Entry-Level Propulsion Design Engineer

Astromecha; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) program with stock options

Flexible time-off policy

Weekly team lunches

Astro Mechanica swag

Job summary

Astromecha in San Francisco is seeking a Propulsion Engineer to drive the design and validation of critical propulsion systems. The role requires hands-on experience with fluidic systems and CAD modeling skills, particularly in Siemens NX.

The ideal candidate will take ownership of projects from concept through flight qualification, working closely with teams to ensure high-quality engineering outputs. Competitive compensation and benefits are offered to foster a flexible and collaborative workplace.

Qualifications

• Able to take full ownership of hardware design from concept to production.
• Familiar with manufacturing processes, precision measurement, and GD&T.
• Flexibility to work in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Ideate design trade studies considering system-level impacts.
• Complete detailed design and perform structural, thermal analyses.
• Conduct hardware tests and analyze data to verify performance metrics.

Skills

Hands-on experience with fluidic and mechanical systems

Proficient in Siemens NX CAD modeling

Understanding of heat transfer and thermodynamics

Desire for continuous improvement

Attentive to detail

Job description

We’re a team of passionate engineers dedicated to advancing aerospace.

We’re generalists with specialist depth, united by a flat structure and a shared obsession with building things that work well. We move fast, stay pragmatic, and let engineering excellence speak louder than hierarchy.

If this sounds like how you operate, check out our job openings below.

Employment Type

Full time

Department

Propulsion

Compensation

• $115K – $145K

ABOUT US

Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company building a faster, more connected future. Our mission is to democratize high-speed flight by making supersonic travel flexible, accessible, and sustainable. We believe that rapid, on-demand, point-to-point global mobility will become the new standard for moving people and goods across the planet. To achieve this, we are integrating our advanced airframe and engine technologies—which include Duality™, our proprietary dual‑use propulsion system—with a new flight operations model to make supersonic transport as efficient and economical as commercial air travel is today. In the near term, we are developing adaptable, high‑speed systems to close aircraft performance gaps for the United States government.

WHO WE ARE

We’re a team of passionate engineers dedicated to advancing aerospace. We’re generalists with specialist depth, united by a flat structure and a shared obsession with building things that work well. We move fast, stay pragmatic, and let engineering excellence speak louder than hierarchy.

WHO YOU ARE

Astro Mechanica is seeking a Propulsion Engineer to join our growing team. The ideal candidate is someone who can take full ownership of hardware design from concept to production, and has a deep understanding of their impact on surrounding systems. Technical challenges are resolved from first principles. Your work at Astro Mechanica will have a direct impact on the configuration and performance of the Duality™ engine.

In this role, your mission will be to design, analyze, and validate critical propulsion systems from early prototype through flight qualification, vehicle integration, and aircraft flight. You embody the test‑like‑you‑fly philosophy.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Ideate on design trade studies while considering system‑level impacts
• Complete detailed design and support with structural, thermal, fluid analyses
• Present design reviews and solicit feedback from stakeholders
• Assemble prototypes firsthand, design complementary tooling, establish work instructions
• Conduct hardware test and analyze data to verify requirements and performance metrics
• Diagnose hardware problems efficiently and determine corrective actions

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• Club, project, or intern‑level hands‑on experience with fluidic and mechanical systems, propulsion systems
• Proficient in solid, surface, and sheet metal CAD modeling (Siemens NX)
• Exposure to manufacturing processes, precision measurement and GD&T
• Understanding of heat transfer, thermodynamics, and turbomachinery
• Exposure to data acquisition, instrumentation, and power electronics
• Desire for continuous improvement
• Flexibility to work in fast‑paced environment
• Attentive to detail and maintain a high level of quality in all work

PERKS AND BENEFITS

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) program and transparent stock option plan
• Self‑managed and flexible time‑off policy, including PTO, paid holidays, and sick time
• Flexible work environment
• Company‑funded perks, including weekly team lunches and Astro Mechanica swag

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

At Astro Mechanica, we highly value in‑office work to foster collaboration and strengthen our company culture. We consider working in the office five days a week an essential part of the employee's role.

Astro Mechanica is an equal opportunity employer. We proudly recruit and hire a diverse workforce and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.