Senior Transmission Design Engineer

About the role

This role defines and validates high-speed power transmission for aerospace propulsion systems. The position directly shapes turboelectric engine configuration and performance. The candidate will own design and test activities across propulsion, aircraft, and test teams.

Software engineers turn product ideas into working code. Engineers work in small teams, review each other's work, and ship in small batches. Most teams follow agile practices such as sprints and daily standups. Engineers also write tests, fix bugs, and improve performance. The field values clear communication as much as technical skill. Engineers spend part of every week on planning, code review, and debugging, not just writing new code. The ability to explain a technical decision in plain words separates strong engineers from the rest.

Key facts

What you'll do

Custom shafts, bearings, housings, and lubrication systems are designed, and subsystem tests are established to validate component performance under operational conditions.

Test procedures are specified, and hardware behavior and performance are characterized through qualification test data analysis.

Instrumentation placement is defined with consideration for measurement constraints in high-speed conditions.

Hardware and software issues in transmission hardware are diagnosed, and corrective actions are executed to resolve performance and reliability issues.

Requirements

Hands-on transmission design and test experience from automotive, aerospace, or power generation applications is required for 5+ years.

Foundational understanding of rotordynamics, fatigue effects, lubrication systems, and transmission failure modes must be demonstrated.

Familiarity with test instrumentation, data reduction methods, and anchoring analysis results to experimental measurements is required.

Initiative is taken to drive continuous improvement beyond assigned tasks to refine designs and processes.

Flexibility to work within a fast-paced and high-growth aerospace context is required while maintaining strict attention to detail and high-quality standards.

Practical notes

The role requires in-office presence five days per week to support collaboration and culture.

US work authorization is required for this position.

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.

Good to know

Aerospace transmission design relies on precise modeling of dynamic behavior under high-speed conditions.

The role uses analysis tools such as KissSoft, Simcenter, SMT MASTA, and Ansys for simulation and validation.

Testing and measurement inform design decisions to ensure reliability of power transmission systems.

Systems thinking connects rotordynamics, lubrication, and mechanical interfaces in demanding aerospace applications.

Questions to ask

Good questions to ask the employer in the interview: what does success look like in the first six months, how is the team structured, what is the current biggest challenge, and how are decisions made. Asking about growth paths and the review process is also well received. Employers expect questions, and good ones show 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.

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.