Propulsion Test Lead - Flexible Schedule & Stock Options

Venus Aerospace; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Stock options

Medical benefits (dental & vision)

Flex-Friday schedule

Unlimited PTO

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Venus Aerospace is seeking a Senior Test Operator in Houston to oversee propulsion and test stand activities, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable operations. You will coordinate campaigns across disciplines, monitor hardware, and drive continuous improvements to testing processes.

You’ll mentor the operations team, develop SOPs, and collaborate with propulsion, manufacturing, and technician teams to optimize test readiness and performance.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience in a hardware testing environment.
• Hands-on knowledge of test components including valves, actuators, switches, and sensors.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and detail-oriented skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office or equivalent software.
• Clear communication skills across comms devices while operating consoles.
• Ability to thrive in collaborative and self-driven work settings.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and execute test campaigns, including propulsion hot fires, structural, vibration, thermal testing, and more.
• Operate and monitor test stand systems, propulsion hardware, and instrumentation.
• Lead the execution of test procedures, ensuring compliance with engineering requirements and safety standards.
• Author, review, and refine detailed test procedures and analyze test data for accuracy and performance.
• Collaborate with technicians to troubleshoot instrumentation issues and improve reliability.
• Support setup, upgrades, maintenance, and breakdown of test stands to ensure readiness for future campaigns.
• Act as the key liaison between test, propulsion, manufacturing, and technician teams to ensure smooth test stand operations.
• Mentor the operations team in key technical and operational areas, including fluid flow, data acquisition, procedural development, safety practices, and operational excellence.
• Document processes and collaborate with the team to enhance and standardize Test Operator SOPs, with a focus on training and onboarding for new operators.
• Lead and execute specialized projects independently, ensuring progress without impacting team capacity or delaying ongoing activities.

Skills

Test stand operation

Instrumentation

Data acquisition

Troubleshooting

Safety compliance

Team collaboration

Tools

Valves

Pneumatic actuators/solenoids

Limit switches

Relief valves

Pressure transducers

Thermocouples

Pressure vessels

GUIs/HMIs

Data acquisition systems

NI hardware

Job description

Venus Aerospace is seeking a Senior Test Operator in Houston to oversee propulsion and test stand activities, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable operations. You will coordinate campaigns across disciplines, monitor hardware, and drive continuous improvements to testing processes.

You’ll mentor the operations team, develop SOPs, and collaborate with propulsion, manufacturing, and technician teams to optimize test readiness and performance.