Propulsion Test Engineer

<p>At Heart Aerospace we develop the ES-30, a regional hybrid-electric airplane with a capacity of 30 passengers, an electric zero-emission range of 200 km and an extended hybrid range of 400 km. Heart is targeting type certification of the ES-30 by the end of the decade.</p> <p><strong>Your Mission</strong></p> <p>We are seeking a Propulsion Engineer to join our Dynamic Propulsion team in Torrance, CA. You will lead the testing, validation and certification of the aircraft’s hybrid-electric powertrain system. You will also interface across mechanical, thermal, propulsion, actuation, avionics, and battery teams to develop, execute, and analyze integrated system-level tests of the Electric Propulsion Unit (EPU) and its subsystems.</p> <p><strong>Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Lead and execute system-level powertrain testing, including electric motor, inverter, gearbox, disconnect systems, and propeller subsystems.</li> <li>Design and commission hybrid-electric propulsion test stands, HIL, and Digital Twin, including instrumentation, safety systems, control systems, and data acquisition.</li> <li>Plan, execute, and document test campaigns to verify performance, safety, and certification compliance.</li> <li>Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop test procedures and test plans for integrated propulsion systems.</li> <li>Coordinate with suppliers and external labs to support component and system-level testing.</li> <li>Analyze test data, prepare reports, and provide feedback to design teams for iterative development.</li> <li>Support environmental, endurance, fault-injection, and compliance testing for certification readiness.</li> </ul> <p><strong>You'll Bring These Qualifications:</strong></p> <ul> <li>2+ years of professional experience in powertrain, propulsion, or test engineering, with electric or ideally hybrid-electric systems.</li> <li>Hands-on experience designing and operating powertrain or propulsion test stands with complex instrumentation and control.</li> <li>Deep understanding of electric powertrains including motors, inverters, batteries, and thermal management systems.</li> <li>Proficiency with data acquisition systems (e.g., dSPACE, NI, Dewesoft) and instrumentation (current/voltage sensors, thermocouples, strain gauges).</li> <li>Experience developing automated test procedures and control scripts (e.g., Python, LabVIEW, or similar).</li> <li>Strong analytical skills in interpreting test data and diagnosing system performance and failure modes.</li> <li>Understanding of high voltage safety standards and procedures for testing environments.</li> </ul> <p><strong>These Qualifications Would Be Nice to Have:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Familiarity with aerospace certification requirements (EASA CS-23/25 or FAA FAR Part 23/25).</li> <li>Experience with DO-160 or MIL-STD environmental test standards.</li> <li>Experience with root cause analysis and tools such as DFMEA and fault tree analysis.</li> <li>Background in hybrid propulsion systems or aerospace propulsion integration.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Education:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace Engineering, or related fields.</li> </ul> <div class="title"><strong>Base Pay Range:&nbsp;</strong></div> <div class="pay-range"><strong>$124,000<span class="divider">—</span>$216,000 USD</strong></div> <p>&nbsp;</p>