Design, analyze, build, and test liquid-fueled rocket-engine turbopumps from concept through flight. Responsibilities include impeller, inducer, diffuser, flowpath, CFD, structural, thermal, rotordynamic, axial-thrust, and secondary-flow analysis. The role develops predictive models and automation tools, supports manufacturing and testing, integrates turbopumps with engine systems, and presents technical findings. A master’s degree, turbomachinery or pump experience, CAD capability, strong engineering fundamentals, and willingness to work extended schedules and travel for testing are required.
ABOUT
Agnikul Cosmos is a company incubated at IIT Madras and we build rockets that can take satellites up to 500 kg to Lower Earth Orbit (LEO). In May 2024, we successfully completed our maiden launch from our own launchpad (India's first private launchpad). The launch has proven all the new technologies developed by Agnikul and also earned recognition from Honourable Prime Minister of India.
What it Takes
- If you hear “blade runner” and picture an impeller, this is for you
- If you can look at a head-flow curve and tell whether the pump is happy or about to cavitate, this is for you
- If you think the best CFD result is the one that matches the water-flow test and the hot-fire data, this is for you
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Design, analyze, build and test fluid aspects of flight turbopumps for liquid-fueled rocket engines, taking designs from concept to flight and owning every aspect of the turbomachinery design.
- Perform hydrodynamic sizing & flowpath design of impellers, inducers and diffusers, including high-power, low-flow-rate pumps, using meanline analysis and CFD.
- Run coupled aerodynamic/hydrodynamic and mechanical design, with detailed structural, thermal and life analysis of all turbopump components and assemblies.
- Own secondary flow analysis & axial thrust balance modeling to ensure hardware meets performance targets.
- Develop first-principles-based models, simulations and quick-estimate tools to predict turbopump performance and operability, and explore innovative concepts that push the state of the art.
- Work with manufacturing & assembly teams so that designs are producible, low in cost and weight, and quick to build, and drive manufacturing improvements
- Work closely with the engine, vehicle, feedline, valve and controls teams to integrate the turbopump and balance risk across the system.
- Prepare technical reports and present results and recommendations in design reviews & milestones.
- Create & maintain analysis tools and automation scripts to streamline the design and analysis workflow.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in an engineering discipline ; a degree in aerospace, mechanical or controls engineering, or any degree that sharpened your ability to model systems mathematically
- experience in the design, modeling or testing of liquid pumps or turbomachinery (relevant internship and project experience counts)
- Strong grounding in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, structural analysis, and materials and processes
- Hands-on experience with CAD software needed for fluid systems design of turbomachinery
- A fascination with bringing space closer to everyone on Earth
- Must be able to work six days in a week, including extended hours and weekends as required.
- Willingness to travel in support of hardware testing and launch campaigns
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- Experience carrying out rotordynamic analysis, including critical speeds, bearing and seal behavior, and stability, and assess turbomachinery failure modes.
- Experience reviewing drawings and ensure designs meet life, reliability and safety standards.
- Strong understanding of pump hydrodynamic and aerodynamic design, and of high-speed rotating equipment
- Experience with meanline analysis, and with turbomachinery and engine testing
- Experience with secondary flow and axial thrust balance modeling
- Experience in rotor dynamics, turbine and pump performance, impeller research and design, and turbomachinery failure modes
- Experience with turbomachinery manufacturing and design for manufacturability, including hands-on hardware builds
- Professional experience with CAD packages, and with simulation packages (for fluid flow, Mechanical, Thermal)
- Skill in building analytical and numerical models of engineering devices and processes, and proficiency in a scripting or programming language for automation
- Experience in a nimble engineering organization or a highly technical role that called for a scrappy, entrepreneurial approach under tight time and budget constraints
- Highly self-motivated, with strong communication and teamwork skills
Benefits
- You might design the heart of a rocket engine that flies from India.
- Your pump efficiency and thrust balance will directly drive engine performance, vehicle mass and flight readiness.
- You will learn rocket propulsion from some of the most senior and respected minds in ISRO.
- You will see your models tested against component rigs, engine hot-fires and real flights.
AgniKul Cosmos Chennai, Tamil Nadu, IND Office
National Center for Combustion R&D, IIT-Madras, 3rd floor, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, 600036
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