--- title: 'Sr. Thermal & Propulsion Engineer at Fortastra Corporation' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/sr-thermal-propulsion-engineer-fortastra-corporation-torrance-423jeqmkwgjm' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-10-19' --- # Sr. Thermal & Propulsion Engineer at Fortastra Corporation - **Company:** Fortastra Corporation - **Location:** Torrance, CA - **Posted:** 2026-09-24 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-19 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/fortastracorporation/jobs/4420251009 ## Job description Company Overview Fortastra designs and delivers resilient, high-performance spacecraft that safeguard critical orbital assets and ensure freedom of action in space. We integrate advanced autonomy, sensing, and control into systems engineered for reliability, speed, and scale. Our culture values simplicity, accountability, and disciplined execution. We expect leaders to think systemically, act decisively, and take ownership of mission outcomes.  Aggressive innovation. Disciplined execution. Strength among the stars. We recently closed a $30M Series A to build the future of on-orbit security and we’re just getting started! Our Engineering Team You will join Fortastra’s Engineering Division, working at the intersection of propulsion, thermal control, and spacecraft systems. The team is responsible for the design, integration, and flight readiness of core vehicle subsystems that directly determine mission reliability and on-orbit performance. ## The Role Fortastra is seeking a Sr. Thermal & Propulsion Engineer to own the design and implementation of our bipropellant propulsion hardware and Thermal Control Systems (TCS). This is a hardware-focused role: you will architect, design, and build propulsion and thermal-fluid systems including thrusters, feed systems (tanks, valves, lines), and thermal management hardware that must operate reliably in the space environment. You will be responsible for taking systems from concept through detailed design and into assembly and integration, with less emphasis on pure analysis or simulation and more on practical, flight-ready hardware. The ideal candidate brings deep hands-on experience with propulsion and thermal-fluid systems, strong mechanical design instincts, and a track record of delivering hardware that works on the vehicle. ## Key Responsibilities - Own the end-to-end design of bipropellant propulsion hardware, including thrusters, tanks, valves, regulators, filters, and feed system plumbing. - Architect and implement Thermal Control Systems (TCS) for propulsion and related spacecraft subsystems, focusing on thermal-fluid behavior and hardware-level solutions. - Define fluid and thermal architectures that ensure reliable performance across all mission phases, including start-up, steady-state, transients, and off-nominal conditions. - Create detailed CAD models, assemblies, and drawings for propulsion and thermal hardware, including routing, brackets, manifolds, and integration hardware. - Select, specify, and qualify propulsion and thermal components (valves, sensors, heaters, fittings, insulation, etc.) and drive supplier engagement and design-for-manufacture decisions. - Work hands-on with technicians and manufacturing partners to build, assemble, and integrate propulsion and TCS hardware into the spacecraft. - Collaborate with systems, structures, avionics, and GNC teams to define interfaces, loads, and constraints, ensuring robust mechanical and functional integration. - Support test planning and execution for propulsion and thermal systems as needed, with a primary focus on designing hardware that is robust, testable, and flight-ready from the outset. ## Qualifications and Skills - B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field (M.S. is a plus but not required). - 5+ years of industry experience working on propulsion and/or thermal-fluid systems for spacecraft, launch vehicles, or similar aerospace hardware. - Demonstrated, hands-on experience designing and developing propulsion hardware, including bipropellant thrusters and feed systems (tanks, valves, tubing, regulators, fittings). - Experience designing Thermal Control Systems (TCS) for complex aerospace hardware, with practical application of thermodynamics and heat transfer to hardware-level solutions. - Proficiency with CAD tools for mechanical design, layout, and integration of propulsion and thermal hardware. - Strong understanding of fluid dynamics and thermal-fluids as applied to propellant management, feed systems, and thermal control, with a bias toward implementable, hardware-centric designs. - Proven ability to take systems from concept through detailed design, fabrication, assembly, integration, and troubleshooting on real hardware. - Preference for engineers who gravitate toward hardware design and build rather than primarily analysis or simulation