Director, Propulsion Engineering

Aleron
United States, Texas, Leander
Sep 03, 2026
Description Job Title: Director, Propulsion Engineering Location: Leander, TX Employment Type: Direct Hire. Industry: Aerospace & Defense Compensation: $180k- $210k /year. Schedule: 40 hrs/Week. About the Opportunity: The Propulsion Director provides technical and organizational leadership for the design, development, test, qualification, and operation of propulsion systems across client launch vehicles and spacecraft. This role is accountable for multiple engine and fluid system programs spanning early architecture trades through flight operations. Why You'll Love Working Here: Supportive, team-driven culture that values collaboration, transparency, and accountability. Opportunity to grow your career with a global workforce solutions leader serving multiple industries. People-first environment that encourages employees to bring their authentic selves to work. Strong focus on partnership, innovation, and delivering meaningful results for clients and candidates. Why This Opportunity is Exciting: This role offers the opportunity to join a company that prioritizes both people and performance-where your contributions directly impact client success while providing you with room to grow and develop professionally. About Acara Solutions Acara is a premier recruiting and workforce solutions provider- we help companies compete for talent. With experience across industries worldwide, we partner with clients, listen to their needs, and design talent solutions that deliver the business outcomes they want. We draw on decades of experience to provide contingent staffing, direct placement, executive search, and workforce services worldwide. Sound like a good fit? APPLY TODAY What You'll Do: As a vertically integrated company with co-located design, fabrication, and test facilities, the client expects the Propulsion Director to be deeply engaged in hardware development while setting a clear technical vision and execution strategy. The successful candidate balances hands-on technical depth with people leadership, thrives in a fast-paced development environment, and drives a culture of rigorous testing, ownership, and continuous improvement. The scope of the propulsion engineering department spans launch vehicle engines, spacecraft propulsion, vehicle fluid systems, valve design, and propulsion analysis teams. Set and own the technical vision, strategy, and execution of all propulsion and fluid systems programs across launch vehicles and spacecraft. Lead, develop, and grow a multidisciplinary propulsion organization of ~100 engineers, fostering technical excellence, accountability, and professional growth. Maintain ownership of propulsion hardware and systems across the full lifecycle, from requirements definition and architecture trades through qualification, flight, and operations. Serve as a senior technical authority for propulsion and fluid systems, supporting major design reviews, test readiness reviews, anomaly resolution, and flight readiness activities. Collaborate closely with discipline chief engineers, vehicle chief engineers, and cross-functional teams including structures, avionics, software, manufacturing, integration, quality, and test. Drive propulsion system performance, reliability, cost, and manufacturability through disciplined design practices and data-driven decision-making. Ensure robust risk identification, mitigation, and closure through analysis, testing, and operational feedback. Oversee development, qualification, and acceptance testing of propulsion components, subsystems, and engines, with an emphasis on learning-oriented testing. Contribute directly to new engine and propulsion technology development, providing technical insight and guidance where needed. Establish and uphold engineering standards, best practices, and compliance with applicable industry and government requirements. Job Requirements What You'll Bring: Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering. 5+ years of experience in leading engineering teams, with success delivering complex hardware programs. 5+ years of experience in performing fluid systems sizing analysis with such components. 5+ years of experience in experience owning hardware from early concept through testing, qualification, and operation. 5+ years of Hands-on experience driving performance, reliability, or design-for-manufacturability initiatives. 8+ years of experience in the design, development, and testing of aerospace propulsion and fluid systems. What Sets You Apart: Strong technical foundation in propulsion system design, fluid dynamics, combustion, turbomachinery, thermodynamics, and thermal systems, with the ability to apply first principles to develop robust solutions. Deep knowledge of cryogenic and storable propellant systems, including cryogenic, high-pressure, and high-temperature operations. Experience with liquid rocket engines, launch vehicles, or spacecraft propulsion systems, including development and operation. Experience designing, developing, testing, and integrating fluid and pressurized system components, including valves, regulators, pumps, piping, tubing, pressure transducers, seals, and instrumentation. Working knowledge of manufacturing, fabrication, assembly, inspection, testing, and quality control for fluid and pressurized hardware. Familiarity with applicable aerospace standards and requirements, including SMC-S-016 and SMC-S-025. Familiarity with multiple engine cycle architectures, including gas generator, staged combustion, and full-flow staged combustion. Ability to develop effective solutions in environments with evolving or partially defined requirements and take ownership across the full hardware lifecycle from concept through operation. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across engineering teams and represent propulsion programs to internal and external stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to build high-performing engineering teams, drive technical execution, and advance propulsion technologies. Additional Information: Upon offer of employment, the individual will be subject to a background check and drug screen. After you apply, you may receive a call or message from our AI Talent Scout about this role or other opportunities that match your skills and preferences. AI agent role is to help speed up your hiring process by answering questions, confirming basic information, and identifying whether there's a mutual fit. The call or chat may be recorded so that our recruiting team can review it - they make all final hiring decisions, while AI agent simply helps move you forward faster. The best part? They are available 24/7, so you can connect whenever it's convenient for you. By applying for this job, you agree to receive calls, AI-generated calls, text messages, or emails from Acara Solutions and its affiliates, and contracted partners. Frequency varies for text messages. Message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. You can reply STOP to cancel and HELP for help. You can access our privacy policy at Website Privacy Policy \| Acara Aleron companies (Acara Solutions, Aleron Shared Resources, Broadleaf Results, Lume Strategies, TalentRise, Viaduct) are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Race/Color/Gender/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Veteran. Applicants for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position does not meet the employment requirements for individuals with F-1 OPT STEM work authorization status. Apply