V

Venus Aerospace

Develops hypersonic propulsion for terrestrial transport

Principal Propulsion Engineer - Propellant & Pressure Management

Full-Time
No salary listed
Expert
Bachelor's, Master's
Houston, TX, USA+1 moreMore locations: Oceanside, CA, USA
HybridHybrid work from Oceanside; travel to Houston HQ approximately three weeks per year, with additional trips possible.
Aerospace EngineeringPropulsion

About the job

Requirements
  • At least 10 years of aerospace vehicle and engine systems engineering or design experience.
  • A bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering.
  • Systems engineering and operational experience.
  • Experience working on multidisciplinary project teams.
  • Knowledge of standard aerospace materials used in propulsion system designs for high mechanical and thermal loads.
  • Knowledge of aerospace fluid-system component and fluid-connection specifications.
  • Experience in mechanical and fluid systems design, structural and thermal design and analysis, engine testing and hot-fire data analysis, hands-on propulsion-system assembly and testing, complex computer-aided design modeling, design for manufacturing, and first-order thermodynamic trades for rapid system comparisons.
  • At least 5 years of computer-aided design experience, particularly with large assemblies.
  • Experience with one or more of NX, SolidWorks, ANSYS Mechanical, CFX, STAR-CCM+, MATLAB, Python, and Microsoft Visio.
  • Ability to work effectively in a hybrid in-person and remote environment in Oceanside, California.
  • Must meet U.S. export-control requirements, as a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual, or person eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.
Responsibilities
  • Support design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing of propulsion subsystems and full-up stage tests.
  • Generate computer-aided design models of components and engine systems.
  • Design, model, and analyze engine fluid systems, and work with the propulsion components team to identify commercial off-the-shelf or custom fluid-system components.
  • Generate piping and instrumentation diagrams of engine systems.
  • Develop and execute test plans and analyze test results.
  • Apply systems engineering to generate engine balances, engine sizing and requirements, understand engine cycles, and trade off cycle efficiencies.
  • Use engine piping and instrumentation diagrams to generate fully detailed computer-aided design models of engine assemblies.
  • Use agile methodology to break complex projects into daily and weekly actionable tasks.
  • Design and analyze tanks, supporting tank structures, and Propellant & Pressure Management systems.
  • Work with vehicle engineering and test teams to satisfy engine-system design requirements and communicate engine-system test requirements.
  • Work with outside vendors and the in-house procurement team to select and source engine and Propellant & Pressure Management system components.
Desired Qualifications
  • A master's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering.
  • Experience with Rotating Detonation Rocket Engines or Rotating Detonation Engines.
  • Experience working with mass- and volume-constrained systems.
  • Project management or leadership experience.
  • Familiarity with agile methods.
  • A strong background in systems engineering for engine or Propellant & Pressure Management systems.
  • Engine or engine-component testing experience.
  • Familiarity with SMC-S-016, NASA STD-5012, AIAA S-080A-2018, and ANSI/ISA 5.1 standards.
  • Experience developing and standardizing design, analysis, and testing processes.

About the company

V

Venus Aerospace

View
cbWebsite

Venus Aerospace focuses on making hypersonic travel possible for terrestrial use, aiming to enable one-hour global transport. The core product is a cost-effective hypersonic engine designed to power aircraft capable of extremely high speeds. The engine technology is developed to be sold or licensed to aircraft manufacturers or airline operators, generating revenue through B2B sales. Unlike others in the field, Venus emphasizes affordability and practicality, backed by a team with strong rocket science and engineering backgrounds. The goal is to shorten travel times globally while improving safety and transforming how people and goods move around the world.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

Series B

Total Funding

$114.8M

Headquarters

Houston, Texas

Founded

2020

Get referred to Venus Aerospace

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • July 8, 2026 Series B raised $91 million from Mercury Fund and strategic investors.
  • Texas Space Commission funded the new Houston Spaceport test stand with a $4 million grant.
  • CycloKinetics chose Venus in September 2026 for Air Force-backed fuel testing.

What critics are saying

  • Venus still needs 6-15 minute burns; its longest reported fire lasted 32 seconds.
  • Defense pivot risks stranded passenger-hypersonic ambitions and narrows customer demand to Pentagon programs.
  • One failure to scale RDRE cooling, manufacturing, or qualification kills acquisition and production timelines.

What makes Venus Aerospace unique

  • Flight-proven RDRE technology gave Venus a May 2025 first hypersonic propulsion flight.
  • Lockheed Martin Ventures and Lockheed Martin signed a July 21, 2026 propulsion agreement.
  • September 10, 2026 Houston Spaceport test stand expands high-thrust RDRE validation capacity.

