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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$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in designing and managing electrical power systems, ensuring compliance with project specifications, schedules, and budgets while providing technical guidance and support throughout th...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Accelerate progress at NASA by designing and deploying advanced spacecraft simulators. Join a dynamic team focused on software testing and validation for cutting-edge aerospace projects, ensuring the...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$88K - $105K *

Drive the design and development of NASA spacecraft simulators, ensuring advanced verification and validation of software systems. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance ground software and smalls...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $115K *

Join a dynamic team to design and develop NASA spacecraft simulators, enhancing verification and validation processes for advanced space missions. Collaborate on innovative software solutions that imp...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$88K - $105K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing NASA's software testing and simulation efforts. Collaborate on designing and deploying spacecraft simulators, ensuring the integrity of critical systems throu...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Lead innovative airport design projects, enhancing infrastructure through engineering excellence. Collaborate globally while developing your career in a dynamic aviation environment focused on impactf...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$100K - $120K *

Transform airport infrastructure by leading design projects, preparing engineering reports, and collaborating on innovative solutions in a dynamic aviation environment. Drive your career forward with...

Dallas, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$95K - $115K *

Drive innovation in electrical engineering by designing medium-voltage power distribution systems for mission-critical applications. Lead complex projects, ensuring compliance with industry standards...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $100K *

Transform structural designs for varied projects, ensuring innovative solutions and excellence from concept to construction in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment...

Ottawa, ONIn-Person

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $130K *

Elevate aviation safety by leading investigations into helicopter accidents, providing expert analysis on engineering failures, and developing safety recommendations to enhance industry standards and...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$139K - $170K *

Design and implement electrical systems for cutting-edge unmanned undersea vehicles, collaborating in a multidisciplinary team to ensure high performance, reliability, and compliance with operational...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$116K - $215K *

Champion the development of advanced avionics systems, leading cross-functional teams to ensure compliance and performance. Drive technical presentations and analyses, validating design margins and en...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$116K - $215K *

Innovate your career with us as you lead the development of advanced avionics systems, ensuring compliance and reliability through rigorous analysis and collaboration in a dynamic team environment...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$116K - $215K *

Drive your career with a leading role in avionics development, overseeing signal and power integrity for cutting-edge aerospace hardware. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance a...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$116K - $215K *

Transform the future of aerospace by leading the development of cutting-edge avionics systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance and deliver innovative solutions from concep...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$116K - $215K *

Lead the charge in developing cutting-edge avionics systems, ensuring compliance and performance from concept to qualification. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative aerospace...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$140K - $165K *

Unlock potential by driving reliability in a multi-billion dollar AI cloud infrastructure. Collaborate with senior engineers to enhance production systems, automate processes, and ensure optimal perfo...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$70K - $175K *

Unlock potential by joining a dynamic team to support the next-gen ICBM system. Collaborate on system engineering activities, ensuring alignment with program goals while driving innovation and technic...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Innovate cutting-edge optical systems for national defense missions. Lead integration, calibration, and verification of advanced EO/IR payloads, ensuring seamless collaboration across teams to deliver...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$141K - $204K *

Lead the charge in advancing next-gen technologies as a Systems Engineering Manager. Oversee a multi-disciplinary team, drive modernization efforts, and ensure best practices in a dynamic environment...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$108K - $163K *

Join a team that's transforming thermal management solutions for mission-critical electronics. Lead advanced designs, mentor engineers, and collaborate across sectors to optimize performance in airbor...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $120K *

Transform quality assurance practices for spacecraft hardware. Collaborate with engineering teams to uphold the highest industry standards, ensuring effective processes from design to delivery in a fa...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Engineer complex Environmental Control and Life Support Systems, leading projects from conception to completion. Collaborate across teams, manage risks, and ensure compliance with NASA standards while...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Empower safety excellence by integrating engineering expertise and hazard analysis to ensure complex systems are designed, operated, and maintained with the highest safety standards and regulatory com...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Transform electrical design processes and oversee new project execution by leading the engineering of complex distribution systems and power generation assets, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and ope...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 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.