Fluids and Propulsion Test Engineer

Trueanomalyinc; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401K

Parental leave

Job summary

True Anomaly, located in Long Beach, CA, is looking for highly motivated Propulsion & Fluids Test Engineers to lead the design, planning, and execution of test campaigns for spacecraft propulsion and fluid systems. You will work in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment with various teams to ensure hardware meets specifications.

The ideal candidates will hold a relevant bachelor's degree and have extensive experience in propulsion and fluid systems testing, along with strong communication and leadership skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, chemical engineering, or related technical discipline.
• Years of relevant experience in propulsion or fluid systems test engineering.
• Knowledge of propulsion and fluid system test methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead test strategies for propulsion and fluid system programs.
• Author and review propulsion and fluids test documentation.
• Analyze complex propulsion and fluid system test data and resolve anomalies.

Skills

Propulsion and fluid system test methodologies

Data analysis

System engineering

Failure analysis

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 Propulsion & Fluids 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 1: $85,000-$105,000
• Test Engineer 2: $100,000-$120,000
• Test Engineer 3: $125,000-$155,000
• Senior Test Engineer: $140,000-$200,000

Equity + Benefits

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

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.

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.