Own development and integration of both small piston engines and micro turbojet propulsion systems, including engine selection, inlet/exhaust configuration, fuel and ignition architecture, thrust and power characterization, and ground/flight test campaigns tailored to each propulsion type. Develop and execute engine test plans on test stands and in-flight: power and torque mapping, BSFC characterization, endurance runs, vibration surveys, and altitude/temperature performance testing.
Lead engine calibration and tuning, including AFR targets, EGT management, ignition timing, and injector strategy on EFI-equipped powerplants; identify and mitigate single-injector maldistribution and other cylinder-to-cylinder variability. Design and analyze fuel systems—tanks, lines, pumps, filters, regulators, and fuel pressure management—across the full flight envelope, including negative-G and altitude effects. Investigate and root-cause propulsion anomalies (RPM collapse, lean events, misfires, mechanical failures); develop structured multi-phase test plans and drive corrective action.
Specify and qualify propellers in coordination with aerodynamics, balancing thrust, efficiency, ground clearance, acoustic signature, and vibration. Develop and maintain propulsion engineering documentation: interface control documents, test plans and reports, propulsion budgets (power, fuel burn, endurance), and configuration baselines. Partner with thermal engineering on engine cooling, exhaust routing, and heat rejection. Partner with electrical engineering on ECU integration, sensor selection, harnessing, and telemetry.
Interface with engine OEMs, fuel system vendors, and propeller manufacturers as the technical lead for propulsion procurement and qualification. Travel to test sites and customer locations to support propulsion test events and field troubleshooting. Perform other duties as directed
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering or a related field. 'U.S. Person' as defined by 22 CFR § 120.62 required due to ITAR regulations , which includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders), or protected individuals under asylee or refugee status 7+ years of experience in propulsion engineering small piston engines Deep working knowledge of internal combustion fundamentals: thermodynamic cycles, AFR, combustion, knock, ignition systems, and exhaust Hands-on experience designing and operating engine test stands, including dyno instrumentation, fuel flow measurement, EGT/CHT instrumentation, and data acquisition Experience with EFI Systems Experience with fuel system design across the full flight envelope including: altitude, attitude, and thermal effects on fuel delivery and pressure Experience running structured failure investigations (RCA, FMEA, FMECA or FTA) and translating findings into multi-phase test campaigns Proficiency in Python or MATLAB for engine data reduction, log analysis, and performance modeling Familiarity with propeller selection and matching for fixed-wing platforms Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail Strong communication and teamwork skills Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic startup environment