Propulsion Development Engineer II

Menlo Ventures; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision

401K

Paid holidays

Job summary

True Anomaly in Denver seeks a Propulsion Development Engineer to contribute to the development of a propulsion test facility. This entry-level role requires a Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical or Chemical Engineering and offers substantial growth opportunities within aerospace technology.

The ideal candidate will support tasks ranging from requirements documentation to test operations, providing a diverse experience in propulsion development. Compensation ranges from $90,000 to $130,000, with various benefits including health and dental coverage.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of professional experience in propulsion or test engineering.
• Exposure to pressure system design fundamentals.
• Eagerness to learn and take ownership of tasks.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of test stand requirements documentation.
• Assist in preparing trade studies evaluating facility options.
• Help with the oversight of fabricated hardware during assembly.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Basic familiarity with propulsion hardware

Proficiency in data analysis

3D CAD tool proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

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

As a Propulsion Development Engineer at True Anomaly, you will be an integral contributor to the buildout and early operations of our new Denver Front Range propulsion test facility. Working directly alongside our Propulsion Development and Test team, you will support the full arc of facility development — from requirements and trade studies through detailed design, fabrication oversight, installation, and commissioning, operations, and propulsion testing. This is an early-career role with broad exposure: on any given week you may be running analysis to support a trade study, reviewing vendor drawings, supporting a proof pressure test, or helping develop a test procedure. You will grow quickly, work on hardware that matters, and contribute to a propulsion test capability being built from the ground up.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Requirements & Trade Study Support

• Support the development and maintenance of test stand requirements documentation and requirements traceability matrices under the direction of senior engineers.
• Assist in the preparation and execution of trade studies evaluating facility infrastructure options, GSE configurations, and test stand design alternatives; compile data, build comparison matrices, and contribute to formal trade study reports.
• Research commercially available components, instrumentation systems, and facility equipment; summarize findings and support vendor engagement.
• Help to maintain documentation of the test stand configuration as requirements evolve and design decisions are made.

Design & Drawing Support

• Support the Senior Development Engineers in the development of CAD models and engineering drawings for test stand structures, fluid system components, and GSE hardware.
• Review vendor and supplier drawings for compliance with design requirements and interface specifications; work redlines and open actions to closure.
• Assist with P&ID development and markup, maintaining revision control and supporting design review preparation.
• Help develop fabrication packages and bill of materials for test stand hardware under senior engineer guidance.

Analysis & Verification

• Perform or support engineering calculations for pressure systems, including flow sizing, pressure drop analysis, proof and burst margin verification, and relief device sizing.
• Support structural analysis activities for test stand hardware, including load estimates and margin checks.
• Assist with requirements verification planning and maintain verification status matrices tracking compliance across facility systems.
• Support development and review of hazard analyses and facility safety documentation.

Fabrication, Installation & Commissioning Support

• Support procurement activities including preparation of purchase requisitions, review of supplier technical proposals, and tracking of long-lead hardware deliveries.
• Assist with oversight of fabricated hardware during build and assembly; document nonconformances and support disposition.
• Participate in installation and commissioning activities at the test facility site, including system walkdowns, installation verification, and acceptance testing.
• Assist with proof pressure testing, leak checks, and functional verification of installed systems; collect and reduce test data.

Test Operations Support

• Contribute to the development of test plans, test procedures, and data acquisition configurations for early test campaigns.
• Support test execution as a test stand operator or data monitor during facility verification and initial propulsion test campaigns.
• Assist with post-test data reduction, anomaly documentation, and test report preparation.
• Help maintain configuration control and as-built documentation throughout facility construction and commissioning.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 2–5 years of professional experience in propulsion, fluid systems, test engineering, or mechanical design for aerospace, defense, or high-reliability applications.
• Basic familiarity with propulsion or fluid system hardware including pressure vessels, valves, fittings, tubing, and instrumentation.
• Experience with 3D CAD tools (NX, SolidWorks, CATIA, or equivalent) and the ability to read and produce engineering drawings.
• Exposure to pressure system design fundamentals including proof, burst, and leak test requirements.
• Proficiency with data analysis and scripting tools (Python, MATLAB, or equivalent).
• Eagerness to learn, take ownership of assigned tasks, and contribute across a wide range of activities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to maintain accurate documentation and track open actions.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Hands‑on experience supporting propulsion or fluid system test campaigns including pressure testing, leak checking, or functional testing.
• Exposure to test stand or test facility hardware, GSE design, or ground support operations.
• Familiarity with P&ID development and interpretation.
• Experience with data acquisition systems or test instrumentation including pressure transducers, thermocouples, or flow meters.
• Exposure to hazardous fluid or propellant handling operations.
• Familiarity with relevant standards: ASME B31.3, MIL-STD, AIAA propulsion test standards, or NASA-STD equivalents.
• Internship or co‑op experience at a propulsion test facility, launch vehicle company, or defense contractor.
• Ability to obtain a DoD security clearance (Secret or above).

COMPENSATION

• Base Salary: $90,000 to $130,000
• 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 role will be fully onsite at either our Centennial, CO office location.
• 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.

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.