Staff Test Propulsion Engineer (Aerospace)

TL;DR

Staff Test Propulsion Engineer (Aerospace): Architecting, building, and operating propulsion test infrastructure for next-generation turbo machinery and jet engines with an accent on mechanical design, high-pressure fluid systems, and instrumentation integration. Focus on leading end-to-end test campaigns, ensuring safety and data integrity, and automating test operations to accelerate propulsion development.

Location: Must be based in Torrance, California, United States (Onsite)

Salary: $148,430 - $204,090 USD

Company

Divergent is a technology company that has developed the Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS), an end-to-end factory system using machine learning and additive manufacturing to produce complex vehicle structures for the automotive, aerospace, and defense sectors.

What you will do

• Deliver fully operational propulsion test stands from concept through commissioning.
• Design structural hardware, high-pressure fluid systems, and facility equipment for engine testing.
• Integrate instrumentation, DAQ, and control systems to provide high-fidelity test data.
• Lead assembly, shakedown testing, and safe execution of engine test campaigns.
• Partner with Performance Engineering to analyze results and resolve technical issues through root-cause investigation.
• Automate test operations to increase reliability, throughput, and operational efficiency.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience designing, building, and operating complex propulsion or mechanical test systems.
• Strong foundation in high-pressure fluid systems, instrumentation, and high-speed data acquisition.
• Ability to lawfully access information and technology subject to U.S. export controls.
• Must be able to work onsite in Torrance, California.

Nice to have

• Direct experience testing turbo machinery, gas turbines, or jet engines.
• Experience with advanced sensing technologies like fiber optic instrumentation.
• Familiarity with PLCs, industrial controls, and automation.
• Experience in fast-paced R&D or first-of-a-kind hardware development environments.

Culture & Benefits

• Competitive salary, equity plan, and discretionary results-based incentive bonuses.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits including HMO and Premium PPO options.
• Paid vacation, sick time, and company holidays with a year-end shutdown.
• Paid parental leave to support growing families.
• Reimbursement opportunities for professional learning and development initiatives.
• Collaborative, high-performing environment focused on disrupting traditional manufacturing.