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Chemical Propulsion Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Our mission is to provide cutting-edge solutions for spacecraft propulsion, including electric propulsion (EP), chemical propulsion, and novel technologies such as electrospray thrusters. At Busek ...

Busek is a leading innovator in space propulsion and engineering solutions, specializing in electric propulsion, chemical propulsion, and related technologies. Our expertise includes Hall effect ...

Busek is a leading innovator in space propulsion and engineering solutions, specializing in electric propulsion, chemical propulsion, and related technologies. Our expertise includes Hall effect ...

Our mission is to provide cutting-edge solutions for spacecraft propulsion, including electric propulsion (EP), chemical propulsion, and novel technologies such as electrospray thrusters. At Busek ...

2026 Summer Intern

Natick, MA · On-site

$20 - $30/hr

Our products and technologies include electric propulsion systems, chemical propulsion, and advanced material development. Join our team to work on cutting-edge projects that shape the space industry.

2026 Summer Intern

Natick, MA · On-site

$17.25 - $22.50/hr

Our products and technologies include electric propulsion systems, chemical propulsion, and advanced material development. Join our team to work on cutting-edge projects that shape the space industry.

Accounts Payable Associate

Natick, MA · On-site

$20.75 - $26.50/hr

Our products and technologies include electric propulsion systems, chemical propulsion, and advanced material development. Join our team to work on cutting-edge projects that shape the space industry.

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Chemical Propulsion information

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How much do chemical propulsion jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for chemical propulsion in the United States is $20.48, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.51 and $21.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is chemical propulsion?

Chemical propulsion is a method of generating thrust for rockets and spacecraft by using chemical reactions, typically involving the combustion of propellants. In this process, fuel and an oxidizer react in a combustion chamber to produce hot gases that are expelled at high speed through a nozzle, creating thrust according to Newton's third law of motion. Chemical propulsion systems are commonly used in both launch vehicles and spacecraft due to their high thrust capabilities, making them essential for escaping Earth's gravity and maneuvering in space. They come in two main types: liquid-propellant and solid-propellant engines. Each type has its own advantages, such as controllability for liquids and simplicity for solids.

What is the difference between Chemical Propulsion vs Rocket Propulsion Technician?

AspectChemical PropulsionRocket Propulsion Technician
CredentialsEngineering degree, certifications in propulsion systemsTechnical diploma or degree, specialized training in rocket systems
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, manufacturing facilities, testing sitesLaunch sites, testing facilities, aerospace companies
Industry UsageSpace agencies, defense contractors, aerospace firmsSpacecraft manufacturers, aerospace companies, government agencies

Both roles involve working with propulsion systems, but Chemical Propulsion focuses on designing and developing propulsion technologies, while Rocket Propulsion Technicians primarily handle assembly, testing, and maintenance of rocket engines. Understanding these differences helps professionals choose the right career path within the aerospace industry.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in chemical propulsion engineering, and how can they be addressed?

Chemical propulsion engineers often face challenges such as managing the complexity of propulsion system designs, ensuring safety in handling hazardous propellants, and meeting strict performance and environmental regulations. Collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams—including materials scientists, safety engineers, and project managers—helps address these challenges. Staying updated on advancements in simulation tools and best practices, as well as engaging in continuous learning, is key to overcoming technical hurdles and ensuring the reliability of propulsion systems in aerospace applications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chemical propulsion engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chemical Propulsion Engineer, you need a solid background in aerospace or chemical engineering, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Expertise with propulsion simulation software, CAD tools, and familiarity with industry standards or certifications such as EIT or PE can be essential. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication abilities set top professionals apart in this field. These skills are crucial for designing, testing, and optimizing safe and efficient propulsion systems in high-stakes aerospace environments.
More about Chemical Propulsion jobs
What cities are hiring for Chemical Propulsion jobