Heart Aerospace

Propulsion Test Engineer

Heart Aerospace · Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, CA $124K–$216K Posted 2026-06-18
Salary
$124K–$216K
Type
Full-time
Experience
2+ yr

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.

Your Mission

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.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Lead and execute system-level powertrain testing, including electric motor, inverter, gearbox, disconnect systems, and propeller subsystems.
  • Design and commission hybrid-electric propulsion test stands, HIL, and Digital Twin, including instrumentation, safety systems, control systems, and data acquisition.
  • Plan, execute, and document test campaigns to verify performance, safety, and certification compliance.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop test procedures and test plans for integrated propulsion systems.
  • Coordinate with suppliers and external labs to support component and system-level testing.
  • Analyze test data, prepare reports, and provide feedback to design teams for iterative development.
  • Support environmental, endurance, fault-injection, and compliance testing for certification readiness.

You'll Bring These Qualifications:

  • 2+ years of professional experience in powertrain, propulsion, or test engineering, with electric or ideally hybrid-electric systems.
  • Hands-on experience designing and operating powertrain or propulsion test stands with complex instrumentation and control.
  • Deep understanding of electric powertrains including motors, inverters, batteries, and thermal management systems.
  • Proficiency with data acquisition systems (e.g., dSPACE, NI, Dewesoft) and instrumentation (current/voltage sensors, thermocouples, strain gauges).
  • Experience developing automated test procedures and control scripts (e.g., Python, LabVIEW, or similar).
  • Strong analytical skills in interpreting test data and diagnosing system performance and failure modes.
  • Understanding of high voltage safety standards and procedures for testing environments.

These Qualifications Would Be Nice to Have:

  • Familiarity with aerospace certification requirements (EASA CS-23/25 or FAA FAR Part 23/25).
  • Experience with DO-160 or MIL-STD environmental test standards.
  • Experience with root cause analysis and tools such as DFMEA and fault tree analysis.
  • Background in hybrid propulsion systems or aerospace propulsion integration.

Education:

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace Engineering, or related fields.

Base Pay Range:

$124,000 — $216,000 USD

Python
$110K — 10th pctl $265K — 90th pctl
This role’s midpoint $170K vs. market median $180K for Engineering roles
~median
market rate
Based on 22,000+ Engineering roles with disclosed salary ranges tracked on NewJob.
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