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Venus Aerospace

Posted 3 months ago

Open

Test Engineer

HoustonOn-siteFull-time

AI Summary

Test Engineer helps design, analyze, fabricate, and support test systems for rocket engines and structural components, ensuring safe, reliable testing from concept to operation.

About this role

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

    • Skills

    CAD ModelingCryogenic And High-temperature Test EnvironmentsCryogenic SystemsData Acquisition SystemsDiademEngineering Documentation (P&IDs, Test Docs)Fluid Systems DesignHigh-pressure PipingInstrumentation Systems (transducers, Thermocouples, RTDs)LabVIEWMatlabP&IDs (Process & Instrumentation Diagrams)Pressure RegulatorsPumps (positive Displacement, Centrifugal)PythonSafety Devices (burst Discs, Relief Valves)Shop Fabrication And MetalworkingStructural/thermal AnalysisTest Procedure DevelopmentTest Stand Design And FabricationValves (ball, Needle, Check, Butterfly, Solenoid)VFDs And Motors

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