Full-Time

Senior Propulsion Design Engineer

Astro Mechanica

Astro Mechanica

51-200 employees

Designs and sells high-efficiency jet engines

Compensation Overview

$150k - $225k/yr

+ Stock options

San Francisco, CA, USA

In Person

Five days in the office per week are essential.

Category
Aerospace Engineering (1)
Required Skills
Data Analysis
FEM/FEA

Get referred to Astro Mechanica

See people who can refer or advise you

Requirements
  • At least 7 years of hands-on experience with fluidic and mechanical systems and propulsion systems.
  • Proficiency in solid, surface, and sheet metal computer-aided design modeling using Siemens NX.
  • Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, precision measurement, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing.
  • Understanding of propulsion systems, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and turbomachinery.
  • Experience with data acquisition, instrumentation, and power electronics.
  • Ability to take initiative for continuous improvement.
  • Flexibility to work in a fast-paced environment.
  • Attention to detail and ability to maintain a high level of quality in all work.
Responsibilities
  • Ideate on design trade studies while considering system-level impacts.
  • Complete detailed design and support structural, thermal, and fluid analyses.
  • Present design reviews and solicit feedback from stakeholders.
  • Assemble prototypes firsthand, design complementary tooling, and establish work instructions.
  • Conduct hardware tests and analyze data to verify requirements and performance metrics.
  • Diagnose hardware problems efficiently and determine corrective actions.

Astro Mechanica designs, develops, and sells highly efficient jet engines for commercial airlines, private jets, and military clients. Its engines convert fuel into thrust through advanced propulsion with emphasis on engine-airframe integration and long-term maintenance contracts to sustain high efficiency. It differentiates itself with a flat, collaborative engineering culture and a focus on delivering the world's most efficient jet engine alongside ongoing service agreements, rather than relying mainly on upfront sales. Its goal is to make air travel faster, farther, and more efficient, redefining how time and space are experienced in aviation.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

Seed

Total Funding

$130K

Headquarters

San Francisco, California

Founded

2021

Get referred to Astro Mechanica

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • United Airlines Ventures invested on August 20, 2025, validating airline demand.
  • Astro Mechanica reportedly raised $27.1 million in April 2025 for hardware validation.
  • Axios reported a $250 million Series B raise on July 15, 2026, signaling scale-up.

What critics are saying

  • Certification work runs through EASA Part 21-G and Part 21-J until end-2027.
  • The first subscale prototype is not expected until 2029, stretching execution risk.
  • A missed 2026 engine-in-air milestone would leave Astro Mechanica trapped in R&D.

What makes Astro Mechanica unique

  • Astro Mechanica's Duality engine targets efficient operation from takeoff to Mach 3.
  • Helix's 2026 motors give Astro Mechanica unusual electric propulsion density.
  • Integrated airframe-and-engine design supports transpacific supersonic travel, not incremental gains.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

401(k) program and transparent stock option plan

Self-managed and flexible time-off policy, including PTO, paid holidays, and sick time

Flexible work environment

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

-2%

1 year growth

-6%

2 year growth

-17%
The Engineer
Dec 1st, 2025
UK's Helix powers supersonic startup Astro Mechanica

UK's Helix powers supersonic startup Astro Mechanica. UK motor manufacturer Helix is partnering with California startup Astro Mechanica to provide electric motors for the latter's supersonic engine. Astro Mechanica's Duality engine is a hybrid propulsion unit designed to improve the fuel efficiency of supersonic flight. A turbogenerator uses a gas turbine to generate electricity via two motors, which power the four Helix SPX242-94 motors in the propulsors that control the fan and compressor. According to Helix, this layout allows the engine to operate like a turbofan at subsonic speeds and a turbojet at lower supersonic speeds, transitioning to a ramjet at very high supersonic speeds. Combined with Astro Mechanica's advanced airframe design, the Duality engine is claimed to be capable of producing speeds in excess of Mach 3, with the platform's fuel efficiency set to enable transpacific supersonic travel for the first time. "We are incredibly proud that our electric motors are powering Duality given its potential to reshape aviation and aerospace," said Derek Jordanou-Bailey, Aerospace chief engineer at Helix. "For decades, Helix has worked at the very cutting-edge of electric powertrain technology and are now a critical enabler in electrification journey of many high-performance sectors. Astro Mechanica's engine shows that our unrivalled power density stands to completely transform the engineering and economics of whole industries." The four Helix SPX242-94 radial flux motors that currently power Astro Mechanica's fourth-generation prototype are capable of 400kW of peak power with a maximum torque of 470Nm. On a continuous basis, they can output 300kW of power and 286Nm of torque. Helix is also designing custom motors for the fifth-generation propulsion system. The new motors are expected to output 900kW of continuous power in either generator or propulsion modes. Peak power is 950kW operating at up to 20,000rpm with a maximum torque capability of 575Nm. The new motor isolation system is also designed for extreme-altitude operation.

FinSMEs
Sep 1st, 2025
Astromech: Ben Lamm, George Church's $30M AI Venture

Ben Lamm and Harvard's George Church have launched Astromech, an AI company, raising $30 million, as per SEC filings. This venture builds on their collaboration at Colossal Biosciences. Lamm's history of securing capital is evident, with Colossal raising over $225 million. Astromech's funding positions it among well-capitalized early AI entrants, reflecting Lamm's knack for attracting investment in ambitious science and technology ventures.

Assembly Magazine
Aug 21st, 2025
United Airlines Ventures Backs Astro Mechanica's Supersonic Engine Design

CHICAGO - United Airlines Ventures (UAV), the venture capital arm of United Airlines, has invested in Astro Mechanica, an aerospace startup developing advanced propulsion and airframe technologies aimed at making supersonic flight economically viable.

Associated Press
Aug 20th, 2025
United Airlines Ventures Invests in Astro Mechanica

United Airlines Ventures (UAV) has invested in aerospace startup Astro Mechanica, which is developing an adaptive propulsion system for supersonic flight. Astro Mechanica's Duality™ engine uses a hybrid electric architecture to optimize performance across various speeds, aiming for efficient transpacific supersonic travel. Initially targeting military applications, the technology will later be adapted for commercial use. UAV, established in 2021, focuses on innovative aviation technologies.

Alumni Ventures
Oct 15th, 2024
Astro Mechanica Revolutionizes Air and Space Travel

Alumni Ventures has invested in Astro Mechanica, which is testing engines for future trans-Pacific flight demonstrations. The company's propulsion system also offers a cost-effective solution for space travel by potentially replacing the first stage of traditional rockets. This dual-purpose technology positions Astro Mechanica as a significant player in both aviation and space industries. AV Senior Associate Drew Wandzilak highlighted the system's potential to reduce costs and increase speed as transformative.