Senior Turbomachinery Engineer - Designer

About the role

This role focuses on the detailed component and system level design of rocket turbopumps, including 3D CAD models, fabrication drawings, mean-line analysis, seals and bearings specifications. The successful candidate will ensure designs are manufacturable, lightweight, and perform optimally.

Responsibilities

• Produce and rapidly iterate conceptual designs in CAD for pump and turbine components and assemblies, resulting in a converged turbopump conceptual architecture ready for PDR and downstream analysis, manufacturing, and test integration.
• Create drawing packages and technical reports, ensuring clear, release-ready documentation that supports manufacturing, quality, and test execution.
• Identify and solve technical challenges promptly to prevent design, manufacturing, or test issues from becoming schedule or performance risks.
• Mentor junior engineers, raising overall design quality, technical rigor, and consistency while accelerating the development of future turbomachinery technical leaders.
• Define design requirements with seals and bearings specifications ensuring reliable operation across thermal, pressure, and rotodynamic regimes while reducing risk during fabrication, assembly, and test.
• Support cold flow testing in the lab, hot fire testing on the test stand, and integrated tests on the vehicle, enabling rapid issue identification, design closure, and validation of turbopump performance under representative operating conditions.
• Engage with the fabrication team on tooling and integrations, resulting in first-pass build success and reduced tooling, assembly, and integration risk.
• Develop test plans, monitor test activities, and document test data, ensuring test objectives are met, results are traceable, and data can be used to validate designs and drive informed design decisions.

Requirements

• Mechanical, mechatronic, or Aerospace engineering degree
• 6 years design experience
• CAD software proficiency in NX, CREO, or Solidworks
• Turbine and pump mean line design experience

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to work in fast-paced, high-accountability environments
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Organized, detail-oriented approach to work and documentation
• Ability to learn new tools, systems, or domains as needed

Skills

• Experience in high-growth, startup, or technically complex environments
• Proven track record of pump, turbine, or integrated turbopump for aerospace systems

Benefits

LEAP provides a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, including:

• Equity Program: Performance-based equity plan with case-by-case allocations
• Retirement Planning: Competitive 401(k) plan with company matching
• Growth Opportunities: Professional development stipend for skill advancement
• Flexible Time Off: Unlimited PTO, generous holiday breaks, two week-long company winter shutdowns, and paid leave for family care, parental bonding, or personal health needs
• Remote Work Flexibility: Hybrid work model with specific details on work location
• Health Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with options for dependents and HSAs
• Insurance Coverage: Basic life and long-term disability insurance with additional coverage options

Pay

Salary Range: $140,000 - $215,000

The final offer depends on factors such as work experience, education, training, key skills, and business needs. In addition, LEAP provides a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, including:

• Equity Program: Equity plan participation is available to all employees following an initial 90-day employment period and is performance-based. Equity allocations are determined on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed. Managers may make recommendations based on individual and team performance. All equity grants are subject to executive review and approval in accordance with the Company’s equity plan.
• Retirement Planning: Save for the future with a 401(k) plan that includes competitive company matching.
• Growth Opportunities: Take advantage of a professional development stipend to advance your skills and expertise.
• Flexible Time Off: We encourage taking time off when you need it. Our policy includes unlimited PTO, generous holiday breaks, two week-long company winter shutdowns, and paid leave for family care, parental bonding, or personal health needs.
• Remote Work Flexibility: Our team operates on a hybrid model. We expect you to work with your team for specific details on work location.
• Health Benefits: LEAP provides comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage at minimal to no cost for employees. Coverage for dependents and HSA are also available.
• Insurance Coverage: We cover basic life and long-term disability insurance, with options to add extra coverage to ensure peace of mind for you and your family.