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

Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Unlimited Paid Time Off
  • Flexible Work Hours
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • Stock Options
  • Professional Development Budget

Growth & Insights and Company News

6 month growth

-1%

1 year growth

-4%

2 year growth

-4%
InnovationMap
Oct 28th, 2026
5 Houston deep tech startups pushing the boundaries of their industries.

5 Houston deep tech startups pushing the boundaries of their industries. Oct 28, 2026, 12:30 pm Houston has long been at the forefront of innovation, from NASA's Johnson Space Center to its startup ecosystem using technology to disrupt industries. As part of the 2026 Houston Innovation Awards, its Deep Tech Business category will honor an innovative startup providing technology solutions based on substantial scientific or engineering challenges, including those in the AI, robotics and space sectors. Five deep tech companies have been named finalists for the 2026 award. Casimir. Battery tech startup Casimir develops semiconductor chips that produce continuous electrical power straight from the quantum vacuum, without the need for a battery, cord or external charge source. The company is targeting commercialization for its first-generation MicroSparc chip by 2028. Harold "Sonny" White founded Casimir in 2023 after nearly two decades at NASA. The company emerged from stealth with a $12 million seed round in 2026. It was also awarded an STTR Phase I contract from the U.S. Space Force's SpaceWERX to support the development of the company's solid-state generator for potential use by the Department of the Air Force earlier this year. FocisAI. Artificial intelligence startup FocisAI helps refinery owner-operators unlock actionable insights from 3D scans and images. FocisAI was founded by CEO Tyler Wooten, COO Colin Snell and CTO Kyle Snell in 2026. It is a member of Greentown Labs and launched a seed round in September, which is expected to close by the end of the year, according to the company's application. It has rolled out 10 pilot programs and is looking to move into recurring, facility-scale deployments and scale its team in Houston this year. Machine Saver Inc. Industrial tech startup Machine Saver Inc. builds wireless and wired vibration and proximity sensors to tell heavy industry when a machine is about to fail. The company's technology runs on an 8-plus-year battery life and helps operators reduce downtime, improve maintenance and extend equipment life. Machine Saver was founded by CEO Colton Bach and Quentin Bach in 2013. Its customers and partners include Houston Methodist, Blue Bell, Genemco, as well as energy and heavy industry, food and beverage, and cold chain companies, according to its application. The company is raising a Series A. Square Robot. Energytech startup Square Robot develops and operates submersible inspection robotics that inspect aboveground storage tanks while they remain in service. The robots reduce downtime and costs, improve worker safety and limit hydrocarbon emissions. Square Robot launched its Houston office in 2019 and closed a Series B in 2025. It plans to complete its first U.S. Navy demonstrator tank in November and is also developing real-time inspection software. Venus Aerospace. Spacetech company Venus Aerospace is developing a high-thrust rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) that replaces the subsonic combustion used in conventional rocket engines. The RDRE is a compact, simpler engine that can deliver up to 15 percent greater efficiency for defense and space applications. It completed its first U.S. flight test of the engine last summer. Venus Aerospace was founded in 2020 by CEO Cassie Duggleby and CTO Andrew Duggleby. It raised a $20 million Series A in 2022 and $42 million Series A2 in 2025. It closed a $91 million Series B earlier this year and expanded its leadership team. The company is working toward longer-duration and higher-thrust testing and advancing its flight program.

PR Newswire
Sep 1st, 2026
CycloKinetics selects Venus Aerospace to test CycloRP Under Air force-backed program.

