Senior Turbomachinery Engineer

1w1 week ago

Astro Mechanica

San Francisco, US · Full-time · $150,000 – $250,000

About this role

Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company building supersonic travel with Duality™, its proprietary dual-use propulsion system. The Senior Turbomachinery Engineer will own the design of the propulsion system’s compressor section. Contributions will directly influence efficiency and thrust of the world’s first turboelectric adaptive jet engine.

You will run compressor design trade studies across wide operating envelopes, balancing performance, operability, and structural integrity. Validate designs through test campaigns with instrumentation for performance and spectral analysis. Analyze data to integrate into system-level models and next-gen hardware.

Join hardcore engineers who live and breathe aerospace as generalists with subject matter expertise. Operate in a flat organizational structure within a pragmatic, competent culture that moves fast. Build world-changing technology in a team-focused environment.

Thrive at the intersection of fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and real-world integration challenges. Lead from concept through test and iteration as a builder, analyst, and mentor. Dive into CFD models or roll up sleeves in a test cell.

Requirements

Seasoned engineer with deep roots in turbomachinery and demonstrated excellence in aerospace and/or ground based systems
Track record in compressor aerodynamics, highly value experience in radial compressors, inducers, impellers and gas driven turbines, especially those that reached orbit
Expertise in blade design, flowpath coupling, rotordynamics, drive shafts, dynamic seals and bearings
Proficiency in analysis, design, testing, and optimization for high-performance engines
Lead from concept through to test and iteration
Equally comfortable diving into CFD models or rolling up sleeves in a test cell
Thrive at the intersection of fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and real-world integration challenges
Builder, analyst, and mentor

Responsibilities

Own the aerodynamic and mechanical design of axial compressor stages from clean-sheet to flight-ready hardware
Run compressor design trade studies across a wide operating envelope, balancing performance, operability, and structural integrity
Validate compressor design through test campaign execution, selection, and placement of instrumentation for performance calculations and spectral analysis
Analyze test data and integrate findings into system-level performance models and next-gen hardware design cycles
Develop, validate, and iterate computational models using StarCCM+, AxSTREAM, and other in-house tools
Utilize propulsion cycle models (GasTurb, NPSS) to predict engine performance from compressor maps
Evaluate turbomachinery designs using FEA and rotordynamics tools (e.g., DyRoBes) to analyze critical speeds, balance conditions, and Campbell diagrams
Lead bearing selection, preload definition, and stiffness trade studies in coordination with thermal management constraints