Propulsion Engineer, Combustion Devices (Preburners)

About Astrobase Space Technologies

Astrobase Space Technologies is an early-stage Bengaluru company building a two-stage orbital launch vehicle. Our engine is a LOX–methane full-flow staged-combustion engine. The Astrobase Propulsion team is looking for experienced and passionate professionals who can own the vehicle's stage fluid and propulsion systems from design to flight.

Key Responsibilities

• Design ownership of pre-combustion devices, continuous improvement
• Design the oxidiser-rich and fuel-rich preburners for FFSC engines: injector elements, chamber, igniter ports and hot-gas ducts to the turbines.
• Manage thermal, structural and stability analyses through start, steady and shutdown transients; set margins and life to NASA-STD-5012.
• Build CAD models and release drawings with GD&T for printed, machined and welded preburner parts.
• Create and own process for manufacturing, assembly and testing
• Plan water-flow, spray and igniter tests and component hot-fire, analyze test data and continuously improve designs.
• Define acceptance tests: proof, leak, flow check; Conduct ECR/ECO, NCR dispositions.
• Documentation, change management and hardware acceptance.

Desired Qualification

• B.E./B.Tech/M.E./M.Tech in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• Min. 5+ years designing and testing liquid rocket combustion devices.
• Hands-on work on preburners or gas generators for pump-fed engines, taken through hot-fire.
• Experience with cryogenic propulsion hardware (LOX, LCH4 or LH2).
• Injector analysis: element pressure drop, atomisation, mixing and c* efficiency.
• Advanced CAD/PLM: Siemens NX/Teamcenter, CATIA/3DEXPERIENCE or Creo/Windchill

Preferred Qualification

• Oxidiser-rich or full-flow staged-combustion hardware, through component or engine test.
• Reacting-flow CFD (Star-CCM+ or Fluent) and FEA (Ansys Mechanical or Abaqus).
• Torch or spark igniter design and start-sequence work with engine systems.
• Stability tools and high-frequency pressure data analysis.
• Design for additive manufacturing.

What We Offer

• Salary: ₹24–36 LPA fixed CTC, additional pay based on experience and role fitment.
• Attractive early-stage stock options (ESOPs).
• Group health insurance: employee, spouse, children and parents.
• Insurance: term-life and personal-accident cover.
• Work environment: Challenging, stimulating, research-driven work solving rocket problems every day with a great team. We have a good time, and unlimited coffee.

Why Work With Us?

At Astrobase, we believe in the power of human ingenuity and collaboration to push the boundaries of space exploration. As a team member, you'll be:

1. Creating History: Join us in developing cutting-edge launch vehicles, playing a pivotal role in transforming space access and shaping the future of space exploration.
2. Collaborating with Experts: Work alongside ISRO scientists and industry veterans with decades of experience in designing India's iconic space missions like Chandrayaan 3
3. Growth Opportunities: As Astrobase scales, you'll have the chance to take on leadership roles and be part of an expanding organization driving change in the Indian space sector.
4. Pioneering Space Technology: Your contributions will not only impact Astrobase but also influence the global space ecosystem. Be part of something larger than yourself.

Astrobase is an equal-opportunity employer; we hire on skills, merit and experience. Apply with your CV and a short note on combustion hardware you have designed, built or tested.