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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$100K - $152K *

Drive innovative solutions in electrical engineering for nuclear power projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to design, analyze, and enhance electrical systems, ensuring reliability and c...

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$100K - $152K *

Join a dynamic team to design and enhance electrical systems for nuclear power plants, ensuring reliability and compliance. Collaborate with engineers and clients to deliver innovative solutions and s...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$107K - $130K *

Drive innovation by analyzing mechanical systems for WMD/HDBT programs. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to evaluate technologies and develop solutions that enhance national security efforts...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Transform aircraft structure analysis by performing complex stress calculations, ensuring safety and compliance while collaborating with design and manufacturing teams to deliver efficient solutions f...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$134K - $205K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of clean energy by leading structural engineering projects for nuclear facilities. You'll mentor engineers, collaborate across disciplines, and ensure high-qualit...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$134K - $205K *

Shape the future of structural engineering by leading a dynamic team in designing innovative solutions for nuclear facilities. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and clients while advancing your...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$134K - $205K *

Drive innovative structural engineering solutions by leading a team in the design and analysis of nuclear facility structures. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and clients to ensure high-quali...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$134K - $205K *

Empower a team of structural engineers to design innovative solutions for nuclear facilities. Lead projects, mentor talent, and collaborate across disciplines to enhance safety and efficiency in struc...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$134K - $201K *

Lead and deliver innovative mechanical systems for energy projects, ensuring code compliance and excellence in design. Mentor junior engineers, manage project scopes, and resolve complex challenges wh...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$125K - $163K *

Oversee complex electrical engineering projects, ensuring design safety and compliance while mentoring junior engineers. Leverage expertise in power systems and innovative technologies to drive projec...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$85K - $100K *

Transform project execution by integrating schedules, resources, and constraints to ensure efficient reactor builds. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance planning processes and utilize A...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$122K - $227K *

Unlock your potential by developing and integrating high-fidelity missile simulations. Collaborate with a skilled engineering team to enhance performance and optimize real-time execution across comple...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$122K - $227K *

Develop and optimize high-fidelity missile simulation frameworks, integrating legacy models and ensuring accurate threat modeling. Collaborate with engineering teams to enhance performance and validat...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Join our dynamic team to support the validation of complex electrical systems. Contribute to designing test procedures, troubleshooting integration issues, and ensuring that interconnected systems per...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $95K *

Transform shipyard operations by leading a skilled team, ensuring safety and quality while managing resources and enhancing efficiencies. Adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment, fost...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$101K - $152K *

Unlock potential by applying fundamental engineering principles to design and support mechanical systems. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on HVAC and energy system projects, ensuring complian...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$101K - $152K *

Advance mechanical engineering design and analysis for energy projects, ensuring compliance and performance. Collaborate with teams to deliver innovative HVAC and energy systems, while managing projec...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$93K - $130K *

Unlock potential by collaborating with global teams to enhance aerospace product designs, resolve materials obsolescence, and improve supply chain performance for commercial and military aircraft syst...

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$113K - $178K *

Drive your career with a senior role focused on software development for control room simulators, collaborating with engineers to enhance plant models and ensure high-quality deliverables in a dynamic...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$110K - $130K *

Drive innovative power supply product design for datacenters and industrial applications, leading NPI and NTI efforts while mentoring junior engineers and ensuring compliance with design guidelines fo...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$90K - $136K *

Shape the future of offshore recovery by supporting electrical systems design, integration, and operations for maritime vessels. Collaborate across teams to ensure mission readiness and enhance system...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $181K *

Optimize the design and execution of complex mechanical systems for energy and infrastructure projects, leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative, code-compliant solutions while mentoring...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$134K - $201K *

Shape the future of energy infrastructure by leading complex mechanical system designs for large-scale projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, mentor junior engineers, and ensure complianc...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$118K - $180K *

Drive the successful execution of complex nuclear projects, ensuring alignment across multidisciplinary teams while managing scope, schedule, and budget. Lead from initiation to closeout, promoting sa...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$170K - $210K *

Join a dynamic team as a Principal PCB Design Engineer, leading complex board designs and driving best practices in aerospace applications. Collaborate across teams to ensure high-quality, reliable de...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

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.