles, structural analysis, materials selection, and manufacturing processes
Experience with hardware in vacuum and laboratory environments
Demonstrated ability to work closely with scientists, technicians, and test engineers to develop experimental hardware
Experience supporting hardware assembly, integration, troubleshooting, and test execution
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly document technical work
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Experience working in fast-paced R&D environments where hardware is rapidly designed, built, tested, and iterated
Experience supporting Design Reviews, Test Readiness Reviews (TRR), Failure Reviews, and Root Cause Analyses

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
Experience with liquid, gaseous, or electric propulsion systems
Experience with instrumentation integration, including pressure transducers, thermocouples, load cells, flow meters, and valves
Knowledge of fluid systems, cryogenic systems, vacuum systems, or high-pressure gas systems
Familiarity with finite element analysis (FEA) and hand calculations to support design decisions
Knowledge of configuration management, risk management, and engineering change processes
Experience supporting aerospace, defense, or government-funded research programs
Demonstrated ability to independently lead mechanical design efforts while effectively collaborating across multidisciplinary teams
Experience programming post-processing/data reduction of test data

Responsibilities

Collaborate with scientists, propulsion engineers, and multi-disciplinary technical team to translate experimental objectives into test setup designs, defining requirements, interfaces, constraints, and success criteria.
Develop and modify specialized test equipment to support evolving test requirements.
Support rapid prototyping and iterative hardware development in a fast-paced R&D environment
Review CAD models, engineering drawings, assembly documentation, and analysis results (structural, thermal, tolerance stack-up, fluid interface) to confirm hardware meets test and safety requirements, and recommended materials, components, and instrumentation as needed.
Conduct R&D testing, partnering closing with test engineering team on operation and safety requirements; support integration, troubleshooting and commissioning of test hardware.
Participate in test planning, readiness reviews, hazard assessments, and post-test evaluations.
Lead test design and procurement of test articles, coordinating with internal manufacturing and external vendors to ensure hardware is delivered on schedule.
Drive technical issues to closure while balancing schedule, cost, and technical performance, and identify opportunities to improve reliability, maintainability, and test throughput
Generate and maintain technical documentation, including operating procedures, work instructions, and configuration records