Senior Turbomachinery Engineer - Designer

LEAP; Broomfield (CO); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity Program

401(k) retirement plan

Professional development stipend

Flexible time off

Remote work flexibility

Health benefits

Disability insurance

Job summary

LEAP in Colorado is seeking a Turbomachinery engineer to bring our rocket turbopump from concept to production, including 3D CAD models, fabrication drawings, and seals and bearings specifications. You will collaborate with analysis and fabrication teams to ensure manufacturability, reduced mass, and peak performance.

You will mentor junior engineers, define design requirements, support cold flow and hot fire tests, and work with fabrication to minimize tooling and integration risks while

Qualifications

• Mechanical, mechatronic or Aerospace engineering degree (Required)
• CAD software such as NX, CREO, or SolidWorks (Required)
• Turbine and Pump Mean Line design (Required)
• Demonstrated ability to work in fast-paced, high-accountability environments
• Strong communication and collaboration skills

Responsibilities

• Produce and rapidly iterate conceptual designs in CAD for pump and turbine components and assemblies, resulting in a converged turbopump conceptual architecture that is ready for preliminary design review (PDR) and downstream analysis, manufacturing, and test integration
• Prepare drawing packages & technical reports resulting in clear, release-ready documentation that supports manufacturing, quality, and test execution
• Identify and solve technical challenges with due speed preventing design, manufacturing, or test issues from becoming schedule or performance risks to the turbopump program
• Engage with more junior engineers across the team with mentorship, raising overall design quality, technical rigor, and consistency while accelerating the development of future turbomachinery technical leaders.
• Definition of design requirements with seals and bearings specifications ensuring reliable operation across thermal, pressure, and rotodynamic regimes while reducing risk during fabrication, assembly, and test
• Support the cold flow testing in the lab, hot fire testing on the test stand and integrated tests on vehicle enabling rapid issue identification, design closure, and validation of turbopump performance under representative operating conditions
• Work hand in hand with fabrication team on tooling and integrations, resulting in first-pass build success and reduced tooling, assembly, and integration risk
• Develop test plans, monitor test activities, and document test data, ensuring test objectives are met, results are traceable, and data can be used to validate designs and drive informed design decisions.
• Other duties as assigned [to be less than 12% of your total role responsibilities]

Skills

Turbopump design

Mentorship & leadership

Communication & collaboration

Education

Engineering degree (Mechanical, Mechatronic or Aerospace)

Tools

NX

CREO

SolidWorks

Job description

As our Turbomachinery engineer, you will play a pivotal role in bringing our rocket systems to life. This role will focus on taking our rocket turbopump from concept to production with detailed component and system level design including 3D CAD models, fabrication drawings, mean-line analysis, seals and bearings specifications. You will ensure that every integrated turbine and pump system is designed for manufacturability, minimal mass, and performance. Your designs, in close collaboration with the analysis and fabrication teams, will form the backbone of our rocket’s success.

Impacts and Outcomes

• Produce and rapidly iterate conceptual designs in CAD for pump and turbine components and assemblies, resulting in a converged turbopump conceptual architecture that is ready for preliminary design review (PDR) and downstream analysis, manufacturing, and test integration
• Prepare drawing packages & technical reports resulting in clear, release-ready documentation that supports manufacturing, quality, and test execution
• Identify and solve technical challenges with due speed preventing design, manufacturing, or test issues from becoming schedule or performance risks to the turbopump program
• Engage with more junior engineers across the team with mentorship, raising overall design quality, technical rigor, and consistency while accelerating the development of future turbomachinery technical leaders.
• Definition of design requirements with seals and bearings specifications ensuring reliable operation across thermal, pressure, and rotodynamic regimes while reducing risk during fabrication, assembly, and test
• Support the cold flow testing in the lab, hot fire testing on the test stand and integrated tests on vehicle enabling rapid issue identification, design closure, and validation of turbopump performance under representative operating conditions
• Work hand in hand with fabrication team on tooling and integrations, resulting in first-pass build success and reduced tooling, assembly, and integration risk
• Develop test plans, monitor test activities, and document test data, ensuring test objectives are met, results are traceable, and data can be used to validate designs and drive informed design decisions.
• Other duties as assigned [to be less than 12% of your total role responsibilities]

What You Bring to the Team

• Mechanical, mechatronic or Aerospace engineering degree (Required)
• CAD software such as NX, CREO, or Solidworks (Required)
• Turbine and Pump Mean Line design (Required)
• Demonstrated ability to work in fast-paced, high-accountability environments
• Strong communication and collaboration skills

  Bonus Points

  • Experience in high-growth, startup, or technically complex environments
  • Proven track record of pump, turbine or integrated turbopump for aerospace system

  Compensation

  Salary Range: $140,000 - $215,000

  The estimated salary range for this role reflects various compensation factors. The final offer depends on factors such as work experience, education, training, key skills, and business needs.

  In addition, LEAP provides a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, which includes:

  • Equity Program: Equity plan participation is available to all employees following an initial 90-day employment period and is performance-based. Equity allocations are determined on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed. Managers may make recommendations based on individual and team performance. All equity grants are subject to executive review and approval in accordance with the Company’s equity plan.
  • Retirement Planning: Save for the future with a 401(k) plan that includes competitive company matching.
  • Growth Opportunities: Take advantage of a professional development stipend to advance your skills and expertise.
  • Flexible Time Off: We encourage taking time off when you need it. Our policy includes unlimited PTO, generous holiday breaks, two week-long company winter shutdowns, and paid leave for family care, parental bonding, or personal health needs.
  • Remote Work Flexibility: Our team operates on a hybrid model. We expect you to work with your team for specific details on work location.
  • Health Benefits: LEAP provides comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage at minimal to no cost for employees. Coverage for dependents and HSA are also available.
  • Insurance Coverage: We cover basic life and long-term disability insurance, with options to add extra coverage to ensure peace of mind for you and your family.

  LEAP is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace in Colorado. Our team brings together exceptionally talented and diverse individuals who are pushing the boundaries of space access and logistics. We welcome all qualified applicants and provide equal consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. This includes individuals with a criminal history, in compliance with applicable regulations. We actively encourage applications from minorities, women, Veterans, and people with disabilities. At LEAP, we strive to create a supportive and welcoming environment throughout the hiring process. If you’re excited about making a real-world impact in space technology, we want to hear from you!