Overview Frontera Space is seeking a Hypersonic Air-Breathing Propulsion Responsible Engineer (RE) to serve as the technical owner and primary point of accountability for an advanced hypersonic propulsion system. The RE will own the propulsion system across its complete lifecycle, including propulsion architecture, inlet and flowpath integration, turbomachinery, combustion, fuel systems, thermal management, controls and instrumentation, performance, reliability, testing, qualification, vehicle integration, and flight operations. This role is responsible for the end-to-end technical integrity and flight readiness of the propulsion system, from requirements and architecture development through detailed design, component and subsystem testing, integrated propulsion testing, qualification, production, vehicle integration, and post-flight assessment. The ideal candidate is a hands-on propulsion engineer with strong experience in air-breathing propulsion, rocket propulsion, high-speed compressible flow, combustion, turbomachinery, thermal management, and integrated propulsion systems, with the judgment and leadership required to take full technical ownership of a flight propulsion system. This is a full-time, exempt, in-person position reporting to the Project Manager/Chief Engineer in the Austin, Texas area. What You'll Do Serve as the Responsible Engineer and accountable technical owner for advanced hypersonic air-breathing and rocket propulsion systems, from requirements definition through development, testing, qualification, integration, and flight operations. Own propulsion-system architecture, requirements, interfaces, performance, operating margins, reliability, verification, and technical risk. Lead the design, development, integration, and qualification of the complete air-breathing and rocket propulsion system, including: Inlet and high-speed flowpath integration Compressors, turbines, and associated rotating machinery Combustion systems, including air-breathing and rocket combustors/thrust chambers Rocket propulsion components, including injectors, feed systems, valves, pumps, and pressurization systems Fuel and propellant delivery and management systems Thermal management, regenerative cooling, and heat-exchanger systems Propulsion controls, instrumentation, and health monitoring Structural, thermal, and mechanical interfaces Air-breathing/rocket propulsion system integration and mode transitions Ground support, test, and flight interfaces Own propulsion technical decisions and lead trade studies balancing performance, operability, reliability, manufacturability, cost, schedule, and mission requirements. Define and approve component, subsystem, integrated propulsion, qualification, acceptance, and vehicle test requirements. Review and approve engineering analyses, drawings, test plans, procedures, test data, and technical reports supporting propulsion-system qualification and flight readiness. Lead propulsion test readiness and flight readiness assessments, including definition and disposition of operating limits, margins, and open technical risks. Correlate analytical and computational models with component, subsystem, integrated-system, and flight-test data and drive design changes where required. Lead root-cause investigations and corrective actions for propulsion-system anomalies and test failures. Own propulsion interfaces with vehicle structures, aerodynamics, avionics, GNC, software, thermal systems, electrical systems, ground systems, and flight operations. Support vehicle-level aerodynamic, trajectory, propulsion-performance, loads, thermal, mass-properties, and mission analyses. Provide real-time engineering support during propulsion testing, integrated vehicle testing, and flight operations. Lead post-test and post-flight performance reviews and drive required design or operational improvements. Provide technical direction to propulsion engineers and multidisciplinary teams while maintaining clear ownership of propulsion requirements, configuration, and technical decisions. Work closely with manufacturing, test, operations, supply chain, quality, and program leadership to deliver a qualified, producible, and flight-ready propulsion system. Communicate propulsion status, risks, margins, and major technical decisions to the Chief Engineer and company leadership. What Success Looks Like Success will be measured by the RE's ability to deliver a hypersonic air-breathing propulsion system that is: Safe, reliable, and flight-ready Fully verified against system and mission requirements Robust across the expected flight envelope, operating environments, and credible failure modes Manufacturable, testable, and maintainable Well characterized through analysis, component testing, integrated propulsion testing, and qualification Supported by clear requirements, configuration control, verification evidence, and technical documentation The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader and accountable system owner who can move effectively between first-principles engineering, detailed design, propulsion testing, vehicle integration, anomaly resolution, and flight-readiness decisions.

Employment Details Qualifications What We're Looking For:

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline. 2+ years of relevant aerospace propulsion or propulsion-system development experience, or equivalent demonstrated expertise. Experience developing air-breathing propulsion hardware or integrated propulsion systems through design, analysis, test, integration, and flight or operational deployment. Strong understanding of high-speed propulsion system architecture, including inlet/flowpath integration, compression systems, combustion, fuel delivery, thermal management, instrumentation, and controls. Experience with propulsion testing, instrumentation, data analysis, and failure or anomaly investigation. Demonstrated experience serving as a Responsible Engineer, technical owner, or equivalent engineering authority for a complex aerospace system or subsystem. Strong understanding of systems engineering, requirements management, verification and validation, configuration control, and technical risk management. Ability to independently review and approve engineering analyses, test plans, hardware configurations, and technical decisions. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Bonus Points Preferred Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field. Experience with high-speed or hypersonic air-breathing propulsion systems. Experience with turbomachinery, compressors, turbines, or integrated rotating machinery. Experience with combustion systems, fuel systems, and propulsion thermal management. Experience with high-speed compressible flow, inlet design, or propulsion-airframe integration. Experience with propulsion controls, instrumentation, health monitoring, or GNC and avionics interfaces. Experience with propulsion test facilities, component rigs, integrated engine testing, or flight testing. Experience with high-temperature materials, thermal protection, heat exchangers, or regenerative cooling systems. Experience with flight qualification, integrated vehicle testing, flight operations, or anomaly resolution. Familiarity with aerospace standards, system safety, flight safety, and applicable regulatory requirements. Experience working in a startup or rapidly scaling aerospace organization. Technical Skills Hypersonic air-breathing propulsion system architecture Inlet and high-speed flowpath integration Turbomachinery, compressors, turbines, and rotating machinery Combustion systems and fuel delivery High-speed compressible flow and propulsion performance Thermodynamics, heat transfer, and thermal management Propulsion controls, sequencing, and instrumentation Structural, thermal, electrical, avionics, and aerodynamic interfaces Propulsion-airframe integration System safety, reliability, and hazard management Requirements development and verification Test planning, integrated propulsion testing, and data analysis Failure analysis, anomaly resolution, and root-cause investigation Technical risk and configuration management Vehicle-level propulsion integration Working Conditions Export Control Eligibility Certain positions supported by this role may involve work subject to U.S. export-control laws and regulations. Candidates for those roles may be required to meet applicable U.S. export-control eligibility requirements. Equal Opportunity Employer Frontera Space is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment and consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information Why Join Us? Join Frontera Space at an early stage and help create a transformational aerospace platform designed to change how high-speed aircraft and access-to-space systems are developed, manufactured, and operated. You will have the opportunity to influence the vehicle architecture, solve foundational technical challenges, and see your work move rapidly from analysis and design into hardware, testing, and flight. As an early team member, you will take on broad ownership, help establish the engineering culture, and directly shape both the product and the company. Frontera Space offers meaningful equity participation and the chance to create lasting value while working on technology with the potential to redefine aerospace performance, affordability, and operational capability. This is an opportunity to do more than contribute to an established program—it is a chance to help build the vehicle, the team, and the company from the ground up.

Pay:

$98,568.00 - $147,852.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person