roles. - Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to operate in a small, fast-moving, highly integrated engineering team. ## Requirements - 5 days on-site in Torrance, CA - U.S. Citizenship required ## Why Fortastra We are a small, high-impact team building the next generation of autonomous orbital control systems for national security space. At Fortastra, leaders own outcomes from first principles through flight and directly shape the future of resilient, mission-critical spacecraft autonomy. ## FORTASTRA TALENT & CULTURE PRINCIPLES Values Driven by First Principles We value engineers and operators who prioritize sound judgment, candor, technical rigor, bias for action, and intellectual honesty over corporate consensus. We care about the caliber of the system you build and the speed at which you solve problems. Talent Density Over Headcount A high-performing startup is built on dense talent, not organizational bloat. A single exceptional engineer designs, tests, and delivers faster than a bloated committee. We intentionally maintain a lean, elite engineering crew where every contributor directly moves the needle on the mission. High Autonomy, High Ownership We hire domain experts to execute, not to micromanage them. You own your systems end-to-end, from initial architecture and hardware design to testing and deployment. With absolute ownership comes the responsibility to deliver mission critical reliability. Mission Context Over Bureaucracy The best execution happens when teams are provided clear technical objectives, constraints, and operational context, rather than rigid top-down policies. We strip away red tape so builders can iterate, make decisions, and push hardware and flight software forward rapidly. Disciplined Speed & Flight Rigor We move fast because we test often and kill artificial bottlenecks, not because we cut corners. Rapid iteration on the test stand and in simulation is how we learn; an uncompromising flight-readiness bar is how we earn trust. Precision without friction, speed without recklessness. Direct Impact, Not Career Bureaucracy You don’t come to Fortastra to climb a corporate ladder or manage slide decks; you come to build complex, flight-ready systems from day one. Growth here is organic, driven by the magnitude of technical challenges you solve and the trust you build across the team. ## Benefits We take care of our employees so they can focus on what matters most: family, well-being, and life outside of work. Unlimited Paid Time Off so that you have the time you need to rest and recharge. Comprehensive Healthcare: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, because peace of mind starts with feeling cared for. Equity: Share in Fortastra's success with equity in the company you're helping build. 401(k): A 401(k) plan to help you invest in your future and plan for what's ahead. Social Events: Regular social events, team outings, and company-sponsored activities that make this a place people are glad to be part of. The pay range for this role is $130,000.00 - $220,000.00. Where an offer falls within that range depends on factors like your qualifications, experience, location, and interview performance, which we weigh against the market rate for the position. Recruiters & Agencies: Fortastra does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from recruiters, agencies, or third parties. Any candidate submitted without a signed agreement and prior written authorization from Fortastra will not be subject to any fee, and no relationship is implied. Please do not contact Fortastra employees, hiring managers, or recruiting team directly. ## About Fortastra Corporation ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Fortastra is building intelligent, maneuverable spacecraft designed to protect critical on-orbit infrastructure for government, allied, and commercial customers. - **Entity Type**: Private (Seed/Early Stage) - **Headquarters**: Torrance, California, USA - **Founded**: 2025 - **Founders**: Mike Smayda (CEO) ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Aerospace & Defense, Space Security - **Target customers**: U.S. Government (Space Force, DoD), allied and partner nations, commercial satellite operators - **Mission or purpose statement**: To build the systems that keep space safe by developing spacecraft that maneuver, assess, and take action to protect the space systems the world depends on. ## Products & Services - **Watchdog Satellite Line**: A planned family of maneuverable, autonomous satellites designed to act as "bodyguards" for high-value space assets. Long-term goal includes in-house satellite bus production. - **Stuntman Test Rig**: A ground-based robotic arm test system used to practice close-in maneuvering, refine software, and validate autonomy suites before orbital deployment. - **Satellite-as-a-Service (Saa S) Model**: Planned offering for allied and partner nations for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, similar to company-owned, company-operated ISR platforms in the air domain. