Overview

By joining Alpha Impulsion as a hybrid propulsion engineer in the Naples office, you will play a key role in the development of our research model for our launcher GARNET.

Reporting to the Chief Scientific Officer, you will be responsible for the design of the autophage hybrid rocket engine test model and the development of new concepts to bring the autophage launcher to life. You will also contribute to internal R&D activities for all applications including in-space propulsion.

Your mission defines technological development related to the combustion process. You will optimise the system architecture and elevate autophage propulsion toward flight performance. You will drive propulsive test definition, build a unique rocket engine, prepare the company for launcher development, and contribute to the hybrid propulsion research field, publishing your results.

Your first project here

Alpha Impulsion is beginning the development of a research engine and propulsion test bench as part of a major contract with the Campania region. Its goal is to enable the development of our launcher engine, and the results of this activity might change the way mini-launchers are built, demonstrating performance up to twice that of current propulsion technologies. You will embark on a young project, with the opportunity to build it from start to qualification and exploitation.

Your key responsibilities

As part of your missions, you will be entrusted with the following responsibilities:

Lead the design of Alpha Impulsion’s newest firing test model, from Phase A to manufacturing readiness and further, to lead to performance improvement of autophage propulsion for launchers and in-space systems, also writing the test plan for this research model.
Build and improve 0D and 1D thermo-mechanical behaviour models to predict operating regimes and identify critical areas, backing this work with flow heat transfer analysis and CFD.
Collaborate closely with leading research organisations such as CIRA, ONERA (FR), and DLR (DE) for the modelling and prediction of combustion regimes found in hybrid rocket engines, at the forefront of research in this field.
Study and model advanced physical phenomena such as engine dynamics, combustion instabilities, fuel grain pyrolysis, regression improvement techniques.
Conduct sensitivity analyses on key design features of the autophage architecture and define test specimens to advance performance modelling verification.
Collaborate closely with engineering teams (systems, materials, mechanics, propulsion) in both offices (IT and FR) to integrate your results into product design.

What we would appreciate most

Education:

Engineering degree in Aerospace or PhD on hybrid rocket propulsion.

Experience:

At least three years of experience, ideally on similar projects.
Experience in the analysis of a hybrid rocket engine.
Experience with both a research environment and a system development project.

Skills:

Mastery of internal combustion processes relevant for hybrid propulsion (diffusion-limited combustion theory, atomisation, erosive combustion).
Understanding of complex physical phenomena: pyrolysis, ablation, coupled heat transfer.
Applied knowledge of 0D / 1D thermo-mechanical analyses.
Knowledge of FEM methods (SimCenter) and/or CFD (StarCCM+).
Knowledge of measurement methods in use in rocket propulsion. Experience with optical access appreciated.
Sensitivity to safety processes applied to space propulsion.
Analytical skills, scientific rigor, and ability to report in traceable technical documentation.
Comfortable with project management and Agile frameworks.
Professional English required. Italian and/or French appreciated.

Why you should join us

Why we think you will enjoy working with us, what makes Alpha Impulsion unique:

We are building something that does not exist. No amount of technical experience can answer all questions. When tests and feedback are the only path forward, you will find new approaches and define the future of propulsion technology.
Your work is your own. Each member owns designs and ideas, we all take chances. You are the one to solve the problem, because it’s yours to begin with. You have a significant input in all aspects of your mission, from concept to design to method to test and lessons learned.
We have a driving mission. It keeps us strong and united. “Clean and personalised access to space for everyone” is, for sure, the tenth time today that you read an attempt to say “democratising space” elegantly. Our difference: we are making a technological bet to halve environmental impacts of propulsion and divide by six its cost, while preventing orbital debris at the source. Not convinced? Look for our conference papers.

Compensation

Base salary negotiable based on experience. Additionally, we offer a competitive compensation package including meal vouchers and additional benefits to be discussed.

If you thrive on challenge, take on a new one and join the crew.

Hybrid propulsion engineer

Lead the scale-up of autophage propulsion, applying your hybrid rocket motor expertise to reach full-scale firing tests.