Propulsion Mechanical Engineer — Electric Pumps & Rotating Machinery

Hop Aero; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Healthcare

Direct mentorship with founders

Significant technical ownership

Fast upward mobility

Job summary

Hop Aero is recruiting a Propulsion Mechanical Engineer to own the development of electric propellant pumps (e-pumps) and high-speed rotating machinery for our rocket propulsion systems. You will take hardware from early architecture through design, manufacturing, test, and flight, while shaping mechanical interfaces within the propulsion stack.

You will work cross-functionally with propulsion, fluids, avionics, software, and manufacturing teams in a fast-moving hardware startup environment,

Qualifications

• 3–6 years of experience in centrifugal pumps or turbomachinery.
• Experience taking hardware from analysis to testing.
• Ability to work with machine shops and suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the responsible engineer for electric propellant pumps and high-speed rotating machinery.
• Own pump development from architecture through design, manufacturing, integration, and test.
• Design pump components including impellers, inducers, volutes, housings, shafts, bearings, and seals.
• Plan, instrument, and execute electric-pump development testing.
• Define mechanical, fluid, electrical interfaces with engine and vehicle teams.
• Work in person at the shop in Orange, CA and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Centrifugal pumps

Rotating machinery

Turbomachinery

Mechanical design

Pump hydraulics

CAD

Test & measurement

Vibration analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Hands-on hardware

Tools

CAD

FEA

Job description

Hop Aero is recruiting a Propulsion Mechanical Engineer to own the development of electric propellant pumps (e-pumps) and high-speed rotating machinery for our rocket propulsion systems. You will take hardware from early architecture through design, manufacturing, test, and flight, while shaping mechanical interfaces within the propulsion stack.

You will work cross-functionally with propulsion, fluids, avionics, software, and manufacturing teams in a fast-moving hardware startup environment,