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.