Bearing & Seal Design Engineer – Rocket Turbopumps

Astrobase Space Technologies Private Limited; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Astrobase Space Technologies Pvt. Ltd. is seeking a Bearing & Seal Design Engineer to own bearings and dynamic seals for liquid rocket engine turbopumps, from design through testing and inspection.

The role includes selecting bearings, designing seals, predicting leakage, and ensuring stability across operating ranges, with hands-on assembly and collaboration with suppliers. Office-based with occasional travel to the factory and test facility.

Qualifications

• B.E./B.Tech or M.E./M.Tech in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 2–5 years designing or assembling bearings or seals for high-speed rotating machinery.
• Knowledge of bearing selection and life, DN limits, contact stress, lubrication and cooling.
• Understanding of seal design, leakage prediction and seal instability mechanisms.
• Hands-on knowledge of assembly practices: fits, shrink and press fits, preload measurement and contamination control.
• Python or MATLAB for engineering calculations; CAD with GD&T.

Responsibilities

• Select and design bearings (rolling-element, hydrostatic or fluid-film), including preload, fits, propellant cooling and life.
• Design dynamic seals (labyrinth, floating-ring, face, lift-off and inter-propellant seals) and predict leakage.
• Study seal instability: assess seal whirl, cross-coupled forces, floating-ring lock up and seal face flutter, and design features that keep seals stable across the operating range.
• Define bearing and seal clearances, accounting for cryogenic contraction, thermal growth and centrifugal growth.
• Write bearing and seal assembly procedures, covering fits, installation methods, preload setting, torque and cleanliness.
• Support turbopump assembly: verify bearing and seal installation, preload and clearances, and resolve assembly non-conformances.
• Inspect bearings and seals after test, find root causes of wear, leakage or damage, and drive design and assembly improvements.
• Present bearing and seal designs at the PDR, TDR and VDR and get clearance, and work with bearing and seal suppliers.

Skills

Bearing design

Seal design

Python/MATLAB

CAD

GD&T

Education

B.E./B.Tech or M.E./M.Tech in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Python

MATLAB

CAD

Job description

2 to 5yrs

Full-Time

ABOUT ASTROBASE SPACE TECHNOLOGIES Astrobase is a pioneering spacetech startup founded by prominent Senior ISRO scientists and IIT Bombay alumni with over 20 years of experience in designing, manufacturing, testing and flying advanced Cryogenic Launch Vehicles. Driven by a vision to make India a Space tech powerhouse, we are developing innovative launch vehicles that will transform space exploration. At Astrobase, you’ll be part of a team creating history in the Indian space industry. Our goal is to become the first private space company from India to land on the moon economically.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As Bearing & Seal Design Engineer, you will own the bearings and dynamic seals of our liquid rocket engine turbopumps, from design and seal stability studies through to assembly, test and post-test inspection.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Select and design bearings (rolling-element, hydrostatic or fluid-film), including preload, fits, propellant cooling and life.

2. Design dynamic seals (labyrinth, floating-ring, face, lift-off and inter-propellant seals) and predict leakage.

3. Study seal instability: assess seal whirl, cross-coupled forces, floating-ring lock up and seal face flutter, and design features that keep seals stable across the operating range.

4. Define bearing and seal clearances, accounting for cryogenic contraction, thermal growth and centrifugal growth.

5. Write bearing and seal assembly procedures, covering fits, installation methods, preload setting, torque and cleanliness.

6. Support turbopump assembly: verify bearing and seal installation, preload and clearances, and resolve assembly non-conformances.

7. Inspect bearings and seals after test, find root causes of wear, leakage or damage, and drive design and assembly improvements.

8. Present bearing and seal designs at the PDR, TDR and VDR and get clearance, and work with bearing and seal suppliers.

REQUIREMENTS

1. B.E./B.Tech or M.E./M.Tech in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.

2. 2–5 years designing or assembling bearings or seals for high-speed rotating machinery.

3. Knowledge of bearing selection and life, DN limits, contact stress, lubrication and cooling.

4. Understanding of seal design, leakage prediction and seal instability mechanisms. 5. Hands‑on knowledge of assembly practices: fits, shrink and press fits, preload measurement and contamination control.

6. Python or MATLAB for engineering calculations; CAD with GD&T.

GOOD TO HAVE

Cryogenic or propellant-cooled bearing and seal experience.

Seal leakage or seal stability testing.

Experience working with bearing and seal suppliers.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This role is part of the Turbomachinery Department. It is mainly office-based design work, with occasional travel to the factory and test facility for assembly and testing.

WHY WORK WITH US?

At Astrobase, we believe in the power of human ingenuity and collaboration to push the boundaries of space exploration. As a team member, you’ll be

1. Creating History: Join us in developing cutting-edge launch vehicles, playing a pivotal role in transforming space access and shaping the future of space exploration.

2. Collaborating with Experts: Work alongside ISRO scientists and industry veterans with decades of experience in designing India’s iconic space missions like Chandrayaan 3

3. Growth Opportunities: As Astrobase scales, you’ll have the chance to take on leadership roles and be part of an expanding organization driving change in the Indian space sector.

4. Pioneering Space Technology: Your contributions will not only impact Astrobase but also influence the global space ecosystem. Be part of something larger than yourself.