Hybrid propulsion engineer

Alpha Impulsion; Napoli; In loco; EUR 28.000 - 45.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

Alpha Impulsion in Napoli seeks a hybrid propulsion engineer to contribute to the GARNET program. You will design and test medium-scale hybrid rocket engines, build test models, and push for reliable performance and flight readiness.

You will collaborate with teams in France and Italy, study engine dynamics and combustion, support safety processes, and report results in traceable technical documentation.

Competenze

• Engineering degree with experience in hybrid rocket propulsion.
• Experience in development of hybrid rocket engines and ground systems.
• Knowledge of combustion phenomena and propulsion-related analysis.

Mansioni

• Collaborate on design of the latest engine from Phase A to integration and firing.
• Coordinate with France and Italy teams to integrate results across programs.
• Work with research orgs (CIRA, ONERA, DLR) to model engine phenomena.
• Ensure safety processes are applied to space propulsion.

Conoscenze

Hybrid propulsion

Internal combustion

CFD/CFx tools

Measurement methods

Safety processes

Analytical skills

Project management

English communication

Italian/French appreciated

Formazione

Engineering degree in hybrid propulsion

PhD in propulsion (great plus)

Strumenti

SimCenter

StarCCM+

Descrizione del lavoro

Overview

Join Alpha Impulsion as hybrid propulsion engineer and play a key role in the development of GARNET, the first autophage launch vehicle.

You will be part of the team responsible for the design and testing of a medium-scale hybrid autophage rocket engine, its test models and future iterations to improve performance and meet flight requirements. You will further contribute to internal R&D activities for all applications, including in-space propulsion.

Your first project here

Alpha Impulsion is developing a medium-scale research engine and propulsion test bench as part of a major contract in Italy. This activity will support the development of a game-changing rocket engine able to disrupt the way launchers are built, reaching performance up to twice that of current propulsion technologies. You will embark on a new project, with the opportunity to build it from start to qualification and exploitation.

Your key responsibilities

As part of your missions, you will be entrusted with the following responsibilities:

• Collaborate on the design of Alpha Impulsion’s newest engine, from Phase A to integration and firing.
• Collaborate with the other teams (systems, materials, mechanics, propulsion) in France and Italy to integrate your results and support the progress of the other programs under development by Alpha Impulsion (i.e. in-space applications and launch activities).
• Collaborate closely with leading research organisations such as CIRA (IT), ONERA (FR), and DLR (DE) to study and model advanced physical phenomena such as engine dynamics, combustion instabilities, fuel grain pyrolysis and regression improvement techniques.

What we would appreciate most

Education:

• Engineering degree with experience in hybrid rocket propulsion. A PhD in the field is a great plus.

Experience:

• Experience in development of hybrid rocket engines and their ground systems. Candidates with 3+ years of experience will be favoured, but the position is open to candidates who developed such skills as part of university rocketry teams.
• Experience in development of rocket engines and ground systems using Gaseous and Liquid Oxygen as oxidiser.

Skills:

• Mastery of internal combustion processes relevant for hybrid propulsion (diffusion-limited combustion theory, atomisation, erosive combustion) and complex physical phenomena: pyrolysis, ablation, coupled heat transfer.
• Knowledge of 0D / 1D thermo-mechanical analyses, FEM methods (SimCenter) and/or CFD (StarCCM+).
• Knowledge of measurement methods in use in rocket propulsion. Experience with optical access appreciated.
• Sensitivity to safety processes applied to space propulsion.
• Analytical skills, scientific rigor, and ability to report in traceable technical documentation.
• Comfortable with project management and Agile frameworks.
• Professional English required. Italian and/or French appreciated.

Why you should join us

What makes Alpha Impulsion unique:

• We are building something that does not exist. No amount of technical experience can answer all questions. When tests and feedback are the only path forward, you will find new approaches and define the future of propulsion technology.
• Your work is your own. Each member owns designs and ideas; we all take responsibilities to learn faster. You are the one to solve the problem, because it’s yours to begin with. You have a significant input in all aspects of your mission, from concept to design to method to test and lessons learned.
• We have a driving mission. We are making the difference, halving the environmental impact of propulsion and dividing by six its cost, while preventing orbital debris at the source.

Compensation

Gross salary (RAL) from 28 to 45 k€, depending on professional experience. Additional meal voucher and fringe benefits to be discussed.