What You'll Do- Own the Propulsion Architecture
- Lead engine selection and sizing trades
- Define propulsion system architecture including nacelle, mounts, fuel, controls, and thermal integration
- Tie propulsion performance to mission modeling and aircraft-level requirements
- Drive Aircraft-Level Integration
- Lead engine-to-airframe integration across structures, aerodynamics, avionics, and autonomy
- Define propulsion interfaces and manage integration risks
- Partner cross-functionally to retire vibration, thermal, and installation risks early
- Lead OEM & Supplier Engagement
- Serve as primary technical interface with engine OEMs
- Evaluate performance guarantees, integration constraints, and certification pedigree
- Ensure long-lead propulsion risks are proactively managed
- Enable Certification & Airworthiness
- Support FAA and/or military airworthiness compliance strategy
- Contribute to propulsion-related hazard analyses and safety documentation
- Help shape the path from experimental testing to certified operations
- Support Test & Validation
- Define propulsion ground and flight test instrumentation strategies
- Correlate models with test data
- Own performance validation against mission requirements
What You'll Bring- Deep Propulsion Expertise
- 10+ years of experience in aircraft propulsion or propulsion integration
- Experience integrating turboprop and/or small turbofan engines
- Strong understanding of engine performance, SFC, installation effects, and mission sizing
- Aircraft-Level Systems Thinking
- Experience leading propulsion integration on a clean-sheet or major derivative program
- Working knowledge of structural loads, vibration, thermal management, and FADEC integration
- Comfort operating at aircraft architecture level, not just component level
- Technical Leadership
- Experience interfacing directly with engine OEMs or Tier 1 suppliers
- Ability to lead trade studies and defend architecture decisions at design reviews
- Strong written and verbal technical communication skills
- Analytical Rigor
- Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, or similar tools
- Experience correlating analytical models with ground or flight test data
Bonus Points- FAA Part 23 or Part 25 propulsion certification experience
- Military airworthiness or DoD program experience
- Experience with MBSE tools (e.g., Cameo)
- Experience integrating propulsion with autonomy or unmanned systems
- Flight test support experience
Why You'll Love Working Here (Compensation and Benefits)Base Salary: $165,000 to 245,000 USD
The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Atropos's total compensation package. Additionally, Atropos offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:
- Platinum Healthcare Benefits:Atropos offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with 100% employer-paid premiums and little to no cost to you
- Basic Life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance 100% covered by Atropos, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents
- Unlimited PTO, with minimum of 15 days enforced
- 20 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition
- Family Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility (eg, IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting
- Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy, life coaching, and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, available to you as well
- Tuition and professional development reimbursement for STEM, MBA, and licenses
- In-Office Daily Lunch catered
- Company-funded child care stipend
- Company-funded commuter benefits available based on your region.
- Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility).
- 401(k) retirement savings plan - both a traditional and Roth 401(k). 6% employer matching contribution
The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.
