Fluids and Propulsion Test Engineer (III-Senior)

True Anomaly, Inc.; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision

401K

PTO and paid holidays

Parental Leave

Job summary

True Anomaly seeks Fluids & Propulsion Test Engineers to lead design, planning and execution of propulsion and fluid tests for spacecraft hardware. You’ll collaborate with propulsion, systems, and production teams to ensure performance and environmental compliance, shaping cutting-edge propulsion tech in a fast-paced, mission-driven setting.

Ideal candidates bring hands-on test experience, data analysis skills, and the ability to coordinate cross-disciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, chemical engineering or related field.
• Experience in propulsion or fluids test engineering for aerospace, defense, or high-reliability systems.
• Knowledge of propulsion and fluid system test methodologies including proof, leak, functional, and performance testing.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams during test campaigns.
• Strong background in data analysis, systems engineering, and failure analysis for propulsion hardware.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and technical documentation skills.
• U.S. Citizenship required due to government contracts.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead test strategies for propulsion and fluid system programs, including requirements verification, procedure development, and execution oversight.
• Author and review propulsion and fluids test documentation including plans, procedures, readiness reports, and compliance matrices.
• Analyze complex propulsion and fluid system test data, resolve anomalies, and lead root cause investigations and corrective actions.
• Oversee test campaigns spanning propulsion and fluids disciplines including proof testing, leak testing, functional/performance testing, and propellant loading operations.
• Design, build, commission, and operate propulsion and fluids ground support equipment in support of testing operations.
• Interface with program leadership, customers, and regulatory bodies during design reviews and formal propulsion test events.
• Ensure compliance with industry, range safety, and military standards for propulsion and hazardous fluid test planning and reporting.

Skills

Data analysis

Leadership

Communication

Technical documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, chemical engineering

Tools

LabVIEW

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.

OUR MISSION

True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors — enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.

OUR VALUES

• Be the offset.We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.
• What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.
• It’s the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together.

YOUR MISSION

We are seeking highly motivated Fluids & Propulsion Test Engineers to support the design, planning, and execution of test campaigns for spacecraft propulsion and fluid systems. You will work closely with propulsion engineers, systems engineers, and production teams to ensure propulsion and fluid hardware meets performance, environmental, and mission‑critical requirements. In this role, you will develop test plans, execute propulsion and fluid system tests, collect and analyze data, disposition anomalies, and verify that hardware meets all specifications. The position offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to cutting‑edge spacecraft propulsion technologies in a fast‑paced, mission‑driven environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Define and lead test strategies for propulsion and fluid system programs, including requirements verification, procedure development, and execution oversight.
• Author and review propulsion and fluids test documentation including plans, procedures, readiness reports, and compliance matrices.
• Analyze complex propulsion and fluid system test data, resolve anomalies, and lead root cause investigations and corrective actions.
• Oversee test campaigns spanning propulsion and fluids disciplines including proof testing, leak testing, functional/performance testing, and propellant loading operations, ensuring full traceability to system requirements.
• Design, build, commission, and operate propulsion and fluids ground support equipment in support of testing operations.
• Interface with program leadership, customers, and regulatory bodies during design reviews and formal propulsion test events.
• Ensure compliance with industry, range safety, and military standards for propulsion and hazardous fluid test planning and reporting.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, chemical engineering, or related technical discipline.
• Years of relevant experience in propulsion or fluid systems test engineering for aerospace, defense, or high-reliability systems in line with engineering level.
• Knowledge of propulsion and fluid system test methodologies including proof, leak, functional, and performance testing.
• Experience performing propulsion or fluid system test campaigns and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong background in data analysis, systems engineering, and failure analysis for propulsion hardware.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and technical documentation skills.
• U.S. Citizenship required due to government contracts.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master's or higher degree in aerospace, mechanical, or chemical engineering.
• Expertise with data acquisition, test automation, and scripting (LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB) for propulsion test environments.
• Hands‑on experience with propulsion components including thrusters, valves, regulators, tanks, and feed systems.
• Familiarity with propellant handling, hazardous fluid operations, and range safety requirements.
• Experience with test standards such as MIL-STD-810, AIAA propulsion standards, or NASA/DoD propulsion test specs.
• Experience working in classified or secure test environments.
• Active Secret or Top Secret clearance.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Base Salary:

• Test Engineer 2: $100,000-$120,000
• Test Engineer 3: $125,000-$155,000
• Senior Test Engineer: $140,000-$175,000

Equity + Benefits

including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case‑case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job‑related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work Location— this a fully onsite position based out of our Long Beach, CA office.
• Work environment— the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
• Physical demands— the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us.