Senior Propulsion Test Engineer (Aerospace)

Location: Onsite in Torrance, California, United States. The role supports propulsion test stand construction, commissioning, and recurring engine testing, with regular exposure to high-pressure fluid systems, aviation fuels, and active propulsion testing.

Salary: $172,179–$273,458 USD per year, with level-based ranges from E05 Senior Engineer through E07 Principal Engineer.

Company

Divergent develops integrated engineering and manufacturing systems for demanding automotive, aerospace, and defense applications.

What you will do

• Deliver propulsion test stands from concept through commissioning, including mechanical, fluid, controls, and instrumentation systems.
• Design structural hardware, high-pressure fluid systems, and facility equipment for safe and repeatable engine testing.
• Architect and integrate instrumentation, data acquisition, and control systems for reliable, flight-critical measurements.
• Lead assembly, first-flow activation, shakedown testing, procedure development, and propulsion test campaigns.
• Coordinate test readiness reviews covering safety, instrumentation, and operating limits.
• Partner with Performance Engineering and other technical teams to analyze results, resolve issues, and automate test operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience designing, building, commissioning, and operating complex propulsion or mechanical test systems.
• Strong knowledge of high-pressure fluid systems, instrumentation, sensor integration, signal conditioning, and high-speed data acquisition.
• Experience developing reliable, high-fidelity test data systems in accordance with ASME B31.3 or equivalent standards.
• Ability to collaborate with technical and functional teams before and during test events.
• Ability to lawfully access information and technology subject to U.S. export controls and work onsite in the United States.

Nice to have

• Experience testing turbomachinery, gas turbines, or jet engines.
• Experience with fiber-optic instrumentation, PLCs, industrial controls, automation, or integrated test control systems.
• Familiarity with vibration, NVH, propulsion performance characterization, and test data analysis.
• Experience in fast-paced R&D or first-of-a-kind hardware development environments.
• Collaborative leadership experience enabling multidisciplinary teams to deliver complex technical systems.

Culture & Benefits

• Collaborative, dynamic, and high-performing environment focused on innovation and technical excellence.
• Paid vacation, sick time, company holidays, and a year-end shutdown.
• Paid parental leave and comprehensive HMO or Premium PPO health coverage.
• Company-sponsored life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Equity plan, discretionary results-based incentive opportunities, and learning and development reimbursement.