Propulsion Engineer

What you'll do

• Own propulsion engineering for hypersonic vehicles, from early concept trades through to integrated, test-proven flight hardware.
• Develop and maintain propulsion performance models and use them in vehicle-level trade studies, mission analysis, and design decisions.
• Define propulsion system requirements, interfaces, and margins with the Systems, Aerodynamics, Aerothermal, Structures, and GNC teams.
• Lead how the propulsion system is integrated into the vehicle, including mechanical, thermal, and electrical interfaces and how they affect vehicle performance.
• Plan, run, and analyse propulsion test campaigns, from component-level tests through to integrated system tests. Work hands-on with test facilities and suppliers.
• Correlate test data with models, and feed the results back into design and performance predictions.
• Support CFD and analysis of internal flows and combustion-related phenomena where needed, working with the simulation teams.
• Manage propulsion suppliers and subcontractors technically, including specifications, design reviews, and acceptance testing.
• Put safe test operations and hazard analysis in place for propulsion activities, working with the HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) and Quality teams.
• Document designs, analyses, test procedures, and results to ensure traceability and configuration control.

Who you are

• A hands-on Propulsion Engineer with experience taking propulsion hardware or systems through analysis, test, and integration.
• Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering (or related discipline); a postgraduate qualification in propulsion, combustion, or thermofluids is a plus.
• Strong grounding in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and propulsion system performance.
• Experience planning and running propulsion or combustion tests, including instrumentation and data analysis.
• Programming skills (e.g. Python or MATLAB) for performance modelling, data processing, and automation. Experience with CFD tools (e.g. Ansys Fluent, STAR-CCM+, or similar) is an advantage.
• Experience working with suppliers and test facilities in aerospace or defence programmes is a strong advantage.
• Comfortable making sound engineering judgements with incomplete data in fast-moving, prototype-heavy environments.

What we offer

• A mission driven environment with the opportunity to work on one of Europe’s most consequential defence challenges, with direct impact on sovereign capability and security.
• Daily collaboration with top experts across engineering, operations, and defence, with real opportunity to learn from the best, contribute, and grow.
• High ownership and autonomy; no time tracking, no micromanagement, just clear objectives and accountability for outcomes.
• A fast paced environment where good ideas are implemented quickly, and feedback from test and flight drives real decisions.
• A culture that values clarity, integrity, and excellence, and supports people who take initiative and push boundaries responsibly.
• Competitive compensation and real share options aligned to responsibility and impact, not tenure or hierarchy.