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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
More
1
caret down

$62K - $99K *

Join a dynamic team to perform critical inspections on aerospace components, ensuring compliance with stringent quality standards. Collaborate with suppliers and internal teams to drive continuous imp...

Texas, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$215K - $240K *

Shape the future of commercial operations by leading strategy, workflows, and data integration. Collaborate with senior leaders to enhance brand performance and drive operational excellence across cro...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in engineering excellence, overseeing a team of 60 while driving AI initiatives and enhancing operational strategies. Collaborate with product leadership to elevate engineering practic...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$260K - $280K *

Innovate and lead the growth of a dynamic MSP/MSSP engineering team by driving scalable platform capabilities, ensuring operational excellence, and fostering a culture of quality and collaboration wit...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$180K - $195K *

Unlock your potential as you collaborate to develop enterprise Android applications, enhancing user experience through innovative design, coding, and testing. Join a dynamic team focused on delivering...

Austin, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $165K *

Shape the future of electrical substations by leading design teams, managing projects, and ensuring best practices, while fostering client relationships and promoting safety and compliance in a dynami...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$126K - $173K *

Drive integration strategies to enhance silicon photonic fabrication, collaborating with foundries to evolve processes from development to production while ensuring robust performance and reproducibil...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $165K *

Unlock compliance excellence by leading product safety initiatives across engineering and manufacturing. Ensure adherence to critical standards for data center and IT equipment, driving quality and pe...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Elevate your career by leading the design and quality assurance of telecom infrastructure projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative solutions for underground conduit sys...

Seattle, WARemote

6 days ago

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

$110K - $177K *

Lead the charge in software development across a cross-functional team while ensuring quality and technical excellence. Balance hands-on coding with team leadership to deliver high-value applications...

Ohio, USRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$96K - $192K *

Join a dynamic team to drive cost reduction initiatives and enhance material productivity across global business units. Collaborate with stakeholders to influence design and manufacturing changes, ens...

Palm Beach Gardens, FLRemote

6 days ago

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

$95K - $125K *

Drive the deployment of healthcare technology across multiple VA facilities, coordinating projects and ensuring readiness. Collaborate with diverse teams to manage timelines, resolve issues, and deliv...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$135K - $160K *

Join a team that's transforming cloud infrastructure for institutional investors. You'll deploy and manage AI solutions across various cloud environments, ensuring security and compliance while collab...

Berkeley, CARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $140K *

Lead the design and implementation of protection schemes for electrical systems. Collaborate across disciplines, mentor teams, and influence technical direction in a high-impact role that fosters prof...

Billings, MTRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$100K - $120K *

Unlock your potential by driving strategic initiatives and M&A activities through in-depth research, analysis, and collaboration with senior leadership to inform corporate decisions and shape the comp...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$220K - $290K *

Accelerate the development of autonomous systems by leading systems engineering strategies, aligning cross-functional teams, and ensuring rigorous safety and performance standards throughout the produ...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $220K *

Transform diverse big data into actionable insights by designing, developing, and deploying cutting-edge AI-driven applications. Collaborate with teams to optimize models and create robust ML pipeline...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $120K *

Optimize your career as an Infor M3 Technical Consultant, leveraging 3-5 years of expertise in integrations and development. Collaborate with teams to design and support seamless enterprise solutions...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$85K - $117K *

Play a key role in providing advanced technical support for CNC systems, optimizing performance, and collaborating with teams to enhance automation solutions. Engage with customers and partners to res...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $145K *

Lead product development initiatives in power connectors and cable assemblies. Drive innovation, mentor engineering talent, and ensure high-quality solutions that meet market demands while collaborati...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's leading the modernization of a legacy system. Drive architectural decisions, enhance engineering practices, and foster a culture of innovation while ensuring reliable delivery and c...

Pennsylvania, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $115K *

Champion compliance and security excellence by driving NIST 800-53 and FedRAMP initiatives. Partner with clients to ensure federal authorization, author vital documents, and manage multiple A&A projec...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$111K - $206K *

Lead cross-functional teams to develop and manage integrated program schedules, ensuring effective execution and performance through Earned Value Management and critical path analysis. Drive collabora...

Fort Worth, TXRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Empower your career by bridging sales and engineering as a key technical resource. You'll scope, quote, and support customer needs for low and medium-voltage switchgear solutions, ensuring alignment w...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Elevate your career by providing civil engineering design and support for utility substations. Collaborate with teams, mentor junior engineers, and ensure quality control while managing project scope...

RemoteRemote

2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

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.