Propulsion Engineer Jobs

Propulsion engineers design, analyze, test, and improve the systems that move aircraft, spacecraft, launch vehicles, and other high-performance platforms. Their work may involve rocket engines, gas turbines, electric propulsion, fuel systems, combustion, and thermal management. Explore vetted Propulsion Engineer opportunities on Ladders, focused on professional roles paying $100,000 or more.

What Propulsion Engineers Do

Responsibilities vary by employer and product, but can include developing propulsion concepts, building performance models, evaluating components, interpreting test data, and supporting systems through design, qualification, and production. Engineers also collaborate across disciplines such as aerodynamics, structures, controls, manufacturing, and systems engineering to meet performance, safety, reliability, and cost goals.

Common Skills and Qualifications

Many roles call for a degree in aerospace, mechanical, or a related engineering discipline, along with experience in propulsion or thermal-fluid systems. Employers may seek knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, combustion, turbomachinery, materials, simulation tools, and experimental testing. Depending on the position, familiarity with requirements management, technical documentation, and regulated or defense programs may also be valuable.

Industries and Career Paths

Propulsion engineers work across aerospace, commercial aviation, space exploration, launch services, defense, and advanced technology. Career paths can lead to senior or principal engineering positions, technical leadership, chief engineering, program management, or specialized work in engine performance, combustion, testing, or electric propulsion.

Find Propulsion Engineer Jobs on Ladders

Use Ladders to explore vetted professional opportunities with compensation of $100,000 or more. Compare roles by employer, location, experience level, and technical focus to find a position aligned with your expertise and career goals. Job requirements and compensation vary by opening.

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$165K - $215K *

Empower the engineering team by driving project execution and integration for advanced vehicle development. Ensure alignment of resources, schedules, and technical goals while fostering collaboration...

Huntsville, ALRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$110K - $130K *

Elevate your career by designing and maintaining advanced IT infrastructure platforms, ensuring reliability and security. Collaborate with teams to optimize solutions, automate processes, and enhance...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Engage with key military and defense customers to drive growth through strategic business development. Leverage your expertise in procurement processes and compliance to identify opportunities and fos...

Michigan, USRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Advance your career by leading complex divestiture initiatives. Drive alignment and manage interdependencies in a transformative environment, ensuring successful execution across varied business funct...

Phoenix, AZRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$80K - $95K *

Unlock potential by leading projects in hydraulic engineering for dams and levees. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams while managing complex assessments and contributing to impactful deliverable...

Blue Bell, PARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$125K - $150K *

Join a dynamic team to enhance decentralized exchange infrastructure using Rust, TypeScript, and Python. Develop, test, and optimize cutting-edge software while collaborating across multiple disciplin...

New York, NYRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $160K *

Shape the future of healthcare by ensuring optimal performance of Linear Accelerators. Collaborate with clients and colleagues to deliver exceptional service, troubleshoot issues, and maintain equipme...

California, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$120K - $145K *

Optimize runtime authorization strategies across diverse segments, driving technical wins and enabling Sales Engineers. Leverage deep IAM and PAM expertise to deliver impactful solutions, ensuring com...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Optimize procurement processes by leading sourcing initiatives, conducting analyses, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure effective IT solutions that align with organizational goals...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Join our team to lead sourcing strategies and enhance supplier performance in a dynamic electronics manufacturing environment. Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to navigate supply challenges and d...

Austin, TXRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Drive procurement excellence by analyzing data, managing suppliers, and optimizing sourcing strategies to enhance cost, quality, and delivery in a dynamic environment...

Merrimack, NHRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Develop and implement sourcing strategies for indirect products and services, collaborating with internal stakeholders to optimize supplier relationships and drive value. Lead proposal and contract ma...

Falls Church, VARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's shaping procurement excellence in a billion-dollar business area. Oversee cradle-to-grave procurement activities, lead a diverse team, and enhance supplier relationships to optimize...

Austin, TXRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$77K - $115K *

Join a team that's dedicated to driving innovation by evaluating and implementing cutting-edge technologies and processes. Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to enhance business solutions through r...

Minneapolis, MNRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$82K - $90K *

Engage in innovative structural design projects, focusing on renewable energy solutions. Collaborate with a dynamic team to develop project scopes, schedules, and budgets while enhancing your expertis...

Richmond, VARemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$80K - $95K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of renewable energy through innovative civil engineering solutions. Contribute to the design of structures and bridges while managing projects and enhancing your...

Raleigh, NCRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$150K - $230K *

Architect system-level requirements and verification plans for a complex aerospace program. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure coherent design and integration across multiple engineerin...

Huntsville, ALRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$100K - $120K *

Reimagine your career as a Solutions Engineer, collaborating with Sales to craft tailored product demonstrations addressing aviation sector challenges, while influencing product development through cu...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $128K *

Unlock potential by integrating identity platforms with robust security measures. Collaborate within agile teams to design and maintain APIs, ensuring seamless data flow across federal systems while a...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $95K *

Unlock potential by joining a leading environmental team focused on wetland delineation and permitting. Collaborate on diverse projects in energy and industrial sectors while leveraging your expertise...

Rocky Hill, CTRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$124K - $150K *

Drive technical supplier oversight for nuclear I&C systems, ensuring compliance with manufacturing standards. Collaborate with design teams and suppliers to enhance product quality and performance whi...

Supply, NCRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$82K - $110K *

Optimize project execution by leading cross-functional teams, managing resources, and ensuring compliance with defense industry standards. Drive strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency...

Fairfax, VARemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Champion financial planning and cost management for modernization programs, ensuring compliance and viability through effective forecasting and Earned Value Management. Collaborate with project teams...

Radford, VARemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$76K - $102K *

Join a dynamic team to support marine construction projects, ensuring effective project planning, cost management, and scheduling. Contribute to vital terminal infrastructure improvements while uphold...

Seattle, WARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$150K - $180K *

Transform your career with a pivotal role in physical design, leading complex SoC implementations, optimizing performance, and driving cross-functional collaboration to ensure successful tapeout readi...

San Jose, CARemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a propulsion engineer do?question toggle

    A propulsion engineer designs, analyzes, tests, or improves systems that generate thrust or power for vehicles such as aircraft, spacecraft, and launch vehicles. Specific duties depend on the technology and employer.

  • What qualifications are common for propulsion engineer jobs?question toggle

    Many positions seek a bachelor's or advanced degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field, plus relevant experience. Requirements may include expertise in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, combustion, turbomachinery, modeling, or testing.

  • Which industries hire propulsion engineers?question toggle

    Common employers include aerospace and aviation companies, spaceflight and launch providers, defense contractors, and organizations developing advanced propulsion technologies.

  • What skills are useful in a propulsion engineering career?question toggle

    Useful skills include propulsion-system analysis, thermal-fluid sciences, simulation, test planning, data analysis, technical communication, and cross-functional collaboration. The most relevant skills vary by specialty and role.

  • Are Propulsion Engineer jobs on Ladders $100,000 or more?question toggle

    Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more. Compensation and eligibility requirements vary by listing, so review each opening for current details.