Head of Propulsion

Head of Propulsion About the Company Startup building an orbital-class reusable launch vehicle with strong institutional backing IndustryAviation & Aerospace TypePrivately Held About the Role The Company is seeking a Head of Propulsion to join their world-class team. The successful candidate will be responsible for setting and executing the technical direction and architecture of propulsion and vehicle fluid systems. This includes owning the development, qualification, production, flight, and reuse of the engine and stage fluid systems. The role demands a leader with a strong background in liquid bipropellant rocket engines, deep experience in combustion devices, and a working command of turbomachinery and complex fluid systems. The Head of Propulsion will also be tasked with building and leading a multidisciplinary propulsion organization, driving the design and integration of propulsion solutions, and ensuring a culture of extreme ownership and safety. Applicants for the Head of Propulsion position at the company should have a proven track record in the design, analysis, development, and operation of liquid bipropellant rocket engines, with a focus on both individual contribution and leadership. The role requires a candidate with a strong background in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and structural mechanics, and a hands-on approach to test and flight campaigns. Experience in startup environments, as well as a genuine cross-functional range, is essential. The ideal candidate will have a history of real ownership in failure investigation, a startup fluency, and the ability to interface with various stakeholders, including customers and government agencies, on propulsion certification and safety. While not mandatory, experience in reusable propulsion, clustered-engine or multi-engine stage, and familiarity with propulsion-related export control regimes is preferred. Functions Engineering