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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$90K - $110K *

Transform healthcare project management by leading complex construction initiatives. Collaborate with clients to ensure project success from planning to completion, while managing resources, budgets...

Boston, MARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$85K - $129K *

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CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$95K - $115K *

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Olathe, KSRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$346K - $500K+*

Shape a secure future for research technologies. Lead in defining security for multi-cloud environments that enable high-compute research, ensuring safety in CI/CD practices and automated systems for...

Berkeley, CARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

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Houston, TXRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$132K - $174K *

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Reposted 3 weeks ago

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$139K - $188K *

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Minnesota, USRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$95K - $135K *

Shape innovative transportation projects by leading design efforts and collaborating across engineering disciplines to meet project goals efficiently.

Columbia, MDRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$100K - $120K *

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United StatesRemote

2 days ago

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$95K - $115K *

Lead and transform large-scale retrofit and modernization projects, ensuring timely delivery, budget adherence, and high customer satisfaction while coordinating cross-functional teams and managing st...

Louisville, KYRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $120K *

Accelerate progress at our company by leading the estimating team for innovative utility-scale solar and battery storage projects. Drive precise budgeting and foster collaboration across teams to enha...

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Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$80K - $100K *

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United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

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3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

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Massachusetts, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$165K - $200K *

Innovate and drive operational excellence by delivering High Reliability and Human Performance transformations that boost organizational effectiveness and resilience across various complex environment...

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Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in shaping brand strategy and marketing initiatives, elevating communications to articulate our cutting-edge narrative in the aerospace sector, driving audience engagement and fosterin...

San Francisco, CARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $95K *

Unlock potential by leading electrical engineering projects, ensuring compliance with standards and specifications. Collaborate with teams to deliver innovative solutions while mentoring junior engine...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

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

$100K - $250K *

Engage with engineers to craft compelling technical content, uncovering stories from complex challenges and publishing insights that resonate with the engineering community. Drive quality and clarity...

San Francisco, CARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Elevate incident response capabilities by developing dashboards and alerts, optimizing cloud performance, and ensuring security compliance. Collaborate with product teams to enhance IAM needs while dr...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $215K *

Elevate business integrity by spearheading internal audits, enhancing risk assessments, and streamlining processes. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure robust controls, compliance, and effective...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$130K - $140K *

Join a team that leads innovative research and policy analysis to advance a clean, affordable, and resilient electricity future. Collaborate with policymakers and stakeholders, translating complex fin...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$80K - $95K *

Execute project management strategies to drive research initiatives, ensuring effective collaboration and communication across teams. Manage project life cycles, optimize processes, and enhance outcom...

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2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $145K *

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1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $150K *

Empower your career by leading and scaling a multidisciplinary engineering team in full-stack and data engineering. Drive impact through collaboration and technical excellence, ensuring quality and in...

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Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$129K - $210K *

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3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer 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.