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Boom Supersonic · 1 month ago

Senior Propulsion Engineer – Bearing Mechanical Design

Centennial, CO

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$107K/yr - $135K/yr

5+ years exp

Boom Supersonic is focused on integrating rigorous engineering with innovative design to develop Symphony, a jet engine for sustainable supersonic flight. The Senior Propulsion Engineer will lead the design and development of bearing systems for aero gas turbine engines, ensuring reliability and performance under supersonic conditions.

AerospaceAir TransportationManufacturing

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Lead the design, sizing, and development of mainshaft and gearbox bearings for aero gas turbine engines, with a focus on life, load capacity, thermal behavior, and robustness under supersonic mission profiles

Define bearing architecture within the engine (sump layout, support arrangements, preload concepts, fits/clearances, and housings), ensuring compatibility with rotordynamic, structural, and thermal requirements across the operating envelope

Analyze bearing loads and environments using whole-engine rotordynamic and secondary air/oil models, ensuring appropriate margins against fatigue, skidding, smearing, cage distress, and lubrication breakdown

Collaborate closely with aerodynamics, structures, secondary air/oil, and test engineers to integrate bearing and sump module designs seamlessly into the Symphony propulsion system and overall aircraft installation

Develop and refine bearing lubrication and cooling strategies (oil supply, scavenging, jets, nozzles, heat rejection) to meet durability, efficiency, and certification-driven reliability goals

Define and execute bearing-focused test programs (rig, module, and engine-level), including test matrices, instrumentation needs, and acceptance criteria, to validate analytical predictions and accelerate design maturation

Lead failure investigations involving bearings and associated hardware (seals, sump structures, gears), driving data-based corrective actions that improve durability, reduce unplanned downtime, and protect fleet reliability

Qualification

Aero gas turbine bearingsBearing analysis methodsBearing simulation toolsTroubleshooting bearing issuesWhole-engine modelingCross-disciplinary team leadershipAnalytical skillsCuriosityDrive

Required

Develop and refine bearing lubrication and cooling strategies (oil supply, scavenging, jets, nozzles, heat rejection) to meet durability, efficiency, and certification-driven reliability goals

Deep expertise in aero gas turbine bearing technologies (ball, roller, angular contact, and damped bearing systems) with a track record of detailed design and successful deployment on flight or engine test hardware

Strong background in bearing analysis methods, including life/vibration/thermal assessment, internal load distribution, contact stress evaluation, and lubrication regime characterization for aviation gas turbines

Proficiency with bearing and rotordynamic simulation tools (e.g., Romax, SKF/Timken tools, XLTRC2/MADYN or similar), used to derive bearing loads, stiffness/damping characteristics, and stability margins

Proven ability to lead cross-disciplinary propulsion teams around bearing-centric work scopes, from concept and trade studies through detailed design, supplier engagement, rig/engine test, and certification support

Adept at troubleshooting bearing-related issues in test or service (e.g., elevated temperatures, vibration signatures, debris indications, cage/liner wear, spalling), and implementing robust design or operational mitigations

Experience with whole-engine structural, thermal, and secondary air/oil modeling in an aviation gas turbine context, with a clear understanding of how these models define the bearing operating environment and margins

Preferred

Primary engineering ownership of mainshaft or gearbox bearing systems on a turbofan, turbojet, turboshaft, or APU program, including responsibility for requirements, design, analysis, and qualification

Demonstrated experience developing or qualifying advanced bearing technologies for aerospace (e.g., hybrid ceramic bearings, specialized coatings, squeeze-film dampers, or integrated damped supports)

History of introducing new bearing analysis methods, design standards, or test approaches that materially reduced development time or improved durability for gas turbine rotating hardware

Strong first-principles analytical skills applied specifically to bearing and sump module challenges, coupled with a passion for solving complex durability and reliability problems in aviation propulsion

Direct involvement in FAR Part 33 (and/or CS-E) engine certification activities where bearing performance, life, or rotordynamics were key aspects of the compliance narrative

Experience with bearing supply chain and procurement for flight hardware, including writing technical specifications, evaluating vendor designs, supporting qualification plans, and maintaining strategic relationships with major bearing suppliers

Curiosity and drive to push the state of the art in bearing technology for next-generation supersonic and high-performance aero gas turbines