Staff Propulsion Engineer

Menlo Ventures; Laguna Beach (CA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision benefits

401K and Parental Leave

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

True Anomaly in Laguna Beach, California, is seeking a Staff Propulsion Development Engineer responsible for designing, building, and testing propulsion systems, including flight systems and ground test campaigns. The role requires 10+ years of experience in launch or space vehicles and offers a competitive salary range.

The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a background in fluid systems, and a passion for the space industry, contributing to innovative solutions in space exploration.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience in Launch or Space Vehicles.
• Experience with stage systems, rocket engines, and flight valves.
• Experience in propulsion test including hot-fire and pressure testing.
• Ability to lead a team in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, and optimize propulsion systems for advanced satellites.
• Collaborate with different teams to validate designs against mission requirements.
• Contribute to improving design efficiency and manufacturability.

Skills

Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Stage systems

Rocket engines

Propulsion test experience

Fluid system design

Leadership in a multidisciplinary team

Excellent communication skills

Passion for space industry

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Job description

A new space race has begun. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build innovative technology that solves the next generation of engineering, manufacturing, and operational challenges for space security and sustainability.

OUR MISSION

The peaceful use of space is essential for continued prosperity on Earth—from communications and finance to navigation and logistics. True Anomaly builds innovative technology at the intersection of spacecraft, software, and AI to enhance the capabilities of the U.S., its allies, and commercial partners. We safeguard global security by ensuring space access and sustainability for all.

OUR VALUES

• Be the offset. We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity
• What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results
• It’s the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together

YOUR MISSION

As a Staff Propulsion Development Engineer at True Anomaly, you will be responsible for design, build, and test of multiple propulsion systems including flight systems and ground test campaigns in the development of our spacecraft. You will be a technical expert for the Propulsion team providing knowledge and mentorship to other engineers. This is an opportunity to design and develop our next generation vehicles, shaping the future of space exploration from the ground up.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the design, analysis, and optimization of propulsion systems and components for advanced satellites, ensuring they meet performance and reliability requirements.
• Work propulsion and other spacecraft subsystems from concept to flight.
• Review models and drawings from top level down to piece parts as needed.
• Work collaboratively with structural, mechanical, thermal, and avionics teams to validate designs and ensure compliance with mission requirements.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives to enhance design efficiency, manufacturability, and system performance.
• Present content to internal and external customers.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 10+ years of professional experience in Launch or Space Vehicles.
• Demonstrated experience with stage systems, rocket engines, flight valves, and/or detailed fluid system architecture and analysis.
• Propulsion test experience including hot-fire or pressure testing, vehicle-level propulsion checkouts, and propellant loading.
• Fluid system design and analysis including pressurization system sizing, water hammer analysis, pressure budgets, FMECAs, and FDIR architecture.
• Demonstrated ability to work and lead a multidisciplinary team of engineers in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Passion for the space industry.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• 10+ years professional experience in development and production of space systems.
• 5+ years project leadership experience.
• Valve and/or propellant tank design, analysis, and manufacturing experience.
• Experience in or exposure to mechanical design for propulsion systems, mechanisms, and/or optical payloads.
• Track record of innovative problem-solving in complex mechanical designs.
• Experience working in a startup or similarly dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with full vehicle lifecycle from concept through production.

COMPENSATION

• Base Salary: $155,000-$215,000
• Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to maintain or obtain TS//SCI clearance
• Work Location— This is a fully onsite role. Candidates must be based in or able to commute to our Denver office daily.
• Travel— employees can expect to travel up to 20% to our Long Beach factory and to vendor sites.
• Work environment—the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
• Physical demands—the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

This position will be open until it is successfully filled.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a 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.

True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us.