Propulsion Valve Development Engineer (m/f/d)

Rocket Factory Augsburg; Augsburg; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Atmosphere

Flexible hours

Home office

Wellness benefits

Paid time off 30 days

Team events

Free parking

Job summary

Rocket Factory Augsburg is seeking a Propulsion Valve Development Engineer to design and develop valve and fluid control hardware for our rocket engines. You will take ownership from concept through qualification and flight, collaborating with propulsion, manufacturing, test, and systems teams.

The role emphasizes hands-on development, CAD-driven solutions, and rigorous analysis to ensure reliability and flight readiness in a dynamic New Space startup environment in Germany.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering or related field.
• Strong understanding of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics.
• Experience designing mechanical components, valves, or fluid control hardware.
• Ability to plan and analyze hardware development and tests.
• Familiarity with P&IDs and complex fluid systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop valves and fluid control systems for rocket propulsion from concept to production.
• Own mechanical design of next-generation engine valves for manufacturability.
• Perform analyses and interpret simulations (thermal, structural, fluid flow).
• Plan, execute, and evaluate component and subsystem tests; document results.

Skills

Fluid mechanics

Thermodynamics

Valves design

P&IDs interpretation

GD&T

Materials knowledge

Manufacturing methods

Engineering drawings

Independent problem solving

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

CAD tools

Finite element analysis

Job description

About Rocket Factory Augsburg

At Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), we have one clear goal: to create low-cost, flexible, and reliable access to space. We specialize in building small launch vehicles designed to deploy satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and beyond. Together with you, we aim to revolutionize space services and help improve life on Earth. Sounds interesting? Then join our journey and become part of the team driving the New Space movement in Europe.

About the Team

As a Propulsion Valve Development Engineer (f/m/d), you will play a key role in developing critical fluid control hardware for our rocket engines. This is a highly hands-on engineering position where you will take ownership of valve and fluidic system designs from initial concept through testing, qualification, and flight. You will work alongside experienced propulsion, manufacturing, test, and systems engineers, seeing your hardware progress from CAD models to hot-fire campaigns and ultimately to launch.

If you are passionate about propulsion systems, enjoy solving complex engineering challenges, and want to contribute directly to the future of European spaceflight, we'd love to hear from you.

Your Tasks

• Design and develop valves and fluid control systems for rocket propulsion applications from concept through production and integration.
• Own the mechanical design of next-generation engine valves, creating robust and manufacturable solutions using CAD tools.
• Perform engineering analyses and interpret simulation results, including thermal, structural, and fluid flow assessments, to optimize performance and reliability.
• Plan, execute, and evaluate component and subsystem tests, transforming test data into actionable design improvements.
• Create and maintain accurate engineering documentation, including drawings, specifications, test procedures, and technical reports.
• Collaborate closely with Test, Manufacturing, Analysis, and Production teams to support hardware development, qualification, and flight readiness.
• Investigate and resolve design issues and non-conformances, driving continuous improvement across propulsion fluid systems.

Your Qualifications

Must-Have Skills

• Strong understanding of fluid mechanics, including compressible and incompressible flow behavior.
• Solid knowledge of thermodynamics, mechanics, and pressurized fluid systems.
• Experience designing mechanical components, valves, or fluid control hardware in demanding engineering environments.
• Ability to plan, execute, and analyze hardware development and qualification tests.
• Proficiency in interpreting Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) and understanding complex fluid systems.
• Strong knowledge of engineering materials, manufacturing methods, and design-for-manufacturing principles.
• Ability to create and interpret technical drawings, including Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Structured problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently in a fast-paced development environment.
• Professional proficiency in English, both written and spoken.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

Nice-to-Have

• Hands-on workshop, assembly, or prototype development experience.
• Experience designing propulsion, aerospace, automotive, energy, or other high-performance fluid systems.
• Familiarity with Siemens NX or comparable CAD platforms.
• Experience with engineering simulations and numerical analysis tools.
• Knowledge of Python for data processing, automation, or engineering calculations.
• Strong Excel skills for technical analysis and reporting.
• Experience working in test-intensive product development environments.

We Offer

• Atmosphere: Experience life in an international & dynamic New Space start-up
• Flexibility: Fit your working schedule to your needs with flexible working hours
• Home Office: Full-time employees benefit from one day per week home office
• Health: Sweat, stretch or squat it out with EGYM Wellpass
• Paid Time Off: 30 days annual leave and speacial leave days
• Team Culture: Join regular company and team events
• Parking: Free parking for your car or bike