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

$120K - $170K *

Take ownership of complex engineering challenges, driving innovative solutions across multiple domains. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure project success while fostering a culture of a...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$80K - $95K *

Advance cross-functional project management efforts by leading strategic initiatives that drive business objectives and enhance care programs while ensuring timely delivery and stakeholder alignment...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$160K - $200K *

Drive strategic revenue growth by identifying and capturing new business opportunities in aerospace. Lead complex pursuits, develop executive relationships, and execute account strategies to enhance m...

California, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$160K - $500K+*

Deliver innovative mechanical designs for AI compute systems, enhancing data center capabilities. Collaborate on all facets of product development, ensuring high-quality assembly and performance throu...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Innovate in custom laser design and integration, driving product development from concept to production. Collaborate across teams to enhance VCSEL technology, ensuring quality and manufacturability in...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $140K *

Architect AI-driven solutions to enhance GTM operations, streamline workflows, and empower sales and support teams. Collaborate cross-functionally to automate processes, improve efficiency, and drive...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

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

$122K *

Elevate your career by managing global projects in Neuroscience, ensuring compliance, budget adherence, and successful collaboration across cross-functional teams to drive milestone achievement and en...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by owning the end-to-end product surface, driving discovery, design, and migration while collaborating closely with users to solve real market problems in a dynamic healthcare environ...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Join us to lead transmission engineering projects, providing technical direction and project oversight while mentoring a high-performing team. Collaborate with clients and stakeholders to ensure safe...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$112K - $126K *

Join us to lead strategic investments in Service Engineering and Technical Publications, driving innovation through AI technologies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product lifecycl...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$210K - $250K *

Partner with us to lead transformative HR initiatives in a dynamic professional services environment. Shape talent strategies, drive AI integration, and build a robust People Services practice that su...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Business Services

$76K - $143K *

Manage and execute electrical engineering projects with a focus on quality and compliance. Collaborate across teams, providing expertise in design, problem-solving, and mentoring while ensuring adhere...

San Jose, CARemote

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$130K - $170K *

Champion innovative solutions by designing and implementing core platform features, driving the transition to microservices, and collaborating across teams to enhance scalability and flexibility in Io...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$100K - $120K *

Join a team that's redefining transportation modeling by developing and applying advanced travel demand models. Collaborate with experts, mentor junior staff, and engage with clients to enhance multim...

Arlington, VARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$100K - $130K *

Drive the design and deployment of secure AI applications in cloud environments, integrating advanced technologies like machine learning and ServiceNow solutions to enhance operational efficiency and...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in managing a large-scale FHWA communications program, ensuring effective contract leadership, quality management, and stakeholder engagement across a multidisciplinary team to deliver...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Staffing

$100K - $120K *

Take ownership of transformational sales efforts within the Public Safety sector, leveraging your expertise in Microsoft solutions to foster relationships, drive pipeline growth, and deliver impactful...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$112K - $179K *

Join a dynamic team as you lead efforts in reliability and disaster recovery for critical cloud-based platforms. Utilize your automation skills and collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance s...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $140K *

Lead a dynamic software engineering team, ensuring quality delivery and operational excellence while fostering collaboration across business units and driving innovation in energy efficiency solutions...

Ithaca, NYRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$125K - $150K *

Join a dynamic team to drive innovation and lead the transformation of complex systems into scalable, API-first solutions. As an Engineering Manager, you'll foster growth among engineers, ensuring qua...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$125K - $150K *

Grow your career with a leading AI inference platform, optimizing GPU performance and collaborating with teams to enhance execution. Drive innovation in low-level coding and hardware integration for c...

Austin, TXRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $300K *

Seeking a senior product software engineer to drive user-facing features in AI software development, enhancing tools like AI Agent, App Builder, and SDK for seamless app creation and deployment...

San Francisco, CARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $115K *

Elevate project management excellence by leading complex site design initiatives, ensuring timely deliverables, and fostering collaboration across teams to achieve high-quality engineering solutions t...

Lincoln, NERemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$125K - $150K *

Build essential infrastructure and tooling for scalable fintech solutions, empowering product engineers in a regulated environment while enhancing CI/CD processes and observability to support real-tim...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$114K - $252K *

Transform national security oversight by leading AI engineering initiatives that enhance investigative and audit operations within government settings, leveraging enterprise AI solutions to shape stra...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 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.