Senior Transmission Design Engineer

Astromecha; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) program

Flexible time-off policy

Flexible work environment

Job summary

Astromecha is seeking a Senior Transmission Design Engineer in San Francisco, California. The ideal candidate will lead the design and validation of high-speed power transmission systems, influencing the performance of turboelectric engines. The role requires a deep understanding of complex system dynamics and at least 5 years of experience in transmission design within aerospace or automotive. Benefits include comprehensive health insurance, a 401(k) program, and flexible working conditions.

Qualifications

• 5+ years hands-on experience with transmission design and/or test in automotive, aerospace, or power generation applications.
• Foundational knowledge of rotordynamics, fatigue effects, lubrication systems, and transmission failure modes.
• Familiarity with test instrumentation, data reduction, and anchoring analysis with experimental results.

Responsibilities

• Architect high-performance, high-speed geartrain systems.
• Perform gear design calculations including load capacity and bending fatigue.
• Conduct dynamic analysis of rotating systems including vibration and noise.
• Design and analyze custom shaft, bearing, housing, and lubrication system hardware.
• Specify qualification testing and analyze test data.

Skills

Transmission design

Rotordynamics

Lubrication systems

Dynamic analysis

Tools

KissSoft

Simcenter

Ansys

Job description

We’re a team of passionate engineers dedicated to advancing aerospace.

We’re generalists with specialist depth, united by a flat structure and a shared obsession with building things that work well. We move fast, stay pragmatic, and let engineering excellence speak louder than hierarchy.

If this sounds like how you operate, check out our job openings below.

Location

Employment Type

Full time

Department

Propulsion

Compensation

• $160K – $200K

ABOUT US:

Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company building a faster, more connected future. Our mission is to democratize high-speed flight by making supersonic travel flexible, accessible, and sustainable. We believe that rapid, on‑demand, point‑to‑point global mobility will become the new standard for moving people and goods across the planet. To achieve this, we are integrating our advanced airframe and engine technologies—which include Duality™, our proprietary dual‑use propulsion system—with a new flight operations model to make supersonic transport as efficient and economical as commercial air travel is today. In the near term, we are developing adaptable, high‑speed systems to close aircraft performance gaps for the United States government.

WHO WE ARE:

We’re a team of passionate engineers dedicated to advancing aerospace. We’re generalists with specialist depth, united by a flat structure and a shared obsession with building things that work well. We move fast, stay pragmatic, and let engineering excellence speak louder than hierarchy.

WHO YOU ARE:

Astro Mechanica is looking for a Senior Transmission Design Engineer to join our growing team. The ideal candidate is someone who has a deep‑stated understanding of complex system dynamics and can take full ownership of design and validation of high‑speed power transmission systems. Your work at Astro Mechanica will have a direct impact on the configuration and performance of the turboelectric adaptive jet engine.

In this role, your mission will be to architect, analyze, build, and test critical power transmission systems to power the electric propulsion systems. You will collaborate between propulsion, aircraft, and test teams to deliver optimized transmission hardware for the flight vehicle, proven through rigorous ground testing. You are attentive to detail and enjoy solving nuanced, interconnected problems.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Architect high-performance, high-speed geartrain systems with consideration for high-speed rotordynamic effects, lubrication, and highly integrated interfaces

Perform gear design calculations (AGMA/ISO standards), including load capacity, contact stress, and bending fatigue

Conduct dynamic analysis of rotating systems including vibration, critical speed, and noise, vibration, harshness (KissSoft, Simcenter, SMT MASTA, Ansys)

Design and analyze custom shaft, bearing, housing, and lubrication system hardware and establish subsystem testing to validate component performance

Specify qualification testing and analyze test data for hardware behavior and performance characterization

Improve and maintain the accuracy of simulation models through anchoring to historical and internally generated test data

Define instrumentation placement with understanding of measurement limitations

Diagnose hardware/software problems efficiently and perform corrective actions

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

5+ years hands‑on experience with transmission design and/or test in automotive, aerospace, or power generation applications

Foundational knowledge of rotordynamics, fatigue effects, lubrication systems, and transmission failure modes

Familiarity with test instrumentation, data reduction, and anchoring analysis with experimental results

Takes initiative for continuous improvement (not just completing assigned tasks)

Flexibility to work in a fast‑paced and high‑growth environment

Attentive to detail and maintain a high level of quality in all work

PERKS & BENEFITS:

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

401(k) program and transparent stock option plan

Self‑managed and flexible time‑off policy, including PTO, paid holidays, and sick time

Flexible work environment

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

At Astro Mechanica, we highly value in‑office work to foster collaboration and strengthen our company culture. We consider working in the office five days a week an essential part of the employee's role.

Astro Mechanica is an equal opportunity employer. We proudly recruit and hire a diverse workforce and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.