Propulsion & Energy Systems Engineer

Propulsion & High Energy Systems Engineer

Location:

San Francisco, CA

$/yr - $/yr

We are looking for a Propulsion and High-Energy Systems Engineer to own the development of the impulse-generation systems that power our first product, Hailstorm. This includes gas generators, micro-thrusters, solid propulsion elements, high-pressure systems, fast-acting valves, detonation-assisted dispersal systems, and high‑temperature/pressure fluid dynamics.

You will design, analyze, prototype, test, and iterate propulsion and dispersal hardware capable of producing extreme accelerations, high mass flow, and low latency response times.

You will work side‑by‑side with the founders, mechanical, electrical, and controls engineers. You will own the on‑vehicle high energy systems from concept to demonstration.

• Design/select compact propulsion and impulse systems: gas generators, cold‑gas thrusters, and solid micro‑motors.
• Model combustion, mass flow, thrust curves, chamber pressures, and heat transfer.
• Evaluate tradeoffs between solid, liquid, or other propulsion architectures.

• Design pressure vessels, regulators, burst disks, check valves, fast‑response actuators, and timing mechanisms.
• Simulate structural integrity under high Gs and perform empirical testing.
• Integrate sensors (pressure, temperature, vibration) for test instrumentation and feedback.

• Co‑design the systems responsible for deploying Wardstone’s kinetic interceptor solution.
• Model shock propagation, material acceleration, and high‑velocity ejecta characteristics.
• Work closely with the detonation/energetics engineer to integrate hybrid or explosive‑augmented systems.

• Use CFD, CEA, FEA, and custom simulation tools to evaluate propulsion behavior.
• Run data‑driven design cycles: test → instrument → analyze → redesign.
• Define requirements for Δv, rise time, thrust profiles, and thermal durability.

• Plan and execute high‑G tests, pressure tests, thermal tests, and impulse characterization.
• Work with external test ranges, explosive facilities, and instrumentation teams.
• Develop test fixtures, data acquisition setups, and high‑speed video capture systems.

• Collaborate with mechanical engineers on structures that withstand high impulse loads.
• Collaborate with electrical engineers on ignition, actuation, and safety interlocks.
• Collaborate with controls engineers on predictor models and impulse sequencing.

• B.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience with propulsion design, combustion, energetics, or high‑pressure systems.
• Strong modeling experience: CEA, CFD (OpenFOAM/ANSYS/COMSOL), MATLAB/Python, or equivalent.
• Hands‑on test experience: ignition, valves, tanks, pressure systems, or propulsion rigs.
• Deep understanding of flow, combustion, heat transfer, and structural limits.
• US CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED

• Experience with solid motors, gas generators, pyrotechnics, shaped charges, or hybrid propulsion.
• Experience designing hardware for missiles, UAVs, rockets, or aerospace systems.
• Exposure to MIL‑STD testing (thermal, vibration, shock, environmental).
• Experience with high‑speed DAQ, strain gauges, thermocouples, and high‑speed cameras.
• Hands‑on build experience: machining, pressure plumbing, test fixture design.