Senior Propulsion Engineer, Launch Vehicles

Airbus Ventures; El Segundo, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 181,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health insurance

Dental & Vision

Retirement plans

Disability insurance

Job summary

CesiumAstro is seeking a Staff Propulsion Engineer to lead the design, analysis, and development of launch vehicle structures, interfaces, and payload accommodations. You will perform structural and thermal analyses and guide test programs to optimize designs in a fast-paced startup setting.

The role requires 8+ years in aerospace, deep experience with Ansys and MATLAB, and strong collaboration across engineering teams to deliver flight-ready hardware. Excellent communication is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of industry experience in aerospace design and analysis.
• Expertise in Ansys tools: Mechanical, Explicit Dynamics (LS-Dyna), Linear and Nonlinear Eigenvalue Buckling, Harmonic Response, and Random Vibrations.
• Proficiency in MATLAB for programming, data analysis, and optimization.
• Proficiency in CAD tools (SolidWorks, NX).
• Strong foundation in systems engineering principles, requirements flowdown, and integration.
• Hands‑on experience with hardware development, testing, and qualification.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with close attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, analysis, and development of launch vehicle structures, stage interfaces, and payload accommodations.
• Perform static and transient structural and thermal analysis of LV components and systems under operational loads.
• Develop and execute test programs, analyze experimental data, and apply findings to optimize designs.
• Prepare CAD models for FEA analysis and manufacturing.
• Generate technical documentation, including reports, specifications, and contributions to PDRs and CDRs.
• Collaborate across mechanical, aerospace, and controls engineering teams to deliver flight-ready systems.
• Mentor junior and senior engineers to build technical understanding and professional development.
• Participate in mission operations, anomaly investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Ansys Mechanical

LS-Dyna

Eigenvalue Buckling

MATLAB

SolidWorks

NX

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

SolidWorks

NX

Job description

CesiumAstro is seeking a Staff Propulsion Engineer to lead the design, analysis, and development of launch vehicle structures, interfaces, and payload accommodations. You will perform structural and thermal analyses and guide test programs to optimize designs in a fast-paced startup setting.

The role requires 8+ years in aerospace, deep experience with Ansys and MATLAB, and strong collaboration across engineering teams to deliver flight-ready hardware. Excellent communication is essential.