--- title: 'Senior Test Engineer at Venus Aerospace' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-test-engineer-venus-aerospace-houston-wytdtrw37vs9' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-11' --- # Senior Test Engineer at Venus Aerospace - **Company:** Venus Aerospace - **Location:** Houston, TX - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-09-08 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11 - **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/venusaero/67e92088-4692-40ed-9435-1f4fd134574f ## 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: Senior Test Engineer We are seeking an exceptional Senior Test Engineer to play a pivotal role in advancing the next generation of aerospace propulsion systems and vehicles. In this highly visible position, you will take a leading role in the design, development, commissioning, and operation of cutting-edge propulsion test facilities that transform innovative concepts into flight-ready hardware. You will own the complete test lifecycle—from architecting high-pressure fluid, pneumatic, hydraulic, and cryogenic systems to developing automated test stands, creating test plans and hazard analyses, and executing critical development and qualification campaigns. As a technical leader, you will work alongside multidisciplinary engineering teams to solve complex challenges, analyze high-value test data, drive root-cause investigations, and implement innovative solutions that improve safety, reliability, and performance. You'll mentor the next generation of engineers, shape the future of our test capabilities, and make a direct impact on the success of groundbreaking propulsion technologies. If you're passionate about building world-class test systems, thrive in a fast-paced, hands-on environment, and are excited by the opportunity to push the boundaries of aerospace engineering, we want you on our team. ## What You Have - Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering or related field. - 8+ years of engineering experience with at least 5 years supporting engine testing or complex mechanical test systems. - Experience designing, operating, and troubleshooting high-pressure fluid systems, instrumentation, data acquisition (DAQ) systems, and automated test systems. - Strong understanding of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer. - Excellent troubleshooting, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to effectively partner across engineering, manufacturing, operations, propulsion and other multidisciplinary teams. - Demonstrate a positive, collaborative attitude while providing technical leadership, driving projects to successful completion, and mentoring junior engineers to foster their technical growth and professional development. - Work outdoors in varying weather in required PPE. - Root cause analysis - Lift up to 50 lbs. What Will Set You Apart - 8+ years supporting liquid rocket engine testing. - 5+ years of experience supporting hazardous test operations with HTP, RP-1, helium, or cryogenic systems. - 5+ years of experience with CAD modeling software - Experience with Siemens NX, Teamcenter, and Atlassian suite. - Deliver new test capabilities on schedule. - Improve safety, reliability, and efficiency. Experience. - Serve as a technical leader and mentor. 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 - [Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineer-venus-aerospace-houston-zcta6neszt08) — Houston, TX - [Principal Propulsion Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-propulsion-engineer-venus-aerospace-oceanside-1m132n6ejwb4) — Oceanside, CA - [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