Principal Propulsion Engineer (R6453)

About the role

Responsibilities

• Own the design of propulsion components and subsystems from concept through production release
• Develop and maintain high-quality CAD models, detailed drawings, and assemblies using Siemens NX with fully applied GD&T
• Write and enforce propulsion design standards and contribute to company-wide design best practices
• Collaborate closely with the machine shop, production team, and technicians to support builds, resolve non-conformances, and drive iterative improvements
• Develop initial work instructions, assembly guidance, and design documentation for repeatability and scalability
• Ensure designs are practical, manufacturable, and cost-effective, with strong understanding of machining, tolerances, materials, and assembly workflows
• Apply engineering analysis and judgment (e.g., hand calcs, GFSSP, ANSYS, FEA, REFPROP) to support sizing, load cases, and design validation
• Support configuration management, BOM control, and change processes using Teamcenter or equivalent PLM
• Participate in design reviews, interface control working groups, and root cause investigations
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
• 7+ years of experience in mechanical design for aerospace, with direct propulsion hardware experience preferred
• Expert-level proficiency in CAD modeling and drawing creation (NX preferred) and application of GD&T
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally with production, machine shop personnel, and technicians to solve real-time hardware issues
• Familiarity with design for manufacturing, including machining processes, surface modeling, stack-up analysis, and fabrication limitations
• Hands-on experience developing assembly work instructions, troubleshooting build issues, and implementing hardware-driven design changes
• Experience with configuration management, PLM systems (Teamcenter), and BOM structure
• U.S. Citizenship or ability to comply with ITAR requirements; Ability to obtain Secret clearance
• Experience with GFSSP, REFPROP, ANSYS, FEA, or other mechanical and thermal analysis tools
• Ability to write Python scripts for design automation, data analysis, or simulation support
• Proficient in interface control and tolerance stack-up analysis for complex assemblies
• Knowledge of fastening methods and joint design for high-vibration, aerospace environments
• Familiarity with high-temperature materials and design practices for thermally stressed components
• Prior experience designing hardware for internal combustion, turbine, or rocket propulsion systems, particularly in development or test environments
• M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline