Turbopump R&D

Description

SFU Rocketry is seeking Mechanical Engineers to join a newly formed Turbopump Research & Development Team. This group is tasked with investigating, designing, and prototyping the turbopump system for our liquid rocket engine — one of the most technically challenging subsystems in aerospace engineering.

As part of this team, you will explore pump and turbine design concepts, analyze fluid flow and mechanical stresses, and investigate materials and manufacturing approaches suitable for high-speed, high-pressure operation. This is a research-driven role, where curiosity, creativity, and persistence are key, as the team works toward developing a functional turbopump architecture for future rockets.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Conceptual & Analytical Design

  • Research existing rocket turbopump architectures (axial, centrifugal, staged-combustion applications)

  • Perform first-order calculations for pump head, pressure rise, and turbine power requirements

  • Develop CAD models of turbopump components (impellers, volutes, shafts, bearings)

  Simulation & Analysis

  • Use tools such as ANSYS Fluent/CFX, MATLAB, or Simulink to simulate fluid dynamics and rotational systems

  • Conduct structural analysis (FEA) for shafts, bearings, and housing under high stress and vibration

  • Evaluate thermal management strategies for cryogenic propellants

  Prototyping & Experimentation

  • Participate in scaled-down prototyping of pump/turbine concepts

  • Design test rigs to evaluate flow rates, efficiency, and cavitation performance

  • Collaborate with the propulsion team to ensure integration with engine feed systems

  Collaboration & Documentation

  • Work closely with propulsion and structures engineers for system-level compatibility

  • Document findings, trade studies, and lessons learned to guide future iterations

  • Attend regular team meetings and brainstorming sessions with your Turbopump Lead

Role-Specific Key Qualifications

• Strong foundation in fluid mechanics, turbomachinery, and thermodynamics

• Familiarity with CAD (SOLIDWORKS or similar) and simulation tools (ANSYS Fluent/CFX, Simulink)

• Knowledge of rotating machinery (pumps, turbines, compressors)

• Understanding of material properties and failure modes under high stress and cryogenic conditions

• Hands-on mechanical skills (machining, prototyping, assembly) are a strong asset

• Curiosity-driven mindset, willing to tackle open-ended R&D challenges with limited precedent