2026 Propulsion Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•El Segundo, CA

4d•$100,000 - $140,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space. The Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, and test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly-trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments. The Propulsion Department within VSD develops and evaluates cutting-edge propulsion technologies and systems for current and future government and commercial applications. The motto of the department is "We Deliver"; we deliver timely, objective, and actionable technical advice so that programs can execute efficiently toward mission success. The Solid Motors and Propulsion Technologies section is looking for a candidate who will assess and analyze solid rocket motor internal ballistics, solid propellant combustion, ablative nozzle erosion, combustion stability & acoustic modeling, and motor performance; develop analytical tools to integrate component-level analyses to evaluate rocket stage performance; and assist in the execution, design, and data analysis of laboratory experimentation of rocket propulsion technologies. In this position, you will perform technical evaluations and assessments of propulsion systems for high-priority space missions. Your work may involve propulsion system development, manufacturing, test, and operations for multiple programs. You must have a strong technical foundation and be willing to learn a broad range of new technologies and systems and effectively communicate results and recommendations to inform critical decisions. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA.

Requirements

Master's degree from an accredited college/university program in Aerospace, Mechanical, Chemical, or Materials Science Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months)
0-1 year of industry work experience
Knowledge of fundamental and advanced engineering principles in aerospace, mechanical, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and thermodynamics as applied to the design, evaluation, and optimization of propulsion and propellant systems
Demonstrated ability to conduct thorough independent analyses on deep technical challenges
Readiness to engage in technical discussions and reviews, present analyses, and contribute ideas in collaborative settings
Proficiency with standard office software, engineering tools, and scientific/technical programming environments and languages
Willingness to travel domestically and/or internationally approximately 20% of the time to support customer needs
This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
Transcripts from an accredited college/university
Strong written and oral communication skills
Must work well in a team environment
Possess organizational, time management and project management skills
Demonstrate flexibility and ability to adapt to changing organizational needs
Interpersonal skills to coordinate efforts and work with other internal and external organizations

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. degree from an accredited college/university program in Aerospace, Mechanical, Chemical, or Materials Science Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months)
Active security clearance
Experience with combustion/reacting flows, turbomachinery, rotordynamics, rocket engine/motor testing, material properties, or propulsion system engineering
Hands-on experience with thermal-fluid and/or propulsion system testing or experimentation
Advanced proficiency with Python and/or MATLAB
Demonstrated ability to analyze high sample rate datasets using frequency and order domain techniques, including experience with spectral analysis tools and software
Working knowledge of digital engineering techniques and applications

Responsibilities

Assisting in the evaluation of propulsion system design, performance, and applications
Developing and applying new and existing tools and analyses to assess the performance of space propulsion systems in ground test and flight
Identifying, assessing, and mitigating hardware and operational risks associated with components, systems, and interfaces
Providing real-time support for customer tests, flights, and anomaly resolution efforts
Participating in multidisciplinary teams including technical interchange meetings, hardware reviews, flight data reviews, and other activities to assess flight readiness of propulsion systems
Assisting with propulsion laboratory experimental efforts, including test execution, data analysis, and design upgrades
Preparing reports and presentations to communicate results and recommendations to Aerospace program offices, government personnel, and other customers
Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned as needed

Benefits

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business.
The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.
(Min - Max) $100,000.00 - $140,000.00
Pay Basis: Annual
Leadership Competencies
Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:
Operate Strategically
Lead Change
Engage with Impact
Foster Innovation
Deliver Results
Ways We Reward Our Employees
During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits. Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:
Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
Flexible spending accounts
Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
Relocation assistance
Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
Education assistance programs
An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect
We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.
Equal Opportunity Commitment
The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.
Right Place
The Aerospace Corporation has over 26 locations nationwide, which allows us to build a workforce that will nurture the best ideas, and generate the most novel innovations and solutions to our nation’s toughest space enterprise challenges.
Right Path
Aerospace covers all stages of the space lifecycle, from concept to operations. We believe our people are our most valuable resource and that’s why we propel our employees forward in their careers through ongoing education, training, and professional development.
Right Purpose
We can all serve a mission much greater than ourselves, and at Aerospace that is exactly what we do. By hiring the industry’s most preeminent scientists and engineers, Aerospace advances emerging technologies that protect some of the most critical missions on Earth and above it.
Return to the Aerospace Careers site.
Aerospace employees working in organizations with technical responsibilities are required to obtain a Security Clearance. U.S. citizenship is required for those positions.