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Propulsion Analyst

Propulsion Analyst, Launch Vehicle Development

We are supporting a fast-moving launch company developing next-generation rocket vehicles from concept through flight. The team is building at an early-stage, 0-to-1 phase, so this role suits someone who enjoys ambiguity, ownership, and working closely with propulsion, vehicle, test, and systems teams.

The role:

You will support propulsion system analysis across liquid rocket engine and/or vehicle-level propulsion architecture, helping drive design decisions through modelling, simulation, trade studies, and performance evaluation.

Responsibilities:

  • Perform propulsion system analysis for launch vehicle and rocket engine development
  • Build and maintain models for engine performance, fluid systems, thermodynamics, and vehicle-level propulsion behaviour
  • Support trade studies across engine cycle, propellant selection, feed systems, pressurisation, cooling, and performance margins
  • Analyse test data from component, subsystem, and integrated propulsion testing
  • Work closely with propulsion design, test, GNC, structures, and systems engineering teams
  • Support requirements definition, verification planning, and design reviews
  • Identify performance risks, sensitivities, and opportunities for optimisation
  • Contribute to early architecture decisions in a 0-to-1 launch vehicle environment

Ideal background:

  • Experience in propulsion analysis, rocket engine performance, fluid systems, or launch vehicle modelling
  • Strong understanding of thermodynamics, compressible flow, fluid dynamics, combustion, and propulsion fundamentals
  • Experience with tools such as Python, MATLAB, Simulink, CEA, REFPROP, EcosimPro, Modelica, NPSS, or similar
  • Exposure to liquid propulsion systems, pressurised systems, turbomachinery, feed systems, tanks, valves, or thermal management
  • Comfortable working from first principles where processes and tools may still be immature
  • Experience analysing hot-fire, component, or integrated system test data is highly valuable
  • Aerospace, mechanical, propulsion, or related engineering degree preferred

Nice to have:

  • Launch vehicle or rocket engine development experience
  • Early-stage startup or rapid development environment experience
  • Experience with LOX/methane, LOX/RP-1, hydrogen, or storable propulsion systems
  • Familiarity with system safety, verification, requirements, and design review processes
  • Understanding of vehicle performance, trajectory impacts, and mass/performance trades

Working style:

This is a hands-on analytical role in a highly iterative engineering environment. The right person will be technically strong, pragmatic, and comfortable influencing design decisions with imperfect data.