Head of Propulsion (Founding Engineer) – Chemical Propulsion & High-Energy Systems
El Segundo, CA | On-site
Opportunity Summary
A venture-backed defense technology startup is developing advanced interceptor platforms designed to operate in extreme, high-speed environments. The team is building systems where propulsion performance directly determines mission success, requiring rapid impulse generation, precise control, and reliable operation under high pressure and thermal stress. This role serves as the founding leader for propulsion, owning the full architecture, design, and execution of chemical propulsion systems from first principles through testing and demonstration. You will define propulsion strategy, lead system trade studies, and build hardware that moves from concept to fully validated subsystems. This is a high-ownership role with direct impact on product direction and system performance.
About Us
We are an early-stage engineering team developing autonomous defense systems that integrate propulsion, sensing, and control into tightly coupled hardware platforms. The company operates at the intersection of aerospace and national security, with a focus on rapid iteration, real-world testing, and building mission-critical systems from the ground up.
Job Duties
- Own propulsion architecture across chemical propulsion systems, including gas generators, monopropellant and bipropellant systems, and hybrid approaches
- Lead design and development of high-energy propulsion hardware including combustion chambers, injectors, valves, and feed systems
- Define system requirements for thrust, impulse, response time, and thermal performance
- Model combustion processes, mass flow, pressure dynamics, and heat transfer across propulsion systems
- Evaluate tradeoffs across propulsion architectures to meet performance and integration constraints
- Design and validate high-pressure systems including tanks, regulators, and fluid handling components
- Plan and execute propulsion test campaigns including static fire, pressure, and thermal testing
- Develop test infrastructure, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems for propulsion validation
- Analyze test data to drive rapid iteration and performance improvements
- Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and controls teams to ensure full system integration
- Establish propulsion design standards, test processes, and documentation as the function scales
- Support hiring and build out the propulsion team over time
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field
- 5+ years of experience working with chemical propulsion systems or high-energy fluid systems
- Deep understanding of combustion, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and high-pressure system design
- Experience designing and testing propulsion hardware such as thrusters, gas generators, or rocket engines
- Strong modeling experience using tools such as CFD, CEA, MATLAB, or Python
- Hands-on experience with propulsion testing, including instrumentation and data analysis
- Ability to operate with high ownership in an early-stage, fast-paced environment
- U.S. citizenship required
Preferred Experience
- Experience with monopropellant, bipropellant, or hybrid propulsion systems
- Background in aerospace systems such as missiles, launch vehicles, or high-speed aircraft
- Experience leading propulsion development programs or small engineering teams
- Familiarity with environmental and qualification testing standards
- Experience with high-speed data acquisition, sensors, and test instrumentation
- Hands-on experience with machining, pressure systems, or test stand development
Why Join Us
- Equity participation and performance-based incentives
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents
- Paid parental leave and flexible PTO policy
- Access to a 401(k) retirement plan
- Opportunity to define and lead propulsion development for a mission-critical system from the ground up
Compensation Details
$140,000 - $190,000
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