Propulsion Engineer

General Galactic; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Dental

PTO

401k

Stock options

Job summary

General Galactic Technologies Corporation is seeking a Propulsion Engineer to design and analyze propulsion and thrust systems for our Genesis architecture and beyond. You will own engines, thrusters, and fluid systems, moving between first-principles analysis and hands-on hardware work in a fast-paced startup.

You will develop simulations, perform critical analyses, and contribute across disciplines while growing with the team as the company expands its ambitious cislunar mission roadmap.

Qualifications

• BS in mechanical, aerospace, chemical engineering or related field.
• 2+ years in designing, analyzing, building, or testing fluid, propulsion, thermal, mechanical or cryogenic systems.
• Experience with propulsion system development, integration, test, and/or on-orbit operations.
• Proficient with CAD tools and machining/assembly practices.
• First-principles problem solving even with partial information.
• Ability to perform analyses using hand calculations, spreadsheets, Python, MATLAB, FEA, and CFD.
• Strong mechanical design skills including CAD, drawings, tolerancing, materials, manufacturability, assembly, testability.
• Experience in a fast-paced startup environment with high ownership and hands-on work across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Own propulsion system architecture, sizing, and integration for spacecraft vehicles and ground test hardware.
• Support cryogenic fluid system development including storage, transfer, thermal isolation, boiloff, conditioning, chilldown, and integration.
• 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.

Skills

First-principles problem solving

Hands-on across disciplines

Practical engineering analysis

Education

BS in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, or a related technical field

Tools

CAD

Python

MATLAB

FEA

CFD

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

• 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

Qualifications

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

Compensation & Benefits

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, and more.

Security & Export Control

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.