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 - $145K *

Join a team that's redefining transactions by owning the architecture, delivery, and roadmap of critical systems. Lead an engineering team while ensuring reliable software delivery, AI integration, an...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $130K *

Innovate the future of cloud platforms by leading the design and operation of a secure, scalable infrastructure. Drive automation and enhance developer experience while collaborating with cross-functi...

Toronto, ONRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$84K - $150K *

Collaborate with sales and technical teams to identify opportunities, translate customer needs into design requirements, and launch new products effectively, ensuring alignment with market trends and...

California, USRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$160K - $235K *

Help us drive innovation in electrical engineering for data center projects, leading complex design, mentoring teams, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Collaborate across functions to o...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$137K - $195K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in the biopharmaceutical sector, managing strategic sales initiatives within a defined territory to enhance customer relationships and deliver advanced engineerin...

North Carolina, USRemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$140K - $155K *

Join a team that's driving security excellence by implementing technical controls and developing procedures for compliance with NIST and FedRAMP. Collaborate with Cloud Service Providers to ensure sec...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$89K - $148K *

Shape the future of integrated power systems by leading innovative solutions and ensuring seamless integration of complex technologies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver exceptional o...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$125K - $175K *

Drive the expansion of PMO services in the utility sector, leading a multidisciplinary team while fostering executive relationships and enhancing project delivery. Leverage extensive industry expertis...

Denver, CORemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$165K - $248K *

Lead enterprise-scale operations for cloud services, ensuring performance and customer satisfaction. Drive a multidisciplinary team, manage service transitions, and leverage data-driven metrics to enh...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$170K - $205K *

Join a dynamic team to lead AI agent deployments in healthcare. Leverage your software engineering expertise and client-facing skills to drive technical delivery, influence product development, and en...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$160K - $500K+*

Engage in cutting-edge verification methodologies to drive scalable solutions across blocks and systems, ensuring robust validation at the chip level. Champion verification execution, planning, and cl...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Engineer cutting-edge algorithms for OPIR data processing, collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop software solutions, analyze data, and communicate findings effectively to enhance projec...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$88K - $163K *

Transform the future of C4I modernization by shaping system architecture and capabilities. Collaborate with an international team to define requirements, develop documentation, and ensure alignment wi...

Colorado, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Optimize project financials by providing expert analysis, reporting, and controls for government contracts. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure accurate forecasting, invoicing, and compliance, dri...

Chicago, ILRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$152K - $205K *

Lead the charge in architecting AI-driven solutions for enterprise clients, transforming complex data governance challenges into actionable insights. Collaborate with stakeholders to shape product evo...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$142K - $186K *

Pioneer a data-driven culture by designing scalable ELT pipelines and analytics models. Collaborate across teams to ensure product data integrity and empower stakeholders with self-service insights, d...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $135K *

Transform the future of financial products by building end-to-end experiences. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful solutions that enhance user interactions and drive business...

CanadaRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$160K - $193K *

Lead the charge in HiL testing for autonomous trucks, guiding a team to ensure robust verification and validation. Shape the test strategy, align with safety standards, and collaborate across teams to...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$170K - $210K *

Drive excellence in design management for OFCI electrical systems in a hyperscale data center. Lead teams, enforce standards, and ensure seamless integration of owner-furnished equipment while managin...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$115K - $170K *

Shape the future of advanced integrated voltage regulators, enhancing cutting-edge technology applications through innovative analog and mixed-signal design while collaborating cross-functionally to m...

New York, NYRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Elevate engineering success by partnering with leadership to drive strategic execution, fostering alignment across teams, and leveraging data-driven insights for impactful decision-making in a dynamic...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Unlock potential by leading our Site Reliability Engineering team, ensuring the reliability and performance of our cloud-native platform. Drive technical excellence, cultivate a high-performance cultu...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$93K - $140K *

Optimize system reliability and performance by integrating GridOS solutions, managing incidents, and enhancing operational efficiency. Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure high-quality deploym...

Bellevue, WARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$90K - $110K *

Lead the charge in overseeing energy construction projects, managing field operations, ensuring customer satisfaction, and optimizing job profitability through effective team coordination and procedur...

Illinois, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$118K - $183K *

Join a team that's driving partner growth through strategic engagement, AI adoption, and solution development. Collaborate across diverse partner types to enhance business outcomes and ensure scalable...

Vienna, VARemote

1 week ago

  •   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.