Role

Sorian Aerospace is building a high-performance fighter-class jet for adversary air (Red Air) missions and advanced pilot training. The goal: deliver the maneuverability, integrated electronic warfare, BVR targeting, autonomous flight, CCA interoperability, and flight experience of front-line fighters — at a fraction of the cost. As Lead Propulsion Engineer, you’ll own the design, development, and integration of the propulsion system. You’ll select the engine, define interfaces, manage performance and reliability targets, and lead testing from bench to flight. You’ll be responsible for getting thrust on the vehicle — and making sure it works under pressure. This is a hands-on role with clear ownership. You won’t manage a large team at the start — you’ll lead by building, testing, and proving the system works. As the program scales, you’ll shape the propulsion team that follows.

Responsibilities

Own propulsion system design from concept through flight testing
Select and integrate off-the-shelf or modified engines into the vehicle
Define engine interfaces, fuel systems, and control architectures
Lead ground and flight test campaigns to validate performance and reliability
Diagnose engine issues and drive tuning, startup, and failure recovery
Collaborate closely with structures, avionics, and systems teams to ensure tight integration
Build and mentor a small team of high-agency engineers as the program scales

Requirements

5–8 years of experience designing, integrating, and testing jet or turbine engines
Strong working knowledge of turbomachinery, thermodynamics, combustion, and control systems
Direct experience with engine startup, tuning, and test campaign execution
Track record of building and shipping flight-ready hardware under fast timelines
U.S. citizenship or permanent residency required

Results

Deliver a propulsion system that meets spec and flies reliably
Establish an in-house propulsion test capability for fast iteration
Create a culture of technical depth, urgency, and ownership on the propulsion team

Availability

Full-time, based in Long Beach, CA
Evenings and weekends may be required during engine development and flight test campaigns

Compensation Range

$250,000–$300,000 base salary

generous equity
complete healthcare benefits for you and your dependents

Company Core Values

We run it hotter. We run it faster.
We challenge assumptions, move quickly, and prioritize execution over hierarchy.
We value engineers who take ownership, solve hard problems, and deliver working systems. To apply: Email your resume and a brief summary of the hardest thing you’ve ever worked on, why you cared, and whether it was worth it to propulsion@sorianaero.com or click the “Apply Now” button below.

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