Propulsion Test Engineer

At Heart Aerospace we develop the ES-30, a regional hybrid‑electric airplane with a capacity of 30 passengers, an electric zero‑emission range of 200 km and an extended hybrid range of 400 km. Heart is targeting type certification of the ES-30 by the end of the decade.

We are seeking a Propulsion Engineer to join our Dynamic Propulsion team in Torrance, CA. You will lead the testing, validation and certification of the aircraft’s hybrid‑electric powertrain system. You will also interface across mechanical, thermal, propulsion, actuation, avionics, and battery teams to develop, execute, and analyze integrated system‑level tests of the Electric Propulsion Unit (EPU) and its subsystems.

• Lead and execute system‑level powertrain testing, including electric motor, inverter, gearbox, disconnect systems, and propeller subsystems.
• Design and commission hybrid‑electric propulsion test stands, HIL, and Digital Twin, including instrumentation, safety systems, control systems, and data acquisition.
• Plan, execute, and document test campaigns to verify performance, safety, and certification compliance.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to develop test procedures and test plans for integrated propulsion systems.
• Coordinate with suppliers and external labs to support component and system‑level testing.
• Analyze test data, prepare reports, and provide feedback to design teams for iterative development.
• Support environmental, endurance, fault‑injection, and compliance testing for certification readiness.

• 2+ years of professional experience in powertrain, propulsion, or test engineering, with electric or ideally hybrid‑electric systems.
• Hands‑on experience designing and operating powertrain or propulsion test stands with complex instrumentation and control.
• Deep understanding of electric powertrains including motors, inverters, batteries, and thermal management systems.
• Proficiency with data acquisition systems (e.g., dSPACE, NI, Dewesoft) and instrumentation (current/voltage sensors, thermocouples, strain gauges).
• Experience developing automated test procedures and control scripts (e.g., Python, LabVIEW, or similar).
• Strong analytical skills in interpreting test data and diagnosing system performance and failure modes.
• Understanding of high voltage safety standards and procedures for testing environments.

• Familiarity with aerospace certification requirements (EASA CS‑23/25 or FAA FAR Part 23/25).
• Experience with DO‑160 or MIL‑STD environmental test standards.
• Experience with root cause analysis and tools such as DFMEA and fault tree analysis.
• Background in hybrid propulsion systems or aerospace propulsion integration.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace Engineering, or related fields.

$124,000 — $216,000 USD