Principal Propulsion Engineer, UAS Systems at Atropos Group

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>About Us</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">We’re a combat-tested group of engineers, operators, and entrepreneurs who believe America’s edge depends on autonomous airpower that’s <strong>trusted and deployable today not in 2040.</strong> Backed by tier-one investors, we’ve secured the runway - financial, regulatory, and literal - to move at startup speed while tackling a national-security mission that matters. We’ve structured the company for&nbsp;<strong>radical ownership:</strong> no silos, no “systems integrator” overhead, just tightly knit mission-focused IPTs that live and breathe the hardware and code they ship.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">If you thrive where <strong>hard-tech ambition meets national-security urgency,</strong> you’ll build faster here than anywhere else. Let’s get after it.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Culture That Ships</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Strong Core Values, Startup Execution.</strong> Integrity, Service Before Self, Excellence, Honor, Courage, Commitment—powered by a bias for action and a “figure it out” mindset.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Self-Starters Only.</strong> You’ll have clear objectives, a blank sheet of paper, and the trust (plus capital) to move fast. Bureaucracy stays out of your way.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>One Team, No Tourists.</strong> Whether you’re tuning a control law at 2 a.m. or heat-treating a Ti-6Al-4V spar, everyone sweats the details. We celebrate wins together and own failures together.</span></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>What You'll Do</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Own the Propulsion Architecture</span> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Lead engine selection and sizing trades</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Define propulsion system architecture including nacelle, mounts, fuel, controls, and thermal integration</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Tie propulsion performance to mission modeling and aircraft-level requirements</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Drive Aircraft-Level Integration</span> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Lead engine-to-airframe integration across structures, aerodynamics, avionics, and autonomy</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Define propulsion interfaces and manage integration risks</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Partner cross-functionally to retire vibration, thermal, and installation risks early</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Lead OEM &amp; Supplier Engagement</span> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Serve as primary technical interface with engine OEMs</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Evaluate performance guarantees, integration constraints, and certification pedigree</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Ensure long-lead propulsion risks are proactively managed</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Enable Certification &amp; Airworthiness</span> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Support FAA and/or military airworthiness compliance strategy</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Contribute to propulsion-related hazard analyses and safety documentation</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Help shape the path from experimental testing to certified operations</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Support Test &amp; Validation</span> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Define propulsion ground and flight test instrumentation strategies</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Correlate models with test data</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Own performance validation against mission requirements</span></li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>What You’ll Bring</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Deep Propulsion Expertise</span> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">10+ years of experience in aircraft propulsion or propulsion integration</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Experience integrating turboprop and/or small turbofan engines</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Strong understanding of engine performance, SFC, installation effects, and mission sizing</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Aircraft-Level Systems Thinking</span> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Experience leading propulsion integration on a clean-sheet or major derivative program</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Working knowledge of structural loads, vibration, thermal management, and FADEC integration</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Comfort operating at aircraft architecture level, not just component level</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Technical Leadership</span> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Experience interfacing directly with engine OEMs or Tier 1 suppliers</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Ability to lead trade studies and defend architecture decisions at design reviews</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Strong written and verbal technical communication skills</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Analytical Rigor</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, or similar tools</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Experience correlating analytical models with ground or flight test data</span></li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Bonus Points</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">FAA Part 23 or Part 25 propulsion certification experience</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Military airworthiness or DoD program experience</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Experience with MBSE tools (e.g., Cameo)</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Experience integrating propulsion with autonomy or unmanned systems</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Flight test support experience</span></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Why You’ll Love Working Here (Compensation and Benefits)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Base Salary: $165,000 to 245,000 USD</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Atropos's total compensation package. Additionally, Atropos offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Platinum Healthcare Benefits:<strong> </strong>Atropos offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with 100% employer-paid premiums and little to no cost to you</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Basic Life/AD&amp;D and long-term disability insurance 100% covered by Atropos, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Unlimited PTO, with minimum of 15 days enforced</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">20 weeks of paid Caregiver &amp; Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Family Planning &amp; Parenting Support: Fertility (eg, IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy, life coaching, and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, available to you as well</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Tuition and professional development reimbursement for STEM, MBA, and licenses</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">In-Office Daily Lunch catered&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Company-funded child care stipend&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Company-funded commuter benefits available based on your region.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility).</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">401(k) retirement savings plan - both a traditional and Roth 401(k). 6% employer matching contribution</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Atropos is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Atropos team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you are someone who is interested in disrupting the way the Department of Defense buys and operates unmanned weapon systems, please apply!</span></p>