Lead Propulsion Architect – Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Approach Venture; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company matching

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Approach Venture in Fort Worth, Texas is seeking a Senior Propulsion Integration Engineer to own propulsion architecture across unmanned aircraft platforms. You will evaluate piston, electric, hybrid, and turbine propulsion options and lead integration of engines, motors, and power systems.

You will work with aerodynamics, structures, avionics, manufacturing, and flight test teams from early trade studies through production, traveling to sites as needed.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of propulsion engineering experience.
• Direct experience developing or integrating propulsion systems for unmanned aircraft.
• Hands-on experience with fixed-wing aircraft propulsion integration.
• Experience taking propulsion systems through development, ground testing, flight testing, and production.
• Strong understanding of propulsion performance, thermal management, vibration, structural interfaces, and aircraft integration.
• Experience working across multidisciplinary aircraft engineering teams.
• Ability to independently lead major propulsion architecture and integration decisions.
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Ability to travel approximately 15%.

Responsibilities

• Own propulsion architecture and configuration decisions across fixed-wing UAS platforms.
• Evaluate propulsion options based on performance, range, endurance, reliability, thermal constraints, acoustic signature, cost, and manufacturability.
• Lead integration of engines and electric motors with propellers, mounts, cooling systems, exhaust systems, electrical generation, batteries, and supporting hardware.
• Own integration of small turbine and jet propulsion systems, including inlet and exhaust configuration, fuel systems, thermal protection, structural interfaces, and thrust alignment.
• Define propulsion design margins, system requirements, and integration standards across aircraft programs.
• Work closely with structures and airframe teams to manage propulsion loads, vibration, thermal environments, and packaging constraints.
• Develop propulsion ground and flight test plans covering thrust, endurance, thermal performance, vibration, reliability, and failure modes.
• Support flight test campaigns and lead technical investigations related to propulsion anomalies or performance issues.
• Use test results to drive design changes, configuration maturity, and reliability improvements.
• Transition propulsion systems from prototype configurations into low-rate and scaled production.
• Ensure propulsion installations are manufacturable, maintainable, documented, and suitable for operational deployment.
• Partner with manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams on supplier qualification, production readiness, and rate scaling.
• Provide technical direction and mentorship to propulsion, mechanical, and integration engineers.
• Lead propulsion discussions during design reviews, failure investigations, supplier engagements, and customer technical reviews.
• Travel to test sites, production facilities, supplier locations, and customer locations as required.

Skills

Propulsion engineering

Unmanned aircraft propulsion

Fixed-wing propulsion integration

Systems integration

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Approach Venture in Fort Worth, Texas is seeking a Senior Propulsion Integration Engineer to own propulsion architecture across unmanned aircraft platforms. You will evaluate piston, electric, hybrid, and turbine propulsion options and lead integration of engines, motors, and power systems.

You will work with aerodynamics, structures, avionics, manufacturing, and flight test teams from early trade studies through production, traveling to sites as needed.