Liquid Propulsion Engineer

About the role

Voyager is an innovative space, defense, and national security technology company committed to advancing and delivering transformative, mission-critical solutions. We tackle the most complex challenges to unlock new frontiers for human progress, fortify national security, and protect critical assets to lead in the race for technological and operational superiority from ground to space.

Forge the Future: Join Voyager Technologies

The future belongs to those who build it. At Voyager Technologies, we're building technologies that protect lives, expand frontiers and prepare us for what's next. And we're doing that with people who are wired to solve, build, adapt and lead. These roles are not for the faint of heart. You'll help lay the foundation for humanity's future. Join a culture where innovation thrives, curiosity is rewarded, and impact is real. We're a company of doers, thinkers and builders, united by purpose and grounded in reality.

If you want to put your skills to work where the stakes are real and the mission is bigger than any one person, forge the future with Voyager.

The Liquid Propulsion Engineer is responsible for the design, development, analysis, integration, testing, and production support of liquid propulsion systems and hardware for aerospace, defense, and national security applications. The position reports to the Engineering Manager.

The position reports to the Engineering Manager and is part of the Engineering Department. Relocation assistance may be provided to qualified candidates to Mojave, CA or Long Beach, CA.

In this role, the essential functions are

• Design, develop, and support liquid propulsion systems, components, and subsystems from concept through qualification, production, and fielded operation.
• Perform propulsion engineering analyses and trade studies related to combustion, fluid flow, thermodynamics, heat transfer, pressure, loads, performance, and system sizing.
• Develop and maintain engineering models, calculations, analyses, drawings, specifications, interfaces, bills of materials, and other configuration-controlled technical documentation.
• Support the design and development of propulsion components and fluid systems, including combustion chambers, injectors, turbomachinery, valves, regulators, feed systems, tanks, manifolds, pressurization systems, and associated hardware as applicable.
• Support propulsion hardware integration, component testing, subsystem testing, qualification, acceptance testing, and hot-fire test activities; analyze test data and support troubleshooting and failure investigations.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, systems, software, materials, manufacturing, quality, test, and program teams to ensure propulsion hardware meets performance, reliability, safety, manufacturability, and schedule requirements.
• Participate in design reviews, technical planning, risk assessments, failure reviews, supplier interactions, and configuration management activities while clearly communicating technical findings and recommendations.
• Support manufacturing and production by resolving technical issues, evaluating nonconformances, developing engineering dispositions, and implementing design improvements based on analysis, testing, and lessons learned.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering field with 4 years of relevant professional experience OR Master's degree in a related engineering field with 2 years of relevant professional experience OR 8 years of relevant propulsion engineering experience in lieu of a degree.
• 4-10 years of professional experience in liquid propulsion, rocket propulsion, aerospace, defense, turbomachinery, fluid systems, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Demonstrated experience applying engineering fundamentals to the design, analysis, development, testing, or integration of propulsion systems or complex fluid and thermal systems.
• Working knowledge of propulsion fundamentals, including fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, combustion, pressure systems, fluid system design, and propulsion performance.
• Experience developing engineering analyses, models, calculations, technical reports, drawings, specifications, or other engineering documentation.
• Experience supporting hardware development, integration, testing, qualification, manufacturing, or production troubleshooting in an aerospace, defense, propulsion, or other high-reliability environment.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary engineering environment and communicate technical concepts, analysis results, risks, and recommendations to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance, if required for the assigned position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with liquid rocket propulsion systems, including cryogenic or storable propellants, pressure-fed or pump-fed architectures, injectors, combustion devices, turbopumps, valves, feed systems, or pressurization systems.
• Experience with propulsion analysis and simulation tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, Python, CFD, FEA, NPSS, or similar engineering tools, and experience with aerospace or defense standards and qualification testing.

Travel, Physical and/or Government Mandated Requirements

• Travel up to 10%, including the possibility of overnights, to support customers, suppliers, manufacturing operations, integration and test activities, program reviews, or other business needs.
• Ability to work in office, laboratory, manufacturing, test, and propulsion test environments and safely work around mechanical, fluid, pressure, thermal, and propulsion hardware as required.
• Certain positions may require eligibility for a U.S. Security Clearance and/or compliance with applicable export-control requirements.

Pay and benefits

The good faith base salary range for this role is $97,000-$218,000 at the time of this posting. Where you fall within the range depends on your experience, skills, and location. This range reflects base salary only and does not include benefits or bonus/incentive.

This range may be adjusted in the future.

Voyager offers a highly competitive total compensation package designed to support the well-being, growth, and success of our employees. Employees benefit from a flexible and comprehensive rewards program that supports both professional and personal well-being.

• Flexible Time Off (FTO), empowering employees to take the time they need to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families, with a significant portion of premiums covered by the company and many benefits paid at 100% for employees
• Flexible, affordable gym memberships with 12,700+ options nationwide, including 24 Hour Fitness, EoS Fitness, Crunch Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Blink Fitness, Chuze Fitness, and more
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 50% company match on contributions up to 8%, supporting long-term financial security
• Company wellness programs that support employee well-being
• Additional voluntary benefits and employee support resources
• The opportunity to work alongside a highly talented team in an innovative, mission-driven environment

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Parts 120-130) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730-774), applicants for this position must be a U.S. Person: a US Citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3). Applicants must be eligible to obtain any required export authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran

The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general content and requirements for performance of the job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work within the framework of this job description at any time without prior notice.

California pay range $97,000—$218,000 USD