---
title: 'Instrumentation Engineer at Venus Aerospace'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/instrumentation-engineer-venus-aerospace-houston-ta1tzb73aeps'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-16'
---

# Instrumentation Engineer at Venus Aerospace

- **Company:** Venus Aerospace
- **Location:** Houston, TX
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-10-13
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-16
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/venusaero/5eb4e7ae-d634-4475-99b2-48a96d3adda7

## Job description

Who We Are:

Venus Aerospace is revolutionizing rocket engine propulsion. With the first generational leap in rocket engine technology since Apollo, our proprietary Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine and Venus Detonation Ramjets deliver historic efficiency and performance across aerospace applications. We are building the next generation of propulsion platforms that enable breakthrough capabilities in space, defense, and commercial high-speed flight. Our team thrives on solving the toughest engineering challenges and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in aerospace. At Venus, we’re looking for bold engineers and innovators who want to make history and redefine the future of propulsion.

The Role: Instrumentation Engineer

The Instrumentation Engineer is a self-motivated, proactive professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and communicates effectively across disciplines. This role requires a strong foundation in electrical engineering and instrumentation and offers a unique opportunity to make an immediate and meaningful impact on next-generation aerospace systems.

If you are passionate about designing measurement systems for high-energy, one-of-a-kind hardware, you will join a highly experienced team whose background spans large aerospace companies, chemical plants, government organizations, and hands-on engineering environments—united by a culture of ownership, innovation, and technical excellence.

## What You’ll Get to Do

- Own the design, analysis, development, integration, and maintenance of test department electrical and instrumentation systems used across a wide range of applications.
- Play a critical role on a multidisciplinary team responsible for defining how complex aerospace hardware is instrumented, measured, and validated.
- Select, integrate, and validate sensors for low-speed and high-speed data acquisition systems
- Perform signal conditioning, including excitation, amplification, filtering, isolation, and scaling of raw sensor outputs
- Verify correct sensor operation through power checks, continuity, polarity, and calibration
- Design and fabricate wiring harnesses and instrumentation interfaces
- Integrate instrumentation with mechanical, fluid, inert gas, and cryogenic systems
- Develop robust test setups for large- and small-scale hardware
- Generate and revise electrical and instrumentation schematics for test stands
- Modify existing structures to meet testing requirements
- Generate test procedures for new systems and calibration of existing systems
- Review test data to identify issues, anomalies, and trends
- Support grounding, shielding, and EMI mitigation efforts
- Install, wire, and troubleshoot test instrumentation systems
- Communicate with the Software team to support automated testing and analysis
- Support commissioning and maintenance of test infrastructure and equipment
- Perform additional tasks as needed to support test and development operations

## What You Have

- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent hands-on test experience (In absence of a degree, 7+ years of relevant experience)
- 3+ years of experience in instrumentation, controls, or test engineering
- Hands-on experience with signal conditioning and data acquisition systems
- Strong understanding of the following: Measurement uncertainty and sampling theory; Filtering, noise, grounding, and EMI; Sensor selection and integration
- Solid understanding of sensor signal types and wiring, including: Voltage, mV, differential voltage, and 4–20 mA outputs; Bridge-based sensors; IEPE / charge accelerometers; Digital I/O and low/high-side switching; Thermocouples and RTDs; Pulse and frequency signals
- Practical experience installing and troubleshooting: Pressure and differential pressure transducers; Thermocouples and RTDs; High-speed accelerometers; Load cells and strain-gauge sensors; Flowmeters; Mechanical limit switches; Solenoid valves; Power supplies; NI PXI, cDAQ, and cRIO systems; VFDs
- Tools & Equipment Experience: Power supplies; Digital multimeters and signal generators; Oscilloscopes; Crimp tools and precision cutting tools; Soldering and rework equipment; Heat guns and strain relief tools; Torque tools for sensor installation; Labeling and harness management tools
- Comfort working in a fast-paced, hardware-focused environment
- Excellent organizational skills, coupled with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, and the demonstrated capacity to work both independently and collaboratively within cross-functional teams
- Willingness and ability to work outdoors in support of testing and fabrication activities; safely lift and transport up to 40 pounds; and adapt to evolving test, development, and operational requirements

What Will Set You Apart

- Experience in aerospace, propulsion testing, or flight test
- Familiarity with LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python, DIAdem
- Familiarity with Confluence, Jira, and Microsoft Office Suite
- Experience with high-speed or transient data acquisition
- Experience operating in cryogenic or high-temperature environments
- Background supporting hazardous test operations
- Strong cross-functional communication during live test operations
- 3+ years of experience with CAD modeling software
- 3+ years of experience in hardware testing environments
- 3+ years of experience with fluid and/or mechanical system design

ITAR Requirements This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be able to meet ITAR requirements (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). You can learn more about ITAR here.

