Turbomachinery Engineer

About Astrobase Space Technologies

Astrobase is a pioneering spacetech startup founded by prominent Senior ISRO scientists and IIT Bombay alumni with over 20 years of experience in designing, manufacturing, testing and flying advanced Cryogenic Launch Vehicles. Driven by a vision to make India a Space tech powerhouse, we are developing innovative launch vehicles that will transform space exploration.

Role Overview

We are hiring 3–4 Turbomachinery Engineers to join our Turbomachinery Department. Each engineer will work on the activities below, with a primary focus on one area (pump and turbine design, rotordynamics, or integration and testing) and contribute across all three.

1. Pump and Turbine Design

• Drive pump design for head, efficiency and suction performance.
• Own axial thrust balancing of the pump, including balance features and validation through test.
• Drive turbine design (nozzles, rotor blades and manifolds) for power and efficiency.
• Maintain the design baseline: 1-D meanline models, performance predictions and design records.
• Provide inputs to CFD and FEA to analyze flow paths and stresses, and confirm design margins.
• Correlate test data with predictions and update models to match.
• Find root causes of performance gaps and turn them into design improvements.
• Own and present the design at PDR, TDR and VDR, including release for manufacturing.
• Take part in cold-flow and hot-fire test campaigns.

Required Qualifications (Pump and Turbine Design)

• 2–5 years in pump or turbine design; graduates with strong turbomachinery thesis or project work will be considered.
• Strong grasp of pump and turbine fundamentals: velocity triangles, specific speed, meanline design, performance maps, cavitation and axial thrust.
• Hands-on experience with CFD (ANSYS CFX, Fluent or STAR-CCM+) and FEA for turbomachinery components.
• Experience comparing analysis or test data with predictions using Python or MATLAB.
• CAD and GD&T skills.

Preferred Qualifications (Pump and Turbine Design)

• Turbomachinery design tools (AxSTREAM, CFturbo, ANSYS BladeModeler/Vista or Concepts NREC).
• Understanding of how pump and turbine design drives axial thrust and rotor loads.
• Pump or turbine test-rig experience.

2. Rotordynamics

• Own rotordynamics of the turbopumps, including shaft, bearing and seal characteristics, stiffness and damping.
• Analyze critical speeds, mode shapes, Campbell diagrams and stability.
• Support cold-flow and hot testing of turbopumps, including vibration data analysis.
• Support modal analysis and vibration testing, correlating analysis with experimental data.
• Collaborate with turbomachinery design, mechanical design and test engineering teams.

Required Qualifications (Rotordynamics)

• Strong fundamentals in rotordynamics, mechanical vibrations and structural dynamics.
• Understanding of bearings, seals, shaft design and rotor-support systems.
• Knowledge of Campbell diagrams, critical speeds, mode shapes and stability analysis.
• Understanding of rotor balancing, unbalance response and instability mechanisms.
• Familiarity with ANSYS Rotordynamics or equivalent.
• Proficiency in Python for engineering calculations and data analysis.

3. Integration and Testing

• Plan, prepare and execute on-ground testing of turbopumps through cold-flow, spin tests and hot-fire support.
• Lead mechanical integration of turbopumps with feed systems, test stands and engine assemblies.
• Perform and verify static and dynamic rotor balancing.
• Follow and improve assembly procedures, torque specifications, cleanliness standards and inspection checklists.
• Analyze test data and support anomaly investigations.
• Work with design, manufacturing and quality teams to close out non-conformances.
• Maintain test documentation, assembly records and traceability.

Required Qualifications (Integration and Testing)

• 2–5 years of experience in turbomachinery or rotating equipment.
• Hands-on experience with ground testing, test stand operations and instrumentation.
• Working knowledge of rotor dynamics and balancing requirements.
• Familiarity with assembly standards including torque control, fits and tolerances, bearing and seal installation.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and apply GD&T.
• Experience with vibration analysis and data acquisition systems.
• Comfortable working on the shop floor and at test sites.

Across All Roles

• Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or equivalent.
• 0–5 years in turbomachinery or high-speed rotating machinery, plus area-specific requirements.
• Fresh graduates with strong fundamentals and relevant projects are welcome.
• Python or MATLAB for engineering calculations and data analysis.
• Strong documentation habits and attention to detail.

Good to Have

• Liquid rocket engine turbopump experience, especially with cryogenic propellants.
• Knowledge of safety protocols for high-pressure and hazardous test environments.
• Experience in aerospace, rocket propulsion, gas turbines or industrial pumps.

Work Environment

• This role combines office-based engineering work with regular travel to assembly and testing sites.

Why Work With Us

• Creating History: Join us in developing cutting-edge launch vehicles.
• Collaborating with Experts: Work alongside ISRO scientists and industry veterans.
• Growth Opportunities: Take on leadership roles in an expanding organization driving change in the Indian space sector.
• Pioneering Space Technology: Your contributions will influence the global space ecosystem.