Propulsion Test Engineer

Heart Aerospace is an electric aviation company focused on electrifying regional air travel through the development of battery-electric aircraft. The company is designing the ES-30, a 30-seat electric regional aircraft intended to serve short-haul routes with zero CO2 emissions, offering airlines a fundamentally lower-cost operating model compared to conventional turboprop or jet aircraft. Heart Aerospace also operates the X1 experimental aircraft as part of its development program to validate core technologies ahead of the ES-30's entry into service. The company's mission is centered on decarbonizing aviation, starting with regional routes where electric propulsion is most technically and economically viable. By targeting short-distance air travel, Heart Aerospace aims to eliminate direct carbon emissions on these segments while making regional connectivity more affordable for both operators and passengers. The company has secured investment from leading venture capital firms aligned with electrification and decarbonization goals, as well as strategic investments from major airlines that have also signed on as early customers. Heart Aerospace was founded in Sweden and has established a presence in the United States, with its listed address in Torrance, California. The company represents a new generation of aerospace manufacturers betting that advances in battery technology and electric drivetrains can transform commercial aviation, beginning with the regional segment where routes are short enough to make today's battery energy density practical.

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.