Venus Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation, please email careerassistance@venusaero.com or call (281) 203-0027.This email and phone number were created exclusively to assist job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Messages or any other purposes, such as following up on an application, third party staffing agencies, website technical issues, or any other issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response. Messages will be returned within five business days.

For additional information about our Equal Opportunity Employment Policy, please visit our EEOP page.

## About Venus Aerospace

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Venus Aerospace is developing the first generational leap in rocket engine technology since the Apollo era, using a rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) to power hypersonic flight for space, defense, and commercial applications.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series A; Total Funding: $46M)
- **Headquarters**: Houston, Texas, United States
- **Founded**: 2020
- **Founders**: Sassie Duggleby (CEO) and Dr. Andrew Duggleby (CTO)

## Core Business
- Primary industry/industries: Aerospace & Defense – Hypersonic propulsion, rocket engine manufacturing, high-speed flight systems.
- Target customers: Government (defense, space agencies), commercial aerospace (satellite launch, high-speed transport), and private industry partners.
- Mission/Purpose: “Connect the world and make it safer” by enabling one-hour global transport through revolutionary hypersonic technology.

## Products & Services
- **Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE)**: A breakthrough rocket engine that uses detonation waves for combustion, offering historic efficiency and low cost. Successfully test-flown in May 2025 – the first high-thrust RDRE flight ever.
- **Venus Detonation Ramjet (VDR)**: An air-breathing engine combining RDRE with ramjet technology, designed to power vehicles from take-off to sustained hypersonic cruise (Mach 5+). Intended for both defense and commercial high-speed platforms.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (private company).
- **Key Metric**: Total Funding – **$46M** across multiple rounds; Annual Revenue – **$2.8M** (estimated).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**:
  - Prime Movers Lab (led Series A, $20M, April 2022)
  - Airbus Ventures (led $15.9M venture round, June 2023)
  - Texas Space Commission ($3.9M grant, April 2025)
  - Other partners include NASA, Virgin Orbit alumni team.
- **Growth Signals**:
  - 28.7% headcount growth YoY (69 employees; +28 from previous year)
  - 27,085 LinkedIn followers (+36% YoY)
  - Successful first flight test of high-thrust RDRE in May 2025
  - Actively hiring for 14 open positions (engineering, manufacturing, test, finance)

## Competitive Advantages
- **First fundamental improvement in rocket engine technology in 60+ years** – RDRE eliminates complex turbopumps, reduces part count, and increases efficiency.
- **Affordable by design** – Simple construction, standard materials, and reusability allow lower production and operating costs compared to traditional rocket engines.
- **Proven flight test** – On May 14, 2025, Venus executed the world’s first high-thrust RDRE test flight, validating the technology.
- **Scalable platform** – The same core engine architecture can be used for space launch, hypersonic missiles, and commercial air travel.

## Strategic Focus
- Scale the RDRE and VDR engines for production and integration into defense platforms (e.g., hypersonic vehicles, drones) and commercial applications.
- Secure additional government contracts and strategic partnerships.
- Continue capital-efficient development while growing the team and infrastructure in Houston.
- Pursue flight testing of the VDR air-breathing engine.

## Why Work Here
- **Impact**: Join a small but fast-growing team working on the most significant propulsion breakthrough since the Apollo missions.
- **Culture**: The company emphasizes “curiosity, collaboration, and balance,” trusting engineers to take bold swings and solve tough problems.
- **Environment**: On-site work in Houston, Texas – a hub for aerospace innovation (Space City). Offices near major space players.
- **Team**: Composed of alumni from Virgin Orbit, SpaceX, Blue Origin, NASA, and top engineering schools. Flat structure with high ownership.
- **Growth**: Ability to shape the future of propulsion from an early stage; exposure to full product life cycle from design to flight test.

## Sources
1. [venusaero.com](https://www.venusaero.com/)  
2. [venusaero.com/careers](https://www.venusaero.com/careers)  
3. [venusaero.com/team](https://www.venusaero.com/team)  
4. [linkedin.com/company/venusaero](https://www.linkedin.com/company/venusaero)  
5. [jobs.lever.co/venusaero](https://jobs.lever.co/venusaero)

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