Propulsion Engineer — Own Flight-Ready Spacecraft Systems

Approach Venture; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity participation through stock

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) program

Paid time off

Opportunity to own propulsion hardware

Job summary

Approach Venture in Los Angeles, CA is seeking a Propulsion Engineer to lead the architecture, design, and integration of advanced spacecraft propulsion systems from concept through flight hardware. You will perform system analyses, develop layouts, create drawings, and guide testing across cryogenic and thermal systems while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams in a fast-paced startup environment.

This is a hands-on role with ownership across the full development lifecycle, requiring

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years designing, analyzing, building or testing propulsion, fluid, thermal or mechanical systems.
• Experience supporting propulsion development, integration, testing, or flight operations.
• Strong propulsion fundamentals, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, mechanical design.
• Proficiency with CAD and familiarity with machining and assembly.
• Experience with hand calculations and tools like Python, MATLAB, FEA/CFD.
• Strong GD&T, material selection, manufacturability and testing skills.
• Able to solve complex problems from first principles in a fast-paced startup.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture, design, and integration of spacecraft propulsion systems.
• Develop propulsion layouts, sizing, interfaces, and integration strategies.
• Design propulsion hardware including engines, thrusters, fluid systems and assemblies.
• Develop cryogenic propulsion system capabilities: storage, transfer, thermal management, boil-off mitigation.
• Perform propulsion, fluid, and thermal analyses for sizing and optimization.
• Create models, simulations, and analytical tools to guide design decisions.
• Produce engineering drawings, interfaces, procedures, and qualification plans.
• Plan, execute, and troubleshoot propulsion and fluid system testing.
• Analyze data, identify root causes, implement improvements via iterative hardware development.
• Lead system safety evaluations and hazard analyses for propulsion and fluid systems.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, manufacturing and test teams.

Skills

Propulsion system design

CAD software

Hand calculations

Engineering analysis tools

GD&T

First-principles thinking

Startup environment adaptability

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering

Tools

Python

MATLAB

FEA/CFD tools

Job description

Approach Venture in Los Angeles, CA is seeking a Propulsion Engineer to lead the architecture, design, and integration of advanced spacecraft propulsion systems from concept through flight hardware. You will perform system analyses, develop layouts, create drawings, and guide testing across cryogenic and thermal systems while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams in a fast-paced startup environment.

This is a hands-on role with ownership across the full development lifecycle, requiring