Sr. Propulsion Engineer

Venusaero; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Stock options

Medical benefits (dental & vision)

Flex‑Friday schedule

Unlimited PTO

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Venus Aerospace is seeking a Senior Propulsion Engineer to design, analyze, and develop propulsion hardware from parts to engine and PPMS systems. You will take concepts to flight-ready hardware in a fast-paced environment.

Ideal candidates bring multi-disciplinary expertise across mechanical and fluid systems, engine testing, and DFx CAD modeling, with strong communication skills and experience in aerospace materials and standards.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of aerospace vehicle and engine systems engineering/design experience.
• 3+ years of CAD experience, particularly with large assemblies.
• Systems engineering and operational experience.
• Experience working on multidisciplinary project teams.
• Knowledge of aerospace materials used in propulsion systems.
• Knowledge of aerospace fluid systems component and fluid connections specifications.
• Experience with design & analysis tools such as NX / SolidWorks, ANSYS mechanical, CFX / StarCCM+, Matlab / Python, GFSSP, Microsoft Visio.
• Strong communication skills to collaborate in a fast-paced environment.
• Master’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering.
• Experience with RDREs or RDEs.
• Project management/leadership.
• Familiarity with Agile methods.
• Strong background in systems engineering for engine or PPMS systems.
• Engine and/or engine component testing.
• Familiarity with standards such as SMC‑S‑016, NASA STD‑5012, AIAA S‑080A‑2018.
• Experience developing and standardizing processes for design, analysis, and testing.

Responsibilities

• Support design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing of propulsion parts and assemblies.
• Generate CAD models of components and engine systems.
• Model fluid networks; identify suitable components; work with suppliers.
• Generate P&ID’s of engine systems.
• Develop and execute test plans; analyze results.
• Apply systems engineering to engine balances, sizing, and cycle trade-offs.
• Use P&IDs to create detailed CAD models of engine assemblies.
• Work with agile methods to break projects into actionable tasks.
• Design and analyze tanks and PPMS structures.
• Collaborate with vehicle engineering and test teams to meet requirements.
• Coordinate with external vendors and procurement to source components.

Skills

Aerospace propulsion engineering

Systems engineering experience

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Strong communication skills

Aerospace materials knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering

Master’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

ANSYS Mechanical

CFX/StarCCM+

MATLAB/Python

GFSSP

Microsoft Visio

Job description

Who We Are

Venus Aerospace is revolutionizing rocket engine propulsion. With the first generational leap in rocket engine technology since Apollo, our proprietary Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine and Venus Detonation Ramjets deliver historic efficiency and performance across aerospace applications. We are building the next generation of propulsion platforms that enable breakthrough capabilities in space, defense, and commercial high-speed flight. Our team thrives on solving the toughest engineering challenges and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in aerospace. At Venus, we’re looking for bold engineers and innovators who want to make history and redefine the future of propulsion.

The Role

Sr. Propulsion Engineer

As a Senior Propulsion Engineer, you will be involved in the design, analysis, and development of propulsion hardware from piece parts to engine and/or Propellant & Pressure Management (PPMS) systems. You will be responsible for taking designs from concepts to flight maturity hardware. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter and self‑motivated individual who is comfortable working in a fast‑paced and dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Support design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing of propulsion piece parts and assemblies
• Generate CAD models of components and engine systems
• Fluid network modeling, analysis & design: design and analysis engine fluid systems, identify COTS components for fluid systems, work with suppliers to source components.
• Generate P&ID’s of engine systems
• Develop and execute test plans, analyze test results
• Systems engineering experience focusing on generating engine balances, engine sizing and requirements, technical understanding of various engine cycles, and trading cycle efficiencies of various engine cycles
• Use engine P&IDs to generate fully detailed CAD models of engine assemblies
• Use agile methodology to break down complex projects into daily and weekly actionable tasks
• Design and analyze tanks and supporting tank structures and PPMS
• Work with vehicle engineering and test teams to satisfy engine systems design requirements and communicate engine systems test requirements
• Work with outside vendors and in‑house procurement team to select and source components for engine and PPMS systems

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be a multi-disciplinary engineer with a diverse set of skills and experience in some or most of these fields of expertise: mechanical and fluid systems designs, structural/thermal design & analysis, engine testing & hotfire data analysis, hands‑on experience with assembling & testing propulsion systems, generating complex CAD models & designing for manufacturing (DFM), and excellent communication & people skills.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of aerospace vehicle and engine systems engineering/design experience
• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering
• 3+ years of CAD experience, particularly working with large assemblies
• Systems engineering and operational experience
• Experience working on multidisciplinary project teams
• Knowledge of standard aerospace materials used in designs of propulsion systems for high mechanical and thermal loads
• Knowledge of aerospace fluid systems component and fluid connections specifications
• Experience in some of the design & analysis tools such as NX / SolidWorks, ANSYS mechanical, CFX / StarCCM+, Matlab / Python, GFSSP, Microsoft Visio
• Strong communication skills to effectively collaborate in a fast-paced work environment

• Master’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering
• Experience with RDREs or RDEs
• Project management/leadership
• Familiarity with Agile methods
• Strong background in systems engineering for engine or PPMS systems
• Engine and/or engine component testing
• Familiarity with standards such as SMC‑S‑016, NASA STD‑5012, AIAA S‑080A‑2018
• Experience developing and standardizing processes for design, analysis, and testing

Location

This is a full-time salaried position working onsite at our headquarters located on the Ellington Air Field property in Houston, Texas.

Benefits

Venus Aerospace employee benefits include a 401(k) plan, stock options, and medical benefits, including dental and vision. We have a flex‑Friday flexible schedule, unlimited PTO, and receive professional development opportunities.

ITAR Requirements

This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be able to meet ITAR requirements (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State).

Equal Opportunity Employer

Venus Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation, please email [e-mail] or call [phone]. This email and phone number were created exclusively to assist job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Messages or any other purposes, such as following up on an application, third party staffing agencies, website technical issues, or any other issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response. Messages will be returned within five business days.
For additional information about our Equal Opportunity Employment Policy, please visit our EEOP page.