Senior Propulsion Engineer – Secondary Air Systems

Senior Propulsion Engineer – Secondary Air Systems

Our client is an innovative aerospace company developing next-generation propulsion technology for high-performance flight. Working on advanced clean-sheet gas turbine systems, they offer engineers the opportunity to take ownership of critical propulsion technologies within a fast-paced, highly collaborative startup environment.

We're seeking a Senior Propulsion Engineer to lead the design and development of Secondary Air Systems for an advanced gas turbine engine. This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys working at the system level, balancing thermal management, engine performance, and multidisciplinary integration while helping shape a new propulsion platform from concept through testing and certification.

You’ll collaborate closely with aerodynamics, structures, thermal, mechanical design, and systems engineering teams to ensure the engine operates efficiently, reliably, and safely across all operating conditions.

• Lead the development of Secondary Air Systems for an advanced gas turbine engine.
• Own engine thermal management and secondary flow system performance.
• Develop, execute, and refine whole-engine flow network models to evaluate system performance.
• Analyse modelling and test data to improve thermal management strategies and overall engine performance.
• Work across multiple engineering disciplines to balance aerodynamic, thermal, structural, durability, and performance requirements.
• Develop engineering tools, automation, and multidisciplinary workflows that improve design efficiency.
• Support engine integration, hardware development, manufacturing, and testing activities throughout the product lifecycle.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience developing Secondary Air Systems for gas turbine or turbofan engines.
• Strong experience building and analysing whole-engine flow network models using tools such as Flow Simulator, Thermal Desktop, or equivalent.
• Experience correlating engine test data with thermal and flow models.
• Deep understanding of secondary air systems, seals, cooling flows, and engine thermal management.
• Ability to communicate complex system-level interactions across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Experience working with CAD to support engine integration activities.
• Programming or automation experience using Python or similar languages.

• Ownership of engine modules or propulsion subsystems throughout development.
• Experience with engine cycle analysis tools such as NPSS, PyCycle, or similar.
• Background in gas turbine engine architecture and secondary air system development.
• Experience developing engineering tools, automation, or multidisciplinary design workflows.
• Engine testing, rig testing, and data reduction experience.
• Familiarity with turbo machinery software such as AxSTREAM, ADS, or similar.
• Experience with in aerospace propulsion, industrial gas turbines, or other high-performance rotating machinery.

• Play a critical role in developing next-generation propulsion technology from the ground up.
• Take ownership of complex system-level engineering challenges with real influence over product development.
• Work alongside experienced multidisciplinary engineers in a collaborative, high-performance environment.
• Join a fast-moving engineering organisation that values innovation, technical excellence, and rapid decision-making over bureaucracy.
• Competitive compensation, equity, comprehensive benefits, relocation assistance, and flexible PTO.