CycloKinetics selects Venus Aerospace to test CycloRP Under Air force-backed program. Sep 01, 2026, 09:00 ET Initial Hot-Fire Testing Successfully Demonstrated the Next-Generation Drop-In Rocket Propellant in Venus' Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine SALT LAKE CITY and HOUSTON, Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Today, CycloKinetics, Inc. announced that it has selected Venus Aerospace and its rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) technology to test CycloRP fuel, a drop-in replacement for RP-1/RP-2. CycloKinetics, which produces drop-in propellants designed to work in existing engines without modification, has designed CycloRP, built for higher energy density and cleaner combustion, as a replacement for RP-1 and RP-2. The testing program is sponsored by the United States Air Force Research Laboratory and backed by the Department of War's Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering. Testing will happen in two rounds. The first, completed in July 2026, evaluated CycloRP's combustion performance in the RDRE and confirmed the fuel detonates successfully. The second will build on those results to assess CycloRP's performance as a coolant, circulating the fuel through the engine to help manage temperature, measured against the known cooling performance of RP-1/RP-2. Results from both rounds will feed into a fuller technical readout expected in early 2027. "We built CycloRP to be a true drop-in replacement, no engine redesign, no compromise on performance, and testing it in a live rotating detonation rocket engine, backed by the U.S. Air Force, is exactly the kind of real-world validation this technology needs," said Mukund Karanjikar, CEO and founder of CycloKinetics. "Our work with Venus Aerospace serves as a strong example of how domestically produced propellants can support the next generation of hardware, manufactured right here in the U.S." "Our flight-proven rotating detonation rocket engine is changing what's possible in propulsion. Efficient fuel is a critical piece of getting there," said Sassie Duggleby, Co-Founder and CEO of Venus Aerospace. "This testing gives the Air Force and CycloKinetics the chance to see how a domestically produced, drop-in propellant performs in real hot-fire testing, side by side with the fuels we know today. Testing like this is how we get to a different economics of space." This testing builds upon previous testing CycloKinetics and Venus conducted in June 2025 at Venus' Houston facility. This new program builds on that work and reflects continued momentum for both companies. Both companies plan to share updates once final testing has concluded. About CycloKinetics CycloKinetics, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is an advanced technology company developing high-performance, fully drop-in propellants and fuels for aerospace and defense applications. Its proprietary propellants are designed to outperform conventional propellants and fuels while integrating seamlessly into existing systems, enabling improved range, endurance, payload capacity, and overall mission performance. Its propellants are drop-in replacements for the current propellants and fuels which power turbine-powered platforms including Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) applications, long-range and attritable missiles, next-generation propulsion, space launch systems, and commercial jets. CycloKinetics produces its propellants domestically, supporting secure and rapidly scalable supply for defense and aerospace customers. Its industrial manufacturing facility in Salt Lake City became operational in 2025, with deliveries to customers already underway. The company's feedstock-flexible production process enables manufacturing to be optimized for locally available resources, strengthening supply chain resilience and supporting distributed and in-theater production capabilities. For more information, visit www.cyclokinetics.com About Venus Aerospace Venus Aerospace is building next-generation propulsion systems for defense, space, and future high-speed flight. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, Venus is developing flight-proven Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) technology designed to deliver greater efficiency, range, and scalability for defense and space missions. Venus' propulsion systems are designed for domestic manufacturing and mission flexibility across national security and aerospace applications. Venus is backed by Mercury Fund, Lockheed Martin Ventures, Prime Movers Lab, Airbus Ventures, Trousdale Ventures and others. To learn more, visit www.venusaero.com. SOURCE Venus Aerospace

Associated Press
Sep 1st, 2026
CycloKinetics selects Venus Aerospace to test drop-in rocket fuel under US Air Force programme

CycloKinetics has selected Venus Aerospace to test CycloRP, a drop-in replacement fuel for RP-1/RP-2 rocket propellants, using Venus' rotating detonation rocket engine technology. The testing programme is sponsored by the US Air Force Research Laboratory and backed by the Department of War's Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering. Initial hot-fire testing completed in July 2026 confirmed CycloRP detonates successfully in the RDRE. A second round will assess the fuel's performance as a coolant, with results expected in early 2027. CycloRP is designed for higher energy density and cleaner combustion whilst working in existing engines without modification. CycloKinetics produces the propellant domestically at its Salt Lake City facility, which became operational in 2025.

Vialynx Inc
Jul 21st, 2026
Lockheed Martin and Venus Aerospace collaborate to advance next-generation propulsion for long-range precision fires.

