Sr. Propulsion Engineer

General Galactic; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace company seeks a Propulsion Engineer to develop critical propulsion technologies for upcoming spacecraft. You will work with experienced engineers on a range of projects, contributing to design, analysis, and testing of advanced propulsion systems. Ideal candidates will possess strong engineering backgrounds and experience in fast-paced environments.

Benefits

Benefits including stock options

Opportunities for role expansion

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in cradle-to-grave engineering.
• Demonstrated experience with propulsion system development.
• High degree of proficiency with CAD tools and practices.

Responsibilities

• Define system requirements for propulsion systems.
• Support the build and test of chemical and electrical propulsion systems.
• Develop performance modeling and simulation for propulsion systems.

Skills

Propulsion system

CAD tools

Engineering problem solving

Education

BS in aerospace or mechanical engineering

Job description

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This range is provided by General Galactic. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$130,000.00/yr - $200,000.00/yr

About General Galactic

General Galactic designs, develops, and builds advanced spacecraft for the most demanding missions. Led by former SpaceX, Varda, and Relativity engineers, our vision is to expand access to high-energy orbits across LEO, MEO, GEO, and cislunar space with our proprietary Genesis propulsion technology. Based in Los Angeles, California, we’re leveraging paradigm-shifting energy technology to reshape the space domain.

Job Description

You will work closely with the founders and technical team to develop critical technology for our products, including vehicle SN1 in early 2026. You’ll have extreme ownership over your work, move quickly, and operate with high agency. As we grow, there will be opportunities to expand your role with the company.

You will support propulsion system development, qualification, and flight-readiness for General Galactic. Scope of work could include design, analysis, testing, manufacturing, etc. of the integrated propulsion system. Responsibilities may be tailored to the candidate’s profile and could include:

• Own system requirements definition & interface definition and management
• Define structural, mechanical, environmental design and integration requirements and components including both flight and non-flight hardware
• Support the build and test of chemical and electrical propulsion systems
• Own development and maturation of technologies and capabilities needed to achieve a flight ready vehicle
• Work across domains such as structures, thermal, dynamics, mechanisms, etc.
• Develop and support hardware test campaigns and performance modeling/simulation

Requirements

Successful applicants should have most of the following:

• BS in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or similar degree
• 5+ years of experience in cradle-to-grave engineering hardware ownership, with preference for satellite and spacecraft experience. This can include time spent on rocketry/research teams or similar.
• Demonstrated experience with propulsion system, development, integration, test, and/or on-orbit operations
• High degree of proficiency with CAD tools and machining/assembly practices
• Experience in a fast-paced startup environment or similar
• Strong engineering background and first-principles approach to problem solving even with incomplete or partial information

Note: The seniority level of this position will be updated based on applicant background. Senior and Lead roles are available for this team.

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Your salary and incentives will be determined individually on the basis of the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base Range: $130,000 to $200,000/year + benefits + stock options plan

Very brief statements of fit/interest in this role are encouraged, please send to [e-mail].

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This position requires access to information protected under US export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulations. As such, US person status (including US citizens, U.S. permanent residents, individuals granted U.S. asylum status, or individuals admitted in U.S. refugee status) is a required qualification for this position.

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General Galactic Technologies Corporation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

• Industries

  Space Research and Technology

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