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (early-stage private company) - **Key Metric**: 16 employees as of mid-2026; first two spacecraft scheduled for launch on SpaceX Transporter-18 rideshare in late 2026 - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not publicly disclosed; CEO Mike Smayda previously co-founded Hermeus (hypersonic aircraft startup) and spent five years at SpaceX - **Growth Signals**: Rapidly scaling from founding in 2025 to 16 employees and two spacecraft ready for launch within ~18 months; building out 4,000 sq. ft. workspace; actively hiring across engineering and operations ## Competitive Advantages - **First-mover in active space defense**: Unlike traditional satellites designed for observation or communication, Fortastra’s architecture is purpose-built for maneuver, threat assessment, and active protection. - **Founder pedigree**: CEO Mike Smayda brings deep experience from SpaceX (large-scale systems, rapid iteration) and Hermeus (government contracting, scaling nimble operations). - **Multi-orbit strategy**: Long-term vision to provide zone defense across multiple orbits, not just point defense, addressing a growing gap as space becomes congested and contested. - **Focus on autonomy**: Developing sophisticated software and GN&C systems to enable autonomous close-in maneuvering and threat response. ## Strategic Focus - **Near-term**: Execute first orbital test launch on SpaceX Transporter-18 (late 2026); burn down technical risk on Watchdog satellite platform. - **Mid-term**: Transition from sourced satellite buses to in-house production; expand satellite-as-a-service offerings for allied nations and commercial customers. - **Long-term**: Become the premier provider of on-orbit security for critical space infrastructure including future fuel depots, pharmaceutical manufacturing hubs, and military assets. ## Why Work Here - **Mission-driven work**: Directly contribute to protecting the space systems that global society depends on, at a company that values action, rigor, and solving hard problems. - **Early-stage equity**: Employees receive early-stage equity, sharing in the company’s growth from the ground up. - **Comprehensive benefits**: 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision for employees and their families; unlimited and flexible PTO. - **Performance-focused culture**: Described as a performance-focused, people-first culture that invests in well-being so employees can focus on building spacecraft that matter. - **Hands-on impact**: With only 16 people, employees have significant ownership and the chance to shape both the technology and the company’s trajectory. - **Location**: Based in Torrance, CA (Southern California), with a dedicated workshop and test facilities. - **ITAR requirements**: Many roles require U.S. citizenship or U.S. person status as defined by ITAR. ## Sources 1. [fortastra.com](https://www.fortastra.com/) 2. [fortastra.com/careers](https://www.fortastra.com/careers) 3. [Aviation Week](https://aviationweek.com/space/satellites/debrief-startup-preparing-spaces-neighborhood-watch-era) 4. [Greenhouse Jobs](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/fortastracorporation/jobs/4052867009) 5. [Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/2628142D:US) ## Other roles at Fortastra Corporation - [Sr. Ground Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-ground-software-engineer-fortastra-corporation-torrance-kbs4qgsyrmbq) — Torrance, CA - [Sr. Mechanical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-mechanical-engineer-fortastra-corporation-torrance-qqj6tz8kthj2) — Torrance, CA - [Sr. Avionics Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-avionics-engineer-fortastra-corporation-torrance-8xp84rd0ehqx) — Torrance, CA - [Senior RF Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-rf-engineer-fortastra-corporation-torrance-r06rv15q5kv7) — Torrance, CA - [Mechanical Engineer II](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-engineer-ii-fortastra-corporation-torrance-dkskkds927a8) — Torrance, CA - [Technical Recruiter](https://feeny.ai/job/technical-recruiter-fortastra-corporation-torrance-nc0618vn6sx9) — Torrance, CA - [Autonomy Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/autonomy-engineer-fortastra-corporation-torrance-c4ca9cgeycr8) — Torrance, CA - [Head of Flight Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-flight-software-engineer-fortastra-corporation-torrance-sqb7wjw0pvgk) — Torrance, CA - [Perception Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/perception-engineer-fortastra-corporation-torrance-bvsrn4rbf589) — Torrance, CA - [Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/guidance-navigation-and-control-gn-c-engineer-fortastra-corporation-torrance-29wxs5nz4b4f) — Torrance, CA