Principal Turbomachinery Engineer
Propulsion - Villeneuve, CH
The position
- Crew
- Propulsion
- Location
- Villeneuve, CH
- Type of contract
- Full-time
Your role
The PAVE kick stage will be capable of transferring satellites of more than 4 tonnes from LEO or GTO to GEO in under 24 hours.
As we advance the development of our 45 kN rocket engine, we are looking for a Principal Turbomachinery Engineer to lead the design and development of our pump and turbine systems. You will be responsible for building and guiding the turbomachinery function, from early architecture and sizing through detailed design, manufacturing, and testing.
This is a unique opportunity to own a critical subsystem and shape the performance of our propulsion system from the ground up.
You will own
What we are looking for
Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (or equivalent experience).
Extensive experience (5+ years) in turbomachinery design, ideally for rocket engines, aerospace, or high-performance industrial applications.
Strong proficiency in CAD tools (NX, CATIA, Solidworks).
Strong knowledge of pump and turbine design, including rotordynamics, cavitation, and performance mapping.
Experience with FEA and CFD tools for turbomachinery analysis.
Solid understanding of fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer.
Experience with high-speed rotating machinery, bearings, and seals.
Proven track record in leading engineering projects or teams.
Familiarity with manufacturing methods and test validation of turbomachinery components.
Excellent communication skills and ability to thrive in a dynamic, growing startup.
Clear and effective English communication skills (French is a plus).
If you’re ready to tackle this unique and exciting challenge and participate in the development of a next generation green propellant engine, join us at PAVE Space.
We are a fully on-site company, and all roles require daily in-person work at our office in Villeneuve (VD)
You will fit if
Passionate about rocket propulsion and turbomachinery design.
A strong technical leader, capable of driving complex system development.
Analytical and detail-oriented, with a focus on performance, efficiency, and reliability.
Hands-on mindset, willing to engage in design, testing, and troubleshooting.
Comfortable taking full ownership of turbomachinery development.
Effective communicator, able to coordinate across propulsion, structures, and test teams.
Thrives in a fast-paced startup environment with high responsibility.
A rare opportunity to lead the development of rocket engine turbomachinery in a Swiss space-tech startup.
Ownership of a mission-critical propulsion subsystem.
Hands-on involvement from concept design to hot-fire testing.
Collaboration with experts in propulsion, structures, fluidics, and testing.
A dynamic startup environment with direct impact on company success.
Significant technical and leadership growth opportunities.