NX Design Engineer - Gas Turbine Propulsion

Job Description

NX Design Engineer, Gas Turbine Propulsion

Orange County, CA • U.S. Persons Only

THE OPPORTUNITY

The company is developing compact gas turbine engines built to hit demanding performance targets at a fraction of the size and cost of legacy designs. This is a hands-on role for a design engineer who can take a mechanical design from a blank sheet through to a producible part - someone who is genuinely excellent at CAD (NX strongly preferred), with a real track record of designing complex mechanical assemblies, ideally backed by a portfolio or patents that show what they've owned. Direct experience with rotating machinery, turbomachinery, or jet engines is a real plus and helps you ramp quickly, but the core bar is CAD depth and assembly-design ownership in a lean, fast-moving environment where engineers cover more ground than they would at a larger company. No new-grad or intern-level openings at this time. Must be a U.S. person.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Own engine components from initial concept through sustained production support
  • Work within a lean, high-ownership team building propulsion hardware at production scale
  • Create 3D geometry and complete mechanical assemblies for engine components, including rotating assemblies
  • Optimize designs for thrust-to-weight ratio and manufacturability (DFx)
  • Support structural analysis, fatigue modeling, and life estimation as needed, partnering with the analysis team where appropriate
  • Collaborate closely with other engineers and the manufacturing team to refine designs for production

QUALIFICATIONS

Required
  • Expert-level proficiency in CAD tools such as NX, SolidWorks, CREO, CATIA, Onshape, Fusion 360, or Polyworks (NX strongly preferred)
  • 5-7+ years designing complex mechanical assemblies in a professional engineering environment - turbomachinery, jet engine, or high-speed rotating machinery experience is valued but not the only path in
  • Demonstrated ownership of designs from concept through production, ideally supported by a portfolio or patents
  • Experience with the materials, alloys, and manufacturing methods relevant to precision mechanical components
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, resource-constrained team environment, wearing multiple hats

Preferred
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (or equivalent practical experience)
  • Direct experience with jet turbines, UAS platforms, or other directly relevant propulsion programs
  • Hands-on experience running cold-flow and hot-fire testing on experimental turbomachinery hardware
  • Experience with turbomachinery test rig development
  • Familiarity with Teamcenter or Windchill

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary range of $150,000-$180,000 USD (final amount dependent on a variety of factors). All roles include a generous equity package plus:
  • Comprehensive platinum-tier medical, dental, and vision coverage at no cost to the employee
  • Basic Life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance, fully covered by the company
  • Unlimited PTO
  • On-site lunch and a fully stocked kitchen
  • Relocation assistance available depending on role eligibility
  • 401(k) Savings Plan