Build Engineer, Turbopump/Thrust Chamber

Must be a U.S.

citizen or permanent resident (current Green Card holder) or be granted status as a “protected person” under 8 U.S.C.

1324b(a)(3).

About AdAstra:

AdAstra Talent Acquisition is a boutique firm which partners with elite aerospace start-ups to headhunt for their most critical technical roles.

This role is with a confidential client company based in Los Angeles, CA.

About the Company

This company is developing the world’s most efficient rocket to deliver small satellites to orbit.

This role will be working out of a brand new, beautiful facility in Los Angeles, CA.

This company is led by a team of successful professionals with a track record of thriving startups in their wake.

About this Role

This role will support the liquid rocket engine development program including thrust chamber and turbopump design, manufacturing (additive and traditional), building, and testing at NASA Stennis Space Center.

This company has the ambitious goal for this engine to be the world’s highest-performing engine for small launchers, while optimized for mass production and low cost.

You’ll have unique exposure to high-performance, single shaft, staged combustion turbopump designs for manufacturing and testing.

You will join a program with existing momentum which so far has (A) a fully produced set of LOX pumps and turbine which will be tested in April, (B) built out test stands for engine combustion chamber and turbopump at NASA Stennis Space Center, (C) upcoming second series of combustion chamber testing due this summer (three new liquid rocket engine combustion chambers and one new injector arriving at HQ this April for final processing and machining).

Over the next two years, you will be a key team member helping complete the development of this company’s engine to a completed and reliable high-performance product (upcoming projects include: fuel pump, valves, and throttle, gimbal and actuators, engine controller, and wiring harness, final packaging design, long-duration testing, flight weight reductions, potential pre-burner development).

Responsibilities
Turbopump manufacturing
– working with external vendors and new internal factory to get complete ready-to-test turbopump assemblies produced, balanced, cleaned, assembled, and integrated into a test stand.

Documentation
– Work instructions, Document processes.

Build out and maintenance of turbopump and combustion chambers test stands at NASA Stennis Space Center.

Build, maintain, and troubleshoot fluid systems involving pressurized cylinders, regulators, tanks, valves, tubing, fittings, and other plumbing elements.

Work with electronics team to properly integrate sensors and actuators into test stands.

Sourcing and purchasing.

Vendor chasing and inventory management.

3D printed combustion chamber and injector processing (HIP, Heat treatment, machining, polishing, shipping)
– all the way to integration to the test stand.

Communicate effectively with entire team to regularly provide updates on progress and issues.

Always follow proper safety procedures and wear personal protective equipment in the workplace.

Required Skills
Ability to work as a teammate and independently to achieve ambitious goals.

Hands-on engineering (full-stack: computer to wrench to broom).

Communication (written, visual, slides).

CAD (platform agnostic
– SolidWorks primary).

Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).

Problem-solving.

Capable to grow positive, respectful, and professional relationships.

Willing to make mistakes, take responsibilities, work independently and be transparent about your work.

Other Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.

Must be willing to spend 50% of time at NASA Stennis Space Center (Fully paid travel and hotel while there).

Must have a strong personal projects engineering portfolio (CAD, CAM, software, documentation).

Valid driver’s license.

Work in an outdoor environment exposed to extreme weather conditions.

Flexibility to work overtime and adapt to a varying schedule.

Preferred Experience
2+ years of industry experience with liquid rocket engines, turbopump or fluid system design, development, fabrication, assembly, or test.

CFD, FEA (Ansys) DAQs & Labview CAM.

Coding (MATLAB, C++, javascript, C, Arduino).

General ‘making’ skills (Machining, CNC, welding, fixturing, assembly).

ITAR Requirement

To conform to U.S.

Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S.

citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C.

1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S.

Department of State.

Company Description:

This position is a direct hire, permanent placement for a client of AdAstra.

AdAstra’s mission is building thriving teams within elite aerospace organizations.

Our commitment is to curate and close premier talent for our partners, achieved via specialized technical screening, personalized culture assessment, and high-touch candidate engagement.

We are motivated to foster boundless team satisfaction and catalyze innovation for future generations, enabling inconceivable technology from Earth, to the stars.

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