Propulsion Engineer

Role Sorian Aerospace is building a high-performance fighter-class jet for adversary air (Red Air) missions and advanced pilot training. The goal: deliver the maneuverability, integrated electronic warfare, BVR targeting, autonomous flight, CCA interoperability, and flight experience of front-line fighters — at a fraction of the cost. As a Propulsion Engineer, you’ll work hands-on with engines, fuel systems, controls, and hardware that puts thrust on the airplane.

You’ll be responsible for system-level integration of jet propulsion units, startup and tuning, ground testing, and flight readiness. You’ll work side-by-side with structures, avionics, and systems teams to make sure the propulsion system performs as designed — every time. This is not a modeling job. You’ll be firing up engines, troubleshooting them, and shipping working hardware that flies.

Responsibilities

• Integrate off-the-shelf or modified jet engines into the airframe
• Design and route fuel, electrical, and control systems required for safe engine operation
• Run ground test campaigns to validate startup, spool-up behavior, thermal loading, and thrust output
• Assist with FADEC tuning, throttle response, and powertrain calibration
• Monitor engine health and performance during flight test and support root cause analysis
• Own propulsion-related instrumentation, sensors, and data logging
• Support hardware fabrication, mounting, and vibration isolation efforts

Requirements

• 3–7 years of hands-on propulsion experience — preferably on jet or turbine engines
• Experience integrating engines into airframes or test stands
• Strong knowledge of thermodynamics, turbo machinery, and power plant subsystems
• Familiarity with FADEC systems, startup sequences, and throttle response tuning
• Able to troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, or software issues in real time
• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency required

Results

• Deliver a propulsion system that works from startup to shutdown
• Support flight test with confidence in engine safety, performance, and instrumentation
• Help develop a test-and-iterate loop for propulsion improvements

Availability Full-time, based in Long Beach, CA
Some evenings and weekends may be required during build, test, or flight ops Compensation Range $120,000–$180,000 base salary

• meaningful equity
• complete healthcare benefits for you and your dependents

Company Core Values We run it hotter. We run it faster.
We solve problems at the engine, not the spreadsheet.
We value engineers who take full ownership — from bolt pattern to flame holder. To apply: Email your resume and a short write-up on an engine system you’ve worked on — what went wrong, how you fixed it, and what you’d do differently next time — to  or click the “Apply Now” button below. Apply Now#J-18808-Ljbffr