Analyze and design rotordynamic systems for rocket-engine turbopumps, turbines, compressors, bearings, and seals. Build FEA and simulation models, evaluate rotating equipment and vendor proposals, define vibration and dynamic-load criteria, and support testing, commissioning, hot-fire campaigns, troubleshooting, and root-cause analysis. The role collaborates with propulsion, structures, manufacturing, and test teams and requires participation in factory acceptance tests, spin tests, balancing, alignment, and vibration baselining.
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 think a critical speed is just a rotor’s way of saying “hey, can we talk about my bearings?”, this is for you.
- If you can look at an unbalanced response plot and immediately spot which bearing, seal or support is behind the wobble, this is for you.
- If you believe the best rotordynamic model is the one that matches the spin-pit data and the hot-fire vibration signature, and stay calm at 40,000 rpm, this is for you.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Perform rotor dynamic analysis of turbopumps, turbines, compressors and other high-speed rotating equipment for liquid rocket engines and ground test systems. This covers lateral, torsional and axial vibration, critical speeds, stability, unbalance response and forced response.
- Evaluate and design bearing systems (fluid film, rolling element, hydrostatic, magnetic) and seals, and optimise stiffness, damping, load capacity, cooling and life under cryogenic, high-speed and high-temperature conditions.
- Build analytical / FEA models, run transient & steady-state simulations (startup, shutdown, trips, rubs) to predict dynamic behaviour across the full operating envelope.
- Specify, evaluate & select rotating equipment and auxiliaries (turbomachinery packages, lube and coolant systems, gas and fuel skids, couplings, drive trains) for engine test facilities and propulsion infrastructure. Assess OEM and vendor proposals and drive selection recommendations.
- Own mechanical interfaces between rotating equipment, foundations, piping, thermal growth and structures.
- Plan and support component and assembly testing: define test configurations and processes, review results, and lead the resolution of issues found.
- Define dynamic loading and vibration criteria with the civil and structural teams for test stands and equipment foundations.
- Ensure compliance with applicable standards & apply industry best practices
- Participate in factory acceptance tests at vendor facilities. Support spin tests, balancing, alignment, mechanical run tests and vibration baselining.
- Support commissioning, hot-fire campaigns and field troubleshooting. Run root cause analysis of machinery failures and propose corrective actions.
- Work closely with the Propulsion, Structures, Manufacturing and Test teams to take in operating conditions, loads & interface requirements for fully integrated designs.
Requirements
- Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a closely related field. A Master’s degree is preferred.
- Proficiency in rotordynamics software . Experience with FAT, field commissioning, alignment, mechanical run tests & vibration baselining.
- Experience in rotor dynamics, bearing design and analysis, or utility-scale or industrial rotating equipment (gas or steam turbines, compressors, pumps).
- Strong understanding of rotor dynamics fundamentals (critical speeds, stability, unbalance response) and of fluid film and rolling element bearings.
- Working knowledge of FEA and CFD for rotating machinery.
- Familiarity with API standards such as 617, 610 and 684.
- Experience with CAD software
- Excellent problem-solving skills & attention to detail.
- Must be able to work six days in a week, including extended hours and weekends as required.
- Willingness to travel to vendor facilities and test sites during FAT, construction and commissioning
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- Experience with turbopumps or rocket engine turbomachinery.
- Experience with vibration measurement & diagnostics (proximity probes, accelerometers, orbit and waterfall analysis).
- Proficiency in a scripting or programming language for analysis automation.
- Comfort working directly with OEM and vendor engineering teams to resolve technical issues under schedule pressure.
- Ability to work independently on complex projects, and strong communication skills for presenting complex data to a multidisciplinary team.
Benefits
- You might shape the heart of a rocket engine that flies from India.
- Your rotordynamic margins will directly decide whether a turbopump survives its first hot-fire.
- You will learn rocket propulsion from some of the most senior and respected minds in ISRO.
- You will see your predictions tested against spin pits, cold flow rigs & 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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