Propulsion Engineer

General Galactic; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

401k

Stock options

Job summary

General Galactic in Los Angeles is seeking a Propulsion Engineer to design and analyze critical propulsion and thrust systems. This role offers ownership of propulsion systems and the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology in a fast-paced environment.

Ideal candidates will have a BS in mechanical or aerospace engineering, 2+ years of experience, and strong skills in CAD, thermodynamics, and systems analysis.

Benefits include medical, vision, dental, PTO, 401k, and stock options.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience designing and analyzing propulsion systems.
• Experience in fast-paced startup environments.
• Strong ownership and hands-on skills across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Own propulsion system architecture and integration.
• Support cryogenic fluid system development.
• Develop simulations and calculations for design decisions.
• Create engineering documentation for fluid and propulsion hardware.
• Plan and execute testing of fluid and propulsion systems.
• Lead system safety assessments.

Skills

Mechanical design skills

Proficiency with CAD tools

Ability to perform practical engineering analysis

Cryogenic systems experience

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering

BS in Aerospace Engineering

BS in Chemical Engineering

Related technical field

Job description

General Galactic designs, builds, and flies advanced spacecraft that redefine what’s possible beyond Earth. Led by former SpaceX, Varda, Impulse, and Relativity engineers, our vision is to dominate cislunar space and build the railway to Mars – expanding access to high-energy orbits and enabling the next generation of missions along the way. Based in Los Angeles, California, we’re leveraging our paradigm-shifting water-based technology to reshape the space domain for good.

Job Description

As a Propulsion Engineer, you will work closely with a focused technical team to design and analyze critical propulsion and thrust systems for our product suite, including our Genesis architecture and more. You will have extreme ownership over your work, move quickly, and operate with high agency. As we grow, there will be opportunities to expand your role with the company.

This is a hands‑on engineering role for someone with experience using fundamentals in fluids, thermodynamics, heat transfer, mechanical design, cryogenics, and propulsion systems to design and analyze hardware. You will have the opportunity to own engines, thrusters, and fluid systems. You should be comfortable moving between first‑principles analysis, detailed mechanical design, hardware build, test operations, and post‑test data review.

Responsibilities may include:

• Own propulsion system architecture, sizing, and integration for spacecraft vehicles, ground test hardware, and all associated hardware
• Support cryogenic fluid system development, including storage, transfer, thermal isolation, boiloff management, conditioning, chilldown, and integration with spacecraft propulsion systems
• Develop and maintain simulations, calculations, and models to guide design decisions
• Create drawings, interface definitions, assembly procedures, test procedures, and engineering documentation for fluid and propulsion hardware
• Plan, execute, and troubleshoot testing of fluid and propulsion systems.
• Lead system safety assessments and hazard controls for fluid and propulsion systems

Requirements

Successful applicants should have most of the following:

• BS in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, or a related technical field
• 2+ years of experience designing, analyzing, building, or testing fluid, propulsion, thermal, mechanical, or cryogenic systems
• Demonstrated experience with propulsion system, development, integration, test, and/or on‑orbit operations
• High degree of proficiency with CAD tools and machining/assembly practices
• First‑principles approach to problem solving even with incomplete or partial information
• Ability to perform practical engineering analysis spanning hand calculations, spreadsheets, Python, MATLAB, FEA, and CFD
• Strong mechanical design skills, including CAD, drawing creation, tolerancing, material selection, manufacturability, assembly, and testability
• Experience in a fast‑paced startup environment or similar, with high agency, strong ownership, and willingness to work hands‑on across disciplines

Your salary and incentives will be determined individually on the basis of the following considerations: job‑related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Benefits include medical vision dental PTO 401k stock options.

This position requires access to information protected under US export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulations. As such, US person status (including US citizens, U.S. permanent residents, individuals granted U.S. asylum status, or individuals admitted in U.S. refugee status) is a required qualification for this position.

General Galactic Technologies Corporation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.