--- title: 'Test Engineer at Venus Aerospace' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/test-engineer-venus-aerospace-houston-h936a1g5xw7f' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-11-06' --- # Test Engineer at Venus Aerospace - **Company:** Venus Aerospace - **Location:** Houston, TX - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-11-04 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-06 - **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/venusaero/9f5bd7d9-ffff-4184-ab91-80f32155a4cc ## 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: Test Engineer As a Test Engineer, you will play a key role on a multidisciplinary team responsible for developing test concepts for hardware and bringing those concepts to life. You will be accountable for the design, analysis, development, fabrication, and maintenance of test equipment used across a wide range of applications—from rocket engines to structural airframe components. If you’re excited by solving complex, real-world problems and want to see your work directly enable cutting-edge aerospace hardware, this role offers a rare opportunity to make an immediate and meaningful impact. Join a team with backgrounds ranging from major aerospace firms and chemical plants to government organizations and small, hands-on shops, all driven by ownership, innovation, and technical excellence. ## What You’ll Get To Do - Develop test concepts and lead them through design, fabrication, commissioning, and operational support. - Design and analyze mechanical and fluid systems for propulsion and structural testing. - Generate and revise piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs) for new and existing test stands and modify supporting structures to meet evolving test requirements. - Operate and support testing involving inert gases, cryogenic fluids, fuels, and oxidizers. - Author detailed test procedures for new system testing and calibration of existing systems. - Review and analyze test data to identify anomalies, performance trends, and improvement opportunities. - Support assembly, troubleshooting, and maintenance of test systems. - Collaborate cross-functionally during live test operations to ensure safe and successful execution. - Work hands-on in the field to support fabrication, installation, and test stand upgrades. - Provide support or contribute to large-scale civil or infrastructure engineering projects. ## What You Have - Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related engineering discipline - 3+ years of experience in fluid systems, test stand design, or test engineering; in lieu of a degree, 7+ years of relevant hands-on test experience required - Strong understanding of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and structural fundamentals, with hands-on experience working in high-pressure and cryogenic system environments - Experience writing procedures for test operations, including loading propellant tanks, preparing for engine hot fires, getting the test stand into a safe configuration, etc. - Experience with analyzing data gathered from test stand instrumentation to make decisions on test stand issues or upgrades - Experience with designing mechanical hardware, including CAD work and structural/thermal analysis - Experience designing and integrating fluid system hardware, including: High-pressure tubing, pipe, vacuum-jacketed (VJ) tubing, and flex hoses; NPT, compression, and 37° flared fittings; Pressure regulators and backpressure regulators; Ball, needle, check, butterfly, and solenoid valves; Safety devices such as burst discs and relief valves; VFDs, AC/DC motors; Positive displacement and centrifugal pumps; Stored energy K-bottles and compressor systems - Working knowledge of instrumentation systems, including: Absolute, gauge, and differential pressure transducers; Thermocouples and RTDs; High-speed accelerometers; Load cells and strain-gauge–based sensors; Flowmeters; Mechanical limit switches; Power supplies - Demonstrated experience developing, updating, and maintaining Process & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) and associated test documentation to ensure technical accuracy and alignment with engineering requirements - Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within cross-functional team environments - Willingness and physical capability to support hands-on test operations, including working outdoors, lifting up to 40 pounds, and taking on additional responsibilities as needed to advance company objectives What Will Set You Apart - 5+ years of experience in a hardware testing environment - 5+ years of CAD modeling experience - 5+ years of fluid system design experience - Background in metal fabrication - Familiarity with hand tools and shop environments - Experience with tools such as: LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python, DIAdem; Confluence, Jira; Microsoft Office Suite or similar platforms - Experience with high-speed or transient data acquisition systems - Experience working in cryogenic or high-temperature test environments - Experience supporting hazardous test operations - Strong cross-functional communication during live test campaigns 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 - [Senior Manager of Manufacturing](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-manager-of-manufacturing-venus-aerospace-houston-v9nfawynvtp6) — Houston, TX - [Principal Propulsion Engineer  (PPMS)](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-propulsion-engineer-ppms-venus-aerospace-oceanside-h2w99rc1bry0) — Oceanside, CA - [Principal Propulsion Engineer (Liquid Rocket Engine Assembly RE)](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-propulsion-engineer-liquid-rocket-engine-assembly-re-venus-aerospace-g7y1ds0nxfdr) - [Instrumentation Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/instrumentation-engineer-venus-aerospace-houston-ta1tzb73aeps) — Houston, TX - [External Communications Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/external-communications-specialist-venus-aerospace-houston-02jm2ds6zrbn) — Houston, TX - [Embedded Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/embedded-software-engineer-venus-aerospace-houston-y7pnbsj1jsz9) — Houston, TX - [Senior Structures Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-structures-engineer-venus-aerospace-remote-8rhrrm5k8g4v) - [Aerospace Integration Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/aerospace-integration-technician-venus-aerospace-houston-6qyfz9fw5hne) — Houston, TX - [Network & RF Administrator](https://feeny.ai/job/network-rf-administrator-venus-aerospace-houston-31s287t44pnw) — Houston, TX - [Sr. Propulsion Engineer (PPMS Team)](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-propulsion-engineer-ppms-team-venus-aerospace-houston-c4f8gehr0ayd) — Houston, TX