Lead Propulsion Systems Development Engineer

Astra
United States
Workplace: OnsiteFull timeUSD 200,000 - 240,000 annuallyFunction: Administration & Executive AssistanceExperience: 10+ yearsEducation: bachelorsSkills: ["Technical ownership","Cross-functional problem solving","First-principles analysis","Technical leadership","Mentoring engineers"]

Own the technical integration of a turbopump-fed liquid rocket engine onto Astra’s launch vehicle stage. Lead propulsion system requirements and interface control through development design reviews, technical closure, and qualification evidence. Perform first-principles propulsion analysis and system modeling, correlate models with hot-fire data, and plan/execute engine and stage hot-fire campaigns to resolve anomalies and reach flight readiness. Coordinate across test, avionics, GNC, manufacturing, suppliers, and launch operations.

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FursaFursa
Astra
Astra
1 month ago

Lead Propulsion Systems Development Engineer

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Last checked: 12 hours agoStatus: Live

Job Summary

Own the technical integration of a turbopump-fed liquid rocket engine onto Astra’s launch vehicle stage. Lead propulsion system requirements and interface control through development design reviews, technical closure, and qualification evidence. Perform first-principles propulsion analysis and system modeling, correlate models with hot-fire data, and plan/execute engine and stage hot-fire campaigns to resolve anomalies and reach flight readiness. Coordinate across test, avionics, GNC, manufacturing, suppliers, and launch operations.
Location: United States
Workplace: Onsite
Employment Type: Full time
Job Function: Administration & Executive Assistance

Key Responsibilities

  • •Own the engine-to-stage integration plan, including mechanical, fluid, electrical, software, controls, thermal, operational, and safety interfaces.
  • •Develop, maintain, and verify propulsion system requirements, interface control documents, verification plans, and technical closure criteria.
  • •Lead and organize propulsion system design reviews through Astra’s development process and drive technical closure of engine-to-stage interfaces.
  • •Perform propulsion performance analysis and system modeling for turbopump-driven liquid propellant rocket engines and integrated launch vehicle stages, including correlation with test data.
  • •Plan, execute, and analyze engine and stage propulsion hot-fire test campaigns, including root-cause investigations for transients, controls performance, health, and system margins.

Pay and Benefits

Salary: USD 200,000 - 240,000 annually
Equity and Bonus:Equity
Perks:Health InsuranceVisionDental401k

Key Requirements

  • •10+ years of hands-on experience in rocket propulsion, launch vehicle systems, propulsion test, engine development, or closely related high-performance aerospace hardware.
  • •Strong understanding of liquid propulsion system architecture (tanks, feed systems, valves, pressurization, chilldown, purge systems, ignition, sequencing, and ground operations).
  • •Experience managing requirements, interface control documents, verification plans, design reviews, test readiness reviews, and qualification evidence.
  • •Ability to perform first-principles propulsion analysis and system modeling using tools such as Python, MATLAB, Simulink, NPSS, or similar engineering tools.
  • •Experience analyzing hot-fire test data to drive design decisions, resolve anomalies, and support qualification closure.
Experience:10+ yearsRocket propulsionLaunch vehiclesAerospacePropulsion testLiquid propulsionHot-fire testing
Education:Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline
Skills:Technical ownershipCross-functional problem solvingFirst-principles analysisTechnical leadershipMentoring engineers
Tech Stack:PythonMATLABSimulinkNPSS

Company Brief

Astra
Develops and launches small orbital rockets and space systems to provide rapid, cost-effective access to space for commercial and government customers, focusing on responsive launch services and satellite deployment.
Industry: Space Technology
Company Size: Large (251 to 1,000 employees)
Growth: Public Company
Valuation: Public Company (Market Cap in USD)
Funding: IPO / Publicly Listed
Headquarters: Alameda, United States
Founded: 2016
WebsiteLinkedIn