---
title: 'Principal Propulsion Engineer at Venus Aerospace'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/principal-propulsion-engineer-venus-aerospace-oceanside-1m132n6ejwb4'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-11'
---

# Principal Propulsion Engineer at Venus Aerospace

- **Company:** Venus Aerospace
- **Location:** Oceanside, CA
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-08-25
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/venusaero/822d34e8-a178-4e5c-ac17-ebb886e0986b

## 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: Principal Propulsion Engineer

As a Senior Propulsion Engineer, you will be involved in the design, analysis, and development of propulsion hardware from piece parts to engine assemblies and/or Propellant & Pressure Management (PPMS) systems. You will be responsible for taking designs from concepts to flight maturity hardware. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter and self-motivated individual who is comfortable working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

## What You'll Get To Do

- Support design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing of propulsion piece parts and assemblies
- Generate CAD models of components and engine systems
- Fluid network modeling, analysis and design: design and analysis engine fluid systems, identify COTS components for fluid systems, work with suppliers to source components.
- Generate P&ID’s of engine systems
- Develop and execute test plans; analyze test results
- Systems engineering experience focusing on generating engine balances, engine sizing and requirements, technical understanding of various engine cycles, and trading cycle efficiencies of various engine cycles
- Use engine P&IDs to generate fully detailed CAD models of engine assemblies
- Use agile methodology to break down complex projects into daily and weekly actionable tasks
- Design and analyze tanks and supporting tank structures and PPMS
- Work with vehicle engineering and test teams to satisfy engine systems design requirements and communicate engine systems test requirements
- Work with outside vendors and in-house procurement team to select and source components for engine and PPMS systems

## What You Have

- 10+ years of aerospace vehicle and engine systems engineering/design experience
- Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering
- Systems engineering and operational experience
- Experience working on multidisciplinary project teams
- Knowledge of standard aerospace materials used in designs of propulsion systems for high mechanical and thermal loads
- Knowledge of aerospace fluid systems component and fluid connections specifications
- The ideal candidate will be a multi-disciplinary engineer with a diverse set of skills and experience in some or most of these fields of expertise: mechanical and fluid systems designs, structural/thermal design and analysis, engine testing and hot-fire data analysis, hands-on experience with assembling and testing propulsion systems, generating complex CAD models and designing for manufacturing (DFM), including excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- 5+ years of CAD experience, particularly working with large assemblies
- Experience in some of the design and analysis tools such as NX / SolidWorks, ANSYS mechanical, CFX / StarCCM+, Matlab / Python, GFSSP, Microsoft Visio
- Strong communication skills to effectively work in a hybrid in-person/remote work environment in Oceanside-CA

What Will Set You Apart

- Master’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering
- Experience with RDREs or RDEs
- Project management/leadership
- Familiarity with Agile methods
- Strong background in systems engineering for engine or PPMS systems
- Engine and/or engine component testing
- Familiarity with standards such as SMC-S-016, NASA STD-5012, AIAA S-080A-2018
- Experience developing and standardizing processes for design, analysis, and testing

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)

## Other roles at Venus Aerospace

- [CNC Programmer](https://feeny.ai/job/cnc-programmer-venus-aerospace-houston-ypsv8w3wny5x) — Houston, TX
- [Senior Test Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-test-engineer-venus-aerospace-houston-wytdtrw37vs9) — Houston, TX
- [Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineer-venus-aerospace-houston-zcta6neszt08) — Houston, TX
- [Paralegal](https://feeny.ai/job/paralegal-venus-aerospace-remote-fg2k8r2sw3ty)
- [Test Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/test-technician-venus-aerospace-houston-zp9g05aq2w29) — Houston, TX
- [Business Performance Lead](https://feeny.ai/job/business-performance-lead-venus-aerospace-remote-j22wtwdzc5sn)
- [Test Operator](https://feeny.ai/job/test-operator-venus-aerospace-houston-xx10h2bcpamd) — Houston, TX
- [Senior Test Operator](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-test-operator-venus-aerospace-houston-bvj8egbz9p4n) — Houston, TX
- [Propulsion Drawing Checker/CAD Modeler](https://feeny.ai/job/propulsion-drawing-checker-cad-modeler-venus-aerospace-houston-38vq8haq0zzk) — Houston, TX
- [Propulsion Engineer (2 positions)](https://feeny.ai/job/propulsion-engineer-2-positions-venus-aerospace-houston-62ccft8r62n4) — Houston, TX