Role
Sorian Aerospace is building autonomous supersonic aircraft for advanced training and test. Sandman is an unmanned supersonic trainer. Unforgiven is a fighter-class advanced trainer designed for piloted and unmanned operation. Both aircraft share a common foundation across autonomy, avionics, flight controls, and aircraft systems.
As Lead Propulsion Engineer, you’ll own propulsion-system architecture and aircraft integration across Sorian’s aircraft programs. You’ll define interfaces, manage performance, operability, thermal, controls, fuel, and reliability requirements, and lead testing from bench to flight.
This is a hands-on technical leadership role. You’ll lead by analyzing, building, testing, and resolving difficult system-level problems, then shape the propulsion team that follows.
Responsibilities
- Own propulsion-system architecture, requirements, interfaces, and aircraft integration
- Manage performance, operability, thermal, fuel, controls, and reliability requirements
- Lead ground and flight-test planning, instrumentation, execution, and data review
- Diagnose propulsion issues and drive root-cause analysis and corrective action
- Coordinate suppliers and technical partners while retaining system ownership inside Sorian
- Collaborate closely with structures, avionics, flight controls, systems, and manufacturing
- 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 reliable propulsion system supported by clear requirements and test evidence
- Establish an internal propulsion engineering and test capability for disciplined 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.