Senior Turbomachinery Engineer

About Us We are a small, fast-moving team building next-generation jet engines for aerospace and defense. Backed by leading investors and led by proven founders, we’re assembling a high-performance team to reinvent propulsion from the ground up. This is a rare chance to create genuinely new technology and to watch it go from a sketch on your screen to hardware that actually enters service. We design it, analyze it, build it, and test it, often in the same week. Senior Turbomachinery Engineer About the Role We're looking for a Senior Turbomachinery Engineer to take full ownership of compressor and turbine design and delivery. You'll drive architecture, run trades, build models, release hardware, and stand behind test data. This is not a narrow analysis role. You are responsible for real hardware, real performance, and real test results. Responsibilities Own aerodynamic, structural, and thermal design of assigned turbomachinery subsystems from concept through test. Lead design trades and stage-level optimization to hit aggressive performance, weight, and cost targets. Develop CFD, FEA, and rotordynamics models; know when to simplify and when to test. Work directly with manufacturing on DFM/DFA to ensure designs are buildable at scale. Plan and execute component and rig test campaigns; close the loop between predictions and data. Solve vibration, clearance, stress, heat transfer, and operability problems under schedule pressure. Mentor junior engineers and help establish turbomachinery design standards. Qualifications B.S. or higher in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent. 5+ years of industry experience in turbomachinery design for propulsion or high-performance rotating machinery. Demonstrated ownership of a component or subsystem from requirements through test. Working depth in at least two domains: aerodynamics, structural mechanics, heat transfer, rotordynamics, combustion, or performance modeling. Proven ability to release hardware to manufacturing and support build and test. Self-directed; you identify what needs to be done and drive it. Low ego, high standards, bias toward building and learning fast. Preferred Qualifications Direct experience with small gas turbines, turbojets, turbofans, or APUs. Experience supporting new product introduction or transitioning a design from prototype to production. Hands-on test cell, shop floor, or hardware troubleshooting experience. You'll thrive here if you: Own problems the moment you see them — and drive them to resolution regardless of whose area they touch Lead by example at every level, and check your ego at the door — the best idea wins, full stop Can prioritize ruthlessly when the list is longer than the day Believe that discipline and rigor are what create the freedom to move fast — not obstacles to it Joining a company this early is not for everyone — and the people who do their best work here tend to know exactly why they want it. What makes it exceptional: you won't be maintaining someone else's legacy. You'll help define the architecture from first principles, follow your work all the way to fielded hardware. You will operate with almost no layers between an idea and a decision. Real breadth, real ownership, real stakes. What's genuinely hard: ambiguity is the default, the intensity is real, and it carries startup risk. You'll often build the process before you can build the thing. Priorities shift as we learn. If that tradeoff sounds like exactly what you've been looking for, we want to hear from you. Compensation & Benefits The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offers may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and training, critical skills, and business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in most full-time offers. We offer comprehensive benefits for full-time employees, including: Premium Healthcare Coverage: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your eligible dependents Complete Protection: Full company-paid life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage Flexible Time Off: Open PTO policy plus 13 paid company holidays Family Support: 8 weeks of paid parental leave and comprehensive leave options Wellness Resources: Access to mental health services, Employee Assistance Program, and financial coaching Pre-Tax Benefits: Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), and commuter benefits Professional Growth: Development opportunities including mentorship and skill development Retirement Planning: 401(k) plan with company matching The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process. Equal Opportunity Employment We are an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We foster a culture of ownership, initiative, inclusion, and mutual respect. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, veterans, and those with disabilities to apply. If you're passionate about revolutionizing aerospace propulsion, we'd love to hear from you. Security & Export Control This position may require access to information protected under U.S. export control laws and regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Please note that any offer for employment may be conditioned on authorization to receive software or technology controlled under these U.S. export control laws and regulations without sponsorship for an export license. We participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.