Turbine Propulsion Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

5d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Turbine Propulsion Engineer with 3+ years of hands-on experience in propulsion system design, testing, and analysis. In this role, you will lead and contribute to the development, modeling, and experimental evaluation of propulsion concepts operating in subsonic and transonic regimes. You’ll serve as a technical contributor and mentor, providing subject-matter expertise in propulsion fundamentals while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to solve complex problems that directly support national defense missions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
3+ years of professional experience in propulsion system design, analysis, or testing.
Demonstrated expertise in propulsion fundamentals, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics.
Experience with propulsion modeling and simulation tools (e.g., NPSS, CFD codes, MATLAB, Python).
Strong track record of delivering technical results independently and as part of a collaborative team.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to brief sponsors and document results.
Able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Secret level clearance.
U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering.
Experience leading propulsion test campaigns, including facility coordination, test article design, and data analysis.
Familiarity with multiple propulsion speed regimes to include solid rocket motors, ramjets and scramjets.
Working knowledge of uncertainty quantification, experimental methods, and system-level trade studies.
Active DoD Secret or higher clearance.

Responsibilities

Lead propulsion analysis and design efforts for low-speed applications, including cycle analysis, performance modeling, and integration studies.
Design, plan, and oversee experimental campaigns, including wind tunnel tests, ground-based propulsion experiments, and hardware evaluations.
Develop, refine, and validate propulsion system models for use in design trades and system-level assessments.
Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance in propulsion fundamentals and experimental best practices.
Present technical findings and recommendations to sponsors, stakeholders, and leadership.
Contribute to innovative research initiatives in advanced propulsion technologies, air-breathing systems, and hybrid propulsion concepts.
Utilize propulsion modeling tools to conduct trade studies, performance assessments, and conceptual design studies of various weapon systems.