Senior Propulsion Engineer

Opus Aerospace; Brétigny-sur-Orge; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

OPUS Aerospace, a space and defense start-up based in Brétigny-sur-Orge, develops sounding rockets for dual-use applications and the Mesange rocket. You will contribute to propulsion system subcomponents design, analysis and testing, and to verification campaigns.

The role requires a master’s in propulsion (or equivalent) and 3–5 years’ experience in propulsion or defense, with strong knowledge of rocket engine physics, CFD/analytical models, and English proficiency.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an engineering school or master’s in propulsion, or equivalent.
• 3–5 years of propulsion or defence industry experience.
• Deep knowledge of rocket engine physics: combustion, thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid dynamics.
• Experience with 0D/1D analytical models for propulsion design and performance.
• CFD simulations experience, ideally reactive or multiphase flows.
• Proficiency with CAD design and engineering simulation tools (CFD/FEA).
• Hands-on experience with complex experimental campaigns, high-risk tests.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary, international team.
• Technical proficiency in English; knowledge of another language a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyze and test propulsion subcomponents (chamber, cooling, injectors).
• Run fluidic and thermal simulations for propulsion subsystems.
• Define manufacturing and inspection processes; monitor production with subcontractors.
• Setup and execute test campaigns, in-house or with partners.
• Draft and update propulsion technical and configuration documentation.

Skills

Rocket engines

Propulsion design

CFD simulations

FEA

MATLAB

Python

CAD/CAE tools

Thermodynamics

Heat transfer

Experimentation

English proficiency

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

Master’s in propulsion

Engineering degree

Tools

MATLAB

Python

CFD software

FEA software

CAD software

Job description

OPUS Aerospace is a start-up founded in 2020, positioned at the crossroads of space and defense, based in Brétigny-sur-Orge on the former Air Base 217, developing sounding rockets for very high altitude up to the edge of space, dedicated to dual-use applications.

Through Mesange, its supersonic sounding rocket, the company addresses defense applications such as simulating aerial threats, qualifying detection and interception systems, and training armed forces, as well as civilian missions such as microgravity experiments, upper atmosphere research, and qualifying space technologies in a real environment.

As it prepares for Mesange’s first flight, OPUS Aerospace is building a sovereign, disruptive capability brick by brick.

• Design, analysis and testing of propulsion system’s subcomponents (combustion chamber, regenerative cooling system, injectors, etc.) according to defined requirements,
• Perform fluidic and thermal simulation models of propulsion system’s subcomponents,
• Define manufacturing and inspection processes; monitor production with subcontractors and partners to ensure compliance throughout the development cycle
• Contribute to setting up and running test campaigns, whether in-house or with partners
• Draft and update the associated technical and configuration documentation
• Graduate of an engineering school or holder of a master’s degree in propulsion (or equivalent) with at least 3 to 5 years of experience in propulsion or defence industry,
• In-depth understanding of rocket engine physics, including combustion chemistry, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics.
• Experience in preliminary propulsion system design and performance prediction using 0D/1D analytical models and tools such as MATLAB or Python.
• Experience setting up and running CFD simulations, ideally involving reactive flows and/or multiphase flows.
• Proficiency in component-level CAD design and engineering simulation tools, including CFD and FEA.
• Hands-on experience in preparing, conducting, and analyzing complex experimental campaigns, including high-risk tests.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary and international team;
• Technical proficiency in English is essential. Knowledge of another language would be a plus