Spacecraft Fluids Engineer - High-Impact Propulsion Systems

Gengalactic; El Segundo, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Vision benefits

Dental benefits

PTO

401k

Stock options

Performance incentives

Job summary

Gengalactic in El Segundo, CA is seeking a hands-on Fluids Engineer to design and analyze critical fluid systems for spacecraft vehicles and propulsion hardware. You will own fluid system architecture, run simulations, and contribute across design, test, and data review.

The role demands strong fundamentals in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and cryogenics, plus practical experience with Python, MATLAB, CAD, and CFD/FEA. Startup environment a plus.

Qualifications

• BS in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, or a related technical field.
• 2+ years of experience designing, analyzing, building, or testing fluid, propulsion, thermal, mechanical, or cryogenic systems.
• Strong fundamentals in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, compressible flow, mechanical design, and structural load paths.
• First-principles approach to problem solving even with incomplete or partial information.
• Hands-on experience architecting pressurized fluid systems, including tanks, valves, regulators, tubing, fittings, manifolds, seals, instrumentation, relief devices, and ground support equipment.
• Ability to perform practical engineering analysis spanning hand calculations, spreadsheets, Python, MATLAB, CAD, FEA, and CFD.
• Strong mechanical design skills, including CAD, drawing creation, tolerancing, material selection, manufacturability, assembly, and testability.
• Understanding of high-pressure systems, hazardous fluids, oxygen compatibility, hydrogen systems, leak testing, cleanliness, and safe test operations.
• Experience in a fast-paced startup environment or similar, with high agency, strong ownership, and willingness to work hands-on across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Own fluid system architecture, P&IDs, schematics, component sizing, and integration for spacecraft vehicles, propulsion systems, ground test hardware, and all associated hardware from engines to pumps and more.
• Support cryogenic fluid system development, including storage, transfer, thermal isolation, boiloff management, conditioning, chilldown, and integration with spacecraft or propulsion systems.
• Develop and maintain simulations, calculations, and models to guide design decisions.
• Perform fluid and thermal analyses, including pressurization, transient system behavior, heat transfer, boiloff, and more.
• Create drawings, interface definitions, assembly procedures, test procedures, and engineering documentation for fluid and propulsion hardware.
• Plan, execute, and troubleshoot testing of fluid and propulsion systems.
• Lead system safety assessments and hazard controls for fluid and propulsion systems.

Skills

Fluid mechanics

Thermodynamics

Heat transfer

Mechanical design

Pressurized fluids

Python

MATLAB

CAD

CFD

FEA

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace/Chemical Engineering

Tools

Python

MATLAB

CAD

FEA

CFD

Job description

Gengalactic in El Segundo, CA is seeking a hands-on Fluids Engineer to design and analyze critical fluid systems for spacecraft vehicles and propulsion hardware. You will own fluid system architecture, run simulations, and contribute across design, test, and data review.

The role demands strong fundamentals in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and cryogenics, plus practical experience with Python, MATLAB, CAD, and CFD/FEA. Startup environment a plus.