{"id":2772364,"url":"https://alion.io/job/liquidpiston-skunkwerks-engineer-liquidpiston-liquidpiston","title":"Skunkwerks Engineer - LiquidPiston - LiquidPiston","company":{"id":4382700,"name":"LiquidPiston","domain":"liquidpiston.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/liquidpiston","size_band":"201-500","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"JazzHR","truth_index":null},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":null,"employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Suffield, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":73000,"max_usd":171000,"period":"year","method":"role_country_seniority_unknown","sample_n":14270},"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"SolidWorks","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-17T06:50:51Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-17","last_verified_at":"2026-10-21T05:22:59Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":3,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":3},"description":"Skunkwerks Engineer - LiquidPiston\nThis role is fully onsite in Suffield, CT, five days per week.\nWhy LiquidPiston?\nAt LiquidPiston, you won’t be one engineer among hundreds working on a small piece of an established product. You’ll be part of a lean engineering team working on technology that is still being invented. Your work can move quickly from an idea to a drawing, from a drawing to a prototype, and from a prototype to a running engine. You’ll see the results of your engineering decisions firsthand and have the opportunity to influence the direction of the technology.\nThe problems are difficult. The timelines are ambitious. The answers aren’t always obvious. That’s exactly what makes the work exciting. If you enjoy figuring out why something failed, building a better solution, testing it, and trying again, you’ll fit right in.\nAbout LiquidPiston\nLiquidPiston, Inc. is a technology startup reinventing the internal combustion engine through a patented thermodynamic cycle and novel rotary architecture. Our compact, high-efficiency engines are being developed for demanding applications across defense, aerospace, and commercial markets.\nAs part of the LiquidPiston team, you’ll work alongside engineers, technicians, and technical leaders who are pushing the boundaries of propulsion technology. This is an opportunity to work on something fundamentally different - not simply optimize an existing engine but help develop an entirely new approach to engine design.\nPosition Overview\nLiquidPiston is seeking a hands-on, detail-oriented Engine Design & Development Engineer to join our core Skunkworks team. This is a highly hands-on engineering role for someone who wants to be close to the hardware and involved throughout the development process. You’ll contribute to the design and development of rotary and piston engine components, taking ideas from concept and CAD through prototyping, testing, failure analysis, and redesign.\nYou won’t be handing off your designs and waiting months to see what happens. You’ll work directly with the people building and testing the hardware, learn from what happens on the test stand, and use that information to make the next iteration better.\nKey Responsibilities\nDesign and develop critical engine components.\nDevelop detailed CAD models and engineering drawings using SolidWorks or similar CAD platforms.\nConduct structural, thermal and analysis to evaluate component strength, durability, and performance.\nSupport prototype builds and work directly with assembly technicians and manufacturing partners.\nParticipate hands-on in engine assembly, troubleshooting, teardown, and development activities.\nParticipate in design reviews, failure investigations, root-cause analysis, and interpretation of test results.\nUse test data and real-world hardware feedback to drive iterative design improvements.\nApply DFM and DFA principles to create practical, manufacturable designs.\nCollaborate closely with manufacturing, testing, controls, quality, and other engineering teams to solve problems and keep development moving.\nBalance multiple engineering priorities and adapt quickly as testing and development priorities change.\nTake ownership of problems from initial concept through prototype, test, failure analysis, and final solution.\n Required QualificationsBachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.\nProficiency with CAD software; SolidWorks preferred, with CATIA, NX, or similar experience also considered.\nExperience performing FEA for structural, stress, and thermal analysis of engine components.\nProficiency with GD&T and metrology tools.\n Understanding of engine durability testing and failure analysis methods.\nExperience with engine prototype development and validation.\nExperience with engine assembly techniques and processes.\nStrong understanding of design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA).\nUnderstanding of engine design standards, engineering principles, and best practices.\nDemonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional engineering environment.\nExperience with machining processes and manufacturing requirements.\nAbility to manage multiple priorities and move quickly from problem identification to practical solutions.\nPreferred QualificationsStrong foundation in materials science and material selection for high-performance engine components.\nKnowledge of vibration analysis and NVH principles.\nExperience with lubrication system design, oil flow, and bearing analysis.\nUnderstanding of cooling system design and thermal management.\nExperience with intake and exhaust system design.\nExperience with engine dynamometer testing and test data interpretation.\nExperience working in an R&D, startup, skunkworks, or highly iterative product development environment.\nHands-on experience troubleshooting mechanical systems and developing solutions based on test results.\nWhat You’ll ExperienceWork on unconventional engine technology that challenges traditional approaches to internal combustion.\nSee your designs become physical hardware and running engines.\nWork directly with experienced engineers and technicians rather than being siloed into a narrow function.\nSolve challenging problems where there may not be an established playbook.\nHave a meaningful voice in design decisions and technical direction.\nMove quickly through the design-build-test-learn cycle.\nBuild technology with applications across defense, aerospace, and commercial markets.\nGrow with a company where your contributions can have a visible and immediate impact.\nBenefitsFlexible PTO to encourage work-life balance and personal well-being\nComprehensive healthcare Comprehensive medical and voluntary dental, and vision coverage - you choose what works best for you.\nEquity participation: RSUs for all permanent employees\n 401(k) with match: 100% up to 3%, plus 50% match for 3-5% range\nGrowth opportunities: Mentorship, training, and leadership development\nOur CultureAt LiquidPiston, we challenge convention and solve hard problems. We move fast, think boldly, and iterate quickly. Our team thrives on collaboration, creativity, and resilience. We take calculated risks and believe that every setback is a steppingstone toward breakthrough innovation.\nEqual Opportunity Employer\nLiquidPiston, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.\nAll offers of employment at LiquidPiston are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug screening.","description_format":"text","description_chars":6771,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Equity","Growth opportunities"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Drones & UAVs"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-17T06:50:51Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":95,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.946,"p_room":1,"age_days":2,"expected_fill_days":27,"reasons":["conf:0","urgency","win:early"],"computed_at":"2026-10-20T05:45:00Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/liquidpiston-skunkwerks-engineer-liquidpiston-liquidpiston","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/liquidpiston-skunkwerks-engineer-liquidpiston-liquidpiston.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-21T05:35:38Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":8209,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-22T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":4382700},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=4382700"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fliquidpiston-skunkwerks-engineer-liquidpiston-liquidpiston"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fliquidpiston-skunkwerks-engineer-liquidpiston-liquidpiston"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fliquidpiston-skunkwerks-engineer-liquidpiston-liquidpiston"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/liquidpiston-skunkwerks-engineer-liquidpiston-liquidpiston\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fliquidpiston-skunkwerks-engineer-liquidpiston-liquidpiston"}]}