Lockheed Martin and Venus Aerospace collaborate to advance next-generation propulsion for long-range precision fires. Business · JUL 21, 2026 PR Newswire DALLAS, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Venus Aerospace announced a joint technology development agreement to evaluate and m... DALLAS, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Venus Aerospace announced a joint technology development agreement to evaluate and mature Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) technology for future long-range precision fires applications, accelerating the transition of advanced propulsion from flight demonstration to operational capability. The collaboration combines Venus Aerospace's flight-tested propulsion technology with Lockheed Martin's expertise in developing, integrating and rapidly fielding advanced defense systems. Together, the companies will assess how this emerging propulsion architecture could support next-generation precision fires capabilities that require greater range, speed and operational flexibility. THE BIG PICTURE As threats evolve and mission demands multiply, the U.S. Department of War is seeking technologies that deliver meaningful performance improvements while remaining affordable, manufacturable and scalable. By combining emerging propulsion technologies with proven launch systems, precision guidance and production expertise, Lockheed Martin continues to expand the pipeline of future capabilities available to the U.S. and its allies. WHY IT MATTERS * Rotating detonation propulsion could enable future precision fires systems to achieve significantly greater range and speed while remaining compatible with the Army's need for affordable, scalable production. * Unlike conventional rocket engines that rely on subsonic combustion, RDREs generate thrust through continuously traveling detonation waves. This approach has the potential to improve propulsion efficiency while reducing complexity, enabling systems to travel farther and respond faster to emerging threats. * The agreement enables Lockheed Martin to evaluate RDRE technology within the context of operational military requirements to transition the advanced propulsion concept from a subsystem demonstration environment into practical missile applications. * Lockheed Martin's expertise in system integration and advanced manufacturing allows advanced technologies to move more quickly from laboratory development into deployable defense solutions that can be produced at scale. * By working with innovative U.S. technology companies, Lockheed Martin is strengthening the nation's defense industrial base and helping accelerate advanced manufacturing capabilities critical to future readiness. EXPERT PERSPECTIVE * "Lockheed Martin is focused on rapidly delivering advanced capabilities that strengthen deterrence and provide decisive advantages for the warfighter," said Tim Cahill, president, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "Our collaboration with Venus Aerospace allows us to evaluate a promising propulsion technology and determine how it can be integrated into future precision fires solutions. Partnerships like this help accelerate innovation, reduce risk and rapidly advance from emerging technology to operational capability." * "Defense customers are asking for more than incremental gains from legacy propulsion," said Sassie Duggleby, co-founder and CEO of Venus Aerospace. "Our RDRE technology offers a different propulsion architecture for systems that need more range, more speed and a realistic path to production. This agreement with Lockheed Martin moves our breakthrough closer to real precision fires applications." About Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security(R) vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at Lockheedmartin.com. SOURCE Lockheed Martin Published by News Desk · WeeklyReviewer The WeeklyReviewer news desk monitors breaking developments around the clock - sourcing, verifying, and publishing real-time industry news across business, technology, politics, science, sports, and world affairs. Every story that comes through the Live Wire is reviewed for accuracy before publication, keeping our readers ahead of the curve without the noise.

MarketForecast
Jul 21st, 2026
LM and Venus Aerospace collaborate to advance next-gen propulsion for long-range precision fires.

LM and Venus Aerospace collaborate to advance next-gen propulsion for long-range precision fires. July 21, 2026 Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Venus Aerospace announced a joint technology development agreement to evaluate and mature Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) technology for future long-range precision fires applications, accelerating the transition of advanced propulsion from flight demonstration to operational capability. The collaboration combines Venus Aerospace's flight-tested propulsion technology with Lockheed Martin's expertise in developing, integrating and rapidly fielding advanced defense systems. Together, the companies will assess how this emerging propulsion architecture could support next-generation precision fires capabilities that require greater range, speed and operational flexibility. THE BIG PICTURE As threats evolve and mission demands multiply, the U.S. Department of War is seeking technologies that deliver meaningful performance improvements while remaining affordable, manufacturable and scalable. By combining emerging propulsion technologies with proven launch systems, precision guidance and production expertise, Lockheed Martin continues to expand the pipeline of future capabilities available to the U.S. and its allies. WHY IT MATTERS * Rotating detonation propulsion could enable future precision fires systems to achieve significantly greater range and speed while remaining compatible with the Army's need for affordable, scalable production. * Unlike conventional rocket engines that rely on subsonic combustion, RDREs generate thrust through continuously traveling detonation waves. This approach has the potential to improve propulsion efficiency while reducing complexity, enabling systems to travel farther and respond faster to emerging threats. * The agreement enables Lockheed Martin to evaluate RDRE technology within the context of operational military requirements to transition the advanced propulsion concept from a subsystem demonstration environment into practical missile applications. * Lockheed Martin's expertise in system integration and advanced manufacturing allows advanced technologies to move more quickly from laboratory development into deployable defense solutions that can be produced at scale. * By working with innovative U.S. technology companies, Lockheed Martin is strengthening the nation's defense industrial base and helping accelerate advanced manufacturing capabilities critical to future readiness. EXPERT PERSPECTIVE "Lockheed Martin is focused on rapidly delivering advanced capabilities that strengthen deterrence and provide decisive advantages for the warfighter," said Tim Cahill, president, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "Our collaboration with Venus Aerospace allows us to evaluate a promising propulsion technology and determine how it can be integrated into future precision fires solutions. Partnerships like this help accelerate innovation, reduce risk and rapidly advance from emerging technology to operational capability." "Defense customers are asking for more than incremental gains from legacy propulsion," said Sassie Duggleby, co-founder and CEO of Venus Aerospace. "Our RDRE technology offers a different propulsion architecture for systems that need more range, more speed and a realistic path to production. This agreement with Lockheed Martin moves our breakthrough closer to real precision fires applications."