Associate Scientist - Propulsion (Bipropellant)

We are looking for a Propulsion Engineer responsible for the design, development, testing, integration, and qualification of bi-propellant propulsion systems for aerospace applications. The role requires hands-on involvement in laboratory and test-stand work (cold-flow through hot-fire), system integration, data analysis, and technical documentation, while working closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Qualifications

• B.E./B.Tech or M.E./M.Tech in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
  
• 2+ years of relevant experience in propulsion system design, testing, hands-on hardware work.
  

Responsibilities

• Assist in the design and development of bi-propellant propulsion subsystems and associated components (injectors, feed systems, valves, thrust chambers).
  
• Support propulsion system architecture development, component selection (valves, regulators, sensors etc.), and performance evaluation for self-pressurizing propellant systems.
  
• Perform system-level and component-level cold-flow and hot-fire testing and qualification activities.
  
• Assist in assembly, integration, and checkout of propulsion subsystems for experimental and pre-flight/flight applications.
  
• Support hot-fire testing of bi-propellant thrusters across the product family.
  
• Perform instrumentation setup, sensor integration (pressure transducers, load cells, thermocouples), calibration, and test equipment handling.
  
• Conduct test preparation, execution, and troubleshooting, including feed-system and valve-actuation control.
  
• Perform post-processing and analysis of propulsion test data.
  
• Maintain technical documentation, test reports, qualification records, and configuration documentation.
  
• Coordinate with mechanical, electrical, avionics, manufacturing, and systems teams for subsystem integration.
  
• Follow laboratory safety procedures and quality standards during testing operations, including safe handling of pressurized oxidizer/fuel systems.
  

Requirements

• Sound understanding of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, gas dynamics, heat transfer, and rocket propulsion fundamentals.
  
• Experience working on bipropellant/liquid propulsion systems, injector design, and feed-system architecture.
  
• Worked on rocket engine plumbing and P&ID development/interpretation.
  
• Hands-on experience with fluid systems, including high-pressure fluid systems, valves, regulators, and pressurization/feed systems.
  
• Proficient in CAD (SolidWorks), CAE, and CFD (ANSYS Fluent).
  
• Knowledge of engineering calculations and propulsion performance analysis, applied to real test data.
  
• Exposure to manufacturing processes for propulsion system components.
  
• Familiarity with high-temperature materials used in propulsion applications.
  
• Ability to work in laboratory and hands-on hardware testing environments, including pressurized propellant systems.
  
• Experience preparing test procedures, test plans, checklists, and post-test reports.
  
• Strong understanding of test safety and pressure-system hazards.
  
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with experience troubleshooting test-system anomalies.
  
• Good technical documentation and reporting skills.
  
• Ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
  

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with LabVIEW and data acquisition systems.
  
• Knowledge of MATLAB, Python, or similar engineering tools.
  
• Knowledge of self-pressurizing/blowdown propellant systems or saturated-liquid propellants.
  
• Familiarity with valve actuation and control systems (solenoid/motorized valves, servo control).
  
• Knowledge of vacuum systems, thrust measurement techniques, and spacecraft propulsion systems.
  
• Experience developing automated test sequences, control logic, interlocks, permissives, and abort logic.
  
• Understanding of aerospace system integration and qualification processes.