Senior Jet Engine Design Engineer – Interceptor Drones

About Alta Ares

Alta Ares is an air defense Neoprime. We build AI-guided interceptors to counter drones and cruise missiles, along with the software platform that powers them.

Our customers are NATO-aligned militaries and defense institutions, and our systems are regularly deployed during live exercises and operational demonstrations across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Founded in 2024, we have grown to 90 people, raised over $60M, and increased revenue 40× this year. We are now entering a new phase of international expansion, industrial scaling, fundraising, and product development.

About the Role
We are building next-generation interceptor drones and are looking for a Senior Jet Engine Design Engineer to lead the development of small-scale jet propulsion systems (12–25 kg thrust class), from concept to flight-ready hardware. This is a hands-on, high-ownership role in a fast-moving startup environment where speed and iteration matter more than lengthy upfront studies.

Responsibilities:

• Design and develop new small jet engines (12–25 kg thrust range) in-house, optimized for very low production cost

• Own the aerodynamic design of turbine components, balancing performance, manufacturability, and cost

• Design a large portion of the turbine for metal 3D printing (additive manufacturing), leveraging design-for-AM principles to reduce part count, weight, and cost

• Work closely with 3D printing operations to define printable geometries, tolerances, post-processing, and qualify parts for flight use

• Drive a rapid, fail-fast iteration process: build, test, learn, and redesign quickly rather than relying on long analytical phases before prototyping

• Integrate propulsion systems into airframes such as flying wings and other interceptor drone configurations, working with aerostructures and systems teams

• Apply and enforce design rules for operation in extreme environments (cold and hot climates, rain, humidity, icing conditions) to ensure engine reliability across the full operational envelope

• Contribute to engine testing (bench and flight), performance validation, and continuous design improvement

Candidate Profile:

• Minimum 8 years of experience in jet engine / gas turbine design, with a proven track record of having designed and delivered engine models (not just component-level work)

• Strong hands-on experience with small jet engines in the 12–25 kg thrust class

• Solid global understanding of jet engine architecture: compressor, combustor, turbine, fuel system, controls, and their interactions

• Experience designing turbine/engine components for metal additive manufacturing (DfAM), and practical knowledge of metal 3D printing processes and constraints

• Comfortable working in a rapid-iteration, fail-fast development culture rather than a traditional long-cycle aerospace process

• Experience integrating propulsion systems into airframes (flying wing or similar unconventional platforms is a strong plus)

• Knowledge of design requirements for extreme operating environments (temperature extremes, precipitation, icing)

• Ability to work autonomously in a small, fast-paced startup team, wearing multiple hats when needed

Nice to Have

• Experience with UAV/drone propulsion specifically (vs. manned aviation)

• Familiarity with low-cost manufacturing strategies for defense/dual-use hardware

• Prior startup or skunkworks experience