Head of propulsion - Naples

Overview

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

Working alongside the Chief Scientific Officer, you will be responsible for leading 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 be leading related R&D activities for all applications including in-space propulsion.

Your mission defines technological development related to the combustion process. Under your leadership, the Naples propulsion team 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.

The projects you will be leading 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 your team and your product from scratch to qualification and exploitation.

Your key responsibilities

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

• Lead the design team 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, also defining the test strategy for this research model.
• Manage the collaboration with leading research organisations such as CIRA (IT), 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, as well as strategic long-term topics.
• Pioneer key design features of the autophage architecture, defining further development and testing activities as well as high-level partnerships necessary for the tech to reach orbit.
• Collaborate closely with all executives and engineering leads across both offices (IT and FR) to integrate your team into the technical development roadmap and business strategy. Frequent travels between the two offices and the various test sites is expected.

What we would appreciate most

Experience:

• 8 to 15 years of experience on similar projects.
• Experience in leading a hybrid rocket engine development program at any scale.
• Experience as technical lead in a commercial rocket engine development project.
• Experience leading a 5-10 people engineering team.

Education:

• Engineering degree in Aerospace or PhD on hybrid rocket propulsion.

Skills:

• Leadership and communication skills with a small-sized engineering team.
• Expertise in complex project management and Agile frameworks in the context of engine development.
• Mastery of safety processes applied to space propulsion.
• Mastery of internal combustion processes relevant for hybrid propulsion (diffusion-limited combustion theory, atomisation, erosive combustion).
• Deep understanding of complex physical phenomena: pyrolysis, ablation, coupled heat transfer.
• Experience with cryogenics and liquid oxygen systems.
• Professional English required. Italian and/or French greatly 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, we rely on your capacity to find new approaches in order to define the future of propulsion technology.
• You lead your own way. Each member owns designs and ideas, we all take chances. As Head of Propulsion in small company, your impact is significant in all aspects of the startup, from long term roadmap orientation and priorities, to hiring and engineering.
• 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.

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