Senior Staff Propulsion Test Engineer (R4380)

Responsibilities

• Support engine, hover, static, and integrated propulsion test campaigns for X-BAT including planning, execution, and post-test analysis.
• Advise on propulsion system readiness and define test objectives, test point development, build up approach, success criteria, and instrumentation requirements.
• Develop and review test procedures, hazard analyses, run cards, and safety documentation for high-energy test operations.
• Provide technical oversight during engine runs, hover tests, transition testing, and propulsion-autonomy integration events.
• Serve as a propulsion subject-matter expert during Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), Test Hazard Analyses (THAs), and Operational Risk Management (ORM) assessments.
• Support root-cause investigations related to propulsion performance, engine controls, thermal behavior, vibration, and integration issues.
• Partner with Autonomy and Avionics teams to evaluate propulsion-related interactions such as thrust control logic, response lags, fail-safes, and emergency behaviors.
• Collaborate with Instrumentation Engineering to ensure data quality, test post process analysis, reporting, timing, and fidelity across propulsion channels.
• Support field deployments, remote test sites, and intensive test cycles as required to meet program schedules.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in propulsion testing for jet engines, VTOL systems, unmanned aircraft, or developmental flight test programs.
• Demonstrated expertise executing and analyzing engine tests, hover/transition events, and integrated propulsion-airframe testing.
• Strong understanding of engine controls, FADEC systems, thrust measurement, thermal analysis, and vibration/loads behavior.
• Experience writing and reviewing high-energy test procedures, readiness documentation, and hazard analyses.
• Proven ability to operate safely and decisively in fast-paced test environments.
• Excellent communication skills and demonstrated performance in multidisciplinary engineering organizations.
• Ability to travel and support extended field test deployments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering.
• Experience with tail-sitter, VTOL, or thrust-vectoring propulsion systems.
• Background in autonomy-powered aircraft, propulsion-system modeling, or propulsion-flight-control integration.
• Familiarity with IRIG, PCM, instrumentation requirements, and high-rate telemetry data.
• Experience supporting complex investigations or leading propulsion technical review boards.
• Prior involvement in developmental or experimental flight test programs.
• Experience with compressed-air starts, engine-health monitoring systems, or high-temperature structural analysis.