Electric Propulsion Test Engineer

General Galactic; Los Angeles, California (CA, MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401k plan

PTO

Job summary

General Galactic seeks an Electric Propulsion Test Engineer to join a focused technical team. You will test propulsion hardware and vacuum systems, own test campaigns, and contribute to documentation and iterative design processes.

Responsibilities include designing vacuum test setups, analyzing results, and building test hardware. A hands-on engineer with propulsion testing experience will thrive in this startup environment in Los Angeles.

Qualifications

• BS in mechanical or aerospace engineering or similar.
• 1+ years hands-on experience in testing electric propulsion systems or related hardware.
• Experience with maintenance and operation of vacuum systems, including cryopumps and vacuum chambers.
• Experience with programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
• Experience in design and test of pressurized components and systems; startup environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Test electric propulsion hardware including thruster and cathode components.
• Design and procure vacuum systems for propulsion testing (vacuum chambers, pumps, etc.).
• Analyze test results and diagnose issues during campaigns.
• Build and repair development thruster hardware to enable rapid iteration.
• Create qualification and acceptance test plans and qualify designs through vibration, TVAC, and related tests.
• Document results to inform iterative design processes.

Skills

Propulsion testing

Vacuum systems

PLC experience

Problem solving

Education

BS in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Tools

Cryopumps

Vacuum chambers

TVAC equipment

PLC hardware

Job description

General Galactic designs, builds, and flies advanced spacecraft that redefine what’s possible beyond Earth. Led by former SpaceX, Varda, Impulse, and Relativity engineers, our vision is to dominate cislunar space and build the railway to Mars – expanding access to high-energy orbits and enabling the next generation of missions along the way. Based in Los Angeles, California, we’re leveraging our paradigm-shifting water-based technology to reshape the space domain for good.

Job Description

As an Electric Propulsion Test Engineer, you will work closely with a focused technical team to test and diagnose critical electric propulsion hardware and vacuum GSE for our product suite, including Seldon and Dreadnought spacecraft vehicles, Genesis propulsion systems, and more. You will have extreme ownership over your work, move quickly, and operate with high agency. As we grow, there will be opportunities to expand your role with the company.

In particular, you will test components of General Galactic’s electric propulsion systems, including Hall-effect thrusters and hollow cathodes.. You will contribute to designs through robust testing and documentation. You will also own the design and procurement of critical vacuum systems for testing Hall-effect thrusters. This is a hands‑on role that requires experience in fundamentals of electric propulsion, aerospace testing, and vacuum systems.

Responsibilities may include:

• Test electric propulsion hardware including critical thruster and cathode components, propellant management systems, and more
• Design and procure critical vacuum systems for electric propulsion testing, including vacuum chambers, cryopumps, roughing pumps, and more
• Analyze test results and diagnose issues as they arise
• Build and repair development thruster and cathode hardware to quickly iterate through test campaigns
• Create qualification and acceptance test plans and qualify designs through vibration, shock, TVAC, and other testing
• Create rigorous documentation to ensure your results can inform an iterative design process

Requirements

Successful applicants should have most of the following:

• BS in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or similar degree
• 1+ years of hands‑on experience in testing electric propulsion systems or similar hardware
• Experience with maintenance and operation of vacuum systems, including cryopumps, vacuum chambers, roughing pumps.
• Experience with programmable logic controllers
• Experience in design and test of pressurized components and systemsExperience in a fast‑paced startup environment or similar
• Strong engineering background and first‑principles approach to problem solving even with incomplete or partial information

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Your salary and incentives will be determined individually on the basis of the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Benefits include medical/vision/dental/PTO/401k/stock options, and more!

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This position requires access to information protected under US export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulations. As such, US person status (including US citizens, U.S. permanent residents, individuals granted U.S. asylum status, or individuals admitted in U.S. refugee status) is a required qualification for this position.

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General Galactic Technologies Corporation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.