Senior Fluid Systems Engineer

About the role

The Senior Fluid Systems Engineer owns the thermal and fluid architecture for propulsion systems, directly influencing the configuration and performance of turboelectric adaptive jet engines. This position drives the design of efficient and accessible supersonic transport solutions that advance the company mission. The role requires deep analytical thinking to solve complex subsystem interactions and translate them into robust hardware architectures. You will act as a technical leader, ensuring that fluid systems meet stringent performance, reliability, and integration targets. Collaboration with cross-functional teams is essential to align fluid strategies with overall vehicle and system requirements. Success in this role is measured by the ability to deliver validated solutions that perform as predicted in real-world conditions. You will be responsible for defining the technical vision for fluid systems and mentoring less experienced engineers on best practices.

Key facts

What you'll do

Analyze the behavior of subsystems using modeling tools such as Amesim, Thermal Desktop, EES, and REFPROP to inform design decisions.

Design custom hardware and establish subsystem testing protocols that validate component performance against rigorous standards.

Characterize hardware behavior through test data analysis and verify alignment with predictive models to refine system architecture.

Define instrumentation placement while accounting for measurement limitations and system constraints to ensure data integrity.

Diagnose fluid system and control problems and execute corrective actions for timely resolution of performance issues.

Utilize P&ID diagrams and build 0D/1D thermal and fluid networks for gases and liquids during the system design phase.

Maintain detail orientation and high work quality while operating in a fast-paced, high-growth environment that demands adaptability.

Apply test instrumentation, data reduction techniques, and anchoring analysis to experimental results for design validation and iteration.

Collaborate with propulsion and thermal teams to integrate fluid systems with adjacent subsystems and optimize overall vehicle performance.

Champion best practices in documentation, traceability, and knowledge sharing to support long-term maintainability and scalability.

Drive innovation in fluid system design by exploring new configurations and technologies that enhance efficiency and reliability.

Ensure compliance with aerospace standards and regulatory requirements throughout the fluid systems development lifecycle.

Leverage first-principles reasoning and empirical data to resolve complex interactions between fluid flow, heat transfer, and system dynamics.

Act as a systems thinker, connecting high-level mission goals with detailed engineering implementations in fluid and thermal domains.

Serve as a technical authority within the organization, providing guidance on fluid systems strategy and resolving escalated challenges.

Requirements

Hands-on experience with fluidic and propulsion systems and with test operations in demanding environments spans five or more years in relevant applications.

Demonstrated foundational knowledge of fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and compressible flow relevant to aerospace applications in real-world scenarios.

Familiarity with fluid systems and instrumentation hardware, including pressure, temperature, flow meters, pumps, heat exchangers, valves, regulators, and pneumatics, is required for daily responsibilities.

Application of test instrumentation, data reduction, and anchoring analysis to experimental results for design validation is a core part of the role.

Use and interpretation of P&ID diagrams and the construction of 0D/1D thermal and fluid networks for gases and liquids are essential during system design activities.

Detail orientation must be maintained to ensure work quality remains high while operating in a fast-paced, high-growth environment that requires constant vigilance.

Active citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain secret clearance are mandatory for participation in sensitive aerospace projects.

Commitment to an inclusive mindset and adherence to Astro Mechanica's equal opportunity employment policies are expected of all team members.

Capacity to work effectively in a collaborative team setting while communicating technical concepts clearly and concisely in both written and verbal forms.

Readiness to engage in continuous learning and adapt to evolving technologies, tools, and methodologies within the aerospace fluid systems landscape.

Practical notes

citizenship and active secret clearance.

Astro Mechanica is an equal opportunity employer that recruits a diverse workforce and commits to an inclusive environment.

Typical interview steps

Hiring for engineering roles usually starts with a recruiter screen, followed by one or two technical rounds. Candidates often solve a coding problem, discuss past projects, and answer system design questions. Some loops include a take-home task. Final rounds typically cover team fit and give candidates a chance to ask questions. Interviewers look for how you break down an unfamiliar problem, not just whether you reach the answer. Practicing a few problems aloud and reviewing your own past projects are the best preparation.

Career growth

Engineering careers usually progress from individual contributor to senior, staff, and principal levels. Some engineers move into management and lead teams of five to twenty people. Others stay on the technical track. Growth follows demonstrated impact, not tenure alone. A typical engineering ladder has clear levels with defined expectations for scope, quality, and mentorship. Moving up usually requires owning outcomes end to end rather than completing assigned tickets.

Questions to ask

Worth asking in any interview: how the team measures success, who the role works with daily, what the onboarding looks like, and what the company is trying to achieve this year. Asking what past hires did well is a strong final question. Keep the list short and pick the questions that matter most to you.

About the company

Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company building a faster, more connected future. Our mission is to democratize high-speed flight by making supersonic travel flexible, accessible, and sustainable.