E01-M01 Senior Propulsion Engineer

Start Date: Immediate 

JHNA, CTSi, and EXPANSIA have come together to form a Defense Technology platform named Aether Aerospace focused on delivering high-impact technologies, technology-enabled services and advanced manufacturing solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense and related national security customers. Backed by Falfurrias Management Partners, the platform brings together deep domain expertise across Army, Navy, and Air Force and Space Force programs, digital engineering, systems integration, and specialized manufacturing capabilities.  

The combined organization operates as a multi-entity aerospace and defense technology and tech-enabled services and manufacturing enterprise positioned for scalable growth, operational excellence, and long-term value creation. 

OVERVIEW 

Full-time/Permanent Employee  
Location: Dayton, OH (Travel: Up to 30% within continental United States) 

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

Clearance: Active TS/SCI Clearance 
Education and Years of Experience: Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited university and 5+ years of demonstrable experience in the design, testing, or evaluation of propulsion systems or fluid mechanical systems.

Formal education or training in the following propulsion-related topics:  
• Thermodynamics, with an emphasis on thermal and chemical equilibrium  

• Stoichiometry  

• Quasi-one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) compressible flow  

• Basic rocket nozzle design theory  

• Structural mechanics 

• Classical mechanic

• Demonstrable proficiency in scientific computing for mechanical or aerospace engineering analyses using one or more programming languages (e.g., C, C++, Fortran, Python, MATLAB). 

PREFERRED ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited university, with an emphasis on chemical rocket propulsion.  

• Recent TS/SCI eligibility.  

• Eight (8) or more years of professional experience in the design, testing, or evaluation of propulsion systems, with an emphasis on liquid rocket engines or solid rocket motors.  

• Professional experience utilizing propulsion databases maintained by JANNAF.  

• Proven capability using engineering software to analyze the performance of chemical propellants (e.g., NASA's Chemical Equilibrium with Applications (CEA)).  

• Professional experience applying the following propulsion and fluid mechanics topics:  

• Fluid measurement instrumentation (e.g., pressure transducers, flow meters, thermocouples)  

• Combustion of liquid and solid propellants  

• Performance analysis of chemical propellants  

• For solid rocket motors: igniter design, propellant grain design, and structural analysis of propellant grains and rocket cases  

• For liquid rocket engines: interpretation of propulsion system flow diagrams, injector design, feed systems, coolant systems, and identification and management of pressure losses  

• Professional experience collaborating with other engineers to assess total vehicle performance with respect to each subsystem.