Aerospace Propulsion Engineer

About this position

In a world where access to advanced propulsion technologies is increasingly important for security and strategic autonomy, you will directly contribute to innovations that strengthen Europe’s technological capabilities. You will work on solutions that go beyond the drawing board and are actually developed, tested, and validated. Are you ready to help shape the next generation of aerospace propulsion technologies? Then we would love to hear from you.

What will be your role?

As an aerospace propulsion engineer, you will collaborate closely with the Aerospace Propulsion team to design and analyse key components and technologies of propulsion systems, including combustion chambers, air intakes, propellant and fuel formulations, gas generators and propellant feed systems. Working alongside experienced engineers and scientists, you will be involved in the full chain of technology development, from initial concept generation to prototype fabrication and performance evaluation.

Your responsibilities will also include developing comprehensive test plans, selecting appropriate measurement techniques, and actively participating in the execution of tests in TNO’s Propulsion Test Facility. This will entail preparing experimental setups, conducting data acquisition, and performing post-test analyses of the test data. By actively participating in design and experimental work, you will help drive advancements in aerospace propulsion technologies within a multidisciplinary team.

You will also present findings to stakeholders and collaborate on research publications. You will become part of the Aerospace Propulsion (AP) team within the Department of Energetic Systems (ES). The department of Energetic Systems is dedicated to advancing research in energetic materials and their applications in both the defence and civilian domain. It manages all aspects related to energetic materials, including synthesis, production, processing, and characterization, as well as the analysis and design of associated systems.

The department employs approximately 40 professionals with backgrounds in engineering, chemistry, and physics. The Aerospace Propulsion team, one of the department's specialized groups, focuses on developing innovative technologies for aerospace propulsion applications, such as rockets, ramjets, and rotating detonation engines. Comprised of approximately ten engineers and scientists, the team utilizes state-of-the-art modelling and simulation tools and test facilities to rigorously evaluate the propulsion technologies developed.

What we expect from youWe are looking for a highly motivated and dependable professional who enjoys working in a team-oriented setting. The ideal candidate will be able to handle their own tasks independently, make smart choices when planning tasks, and working within multiple projects at the same time. Dedication to developing creative technical solutions and contributing to a safer society is important.

When unexpected challenges arise, you should be able to adapt quickly and collaborate with your team to find effective solutions. Strong attention to details and the ability to keep sight of big-picture project goals are both crucial.

PhD or MSc in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, (applied) physics, or related field;

Strong interest in aerospace and defence;

Knowledge of (aero-)thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, combustion and aerospace propulsion.

Candidates with limited domain-specific knowledge should have at least five years of relevant work experience in an engineering capacity;

Experience with MATLAB and/or Python;

Any prior exposure to designing and testing aerospace propulsion systems or components is appreciated, but not required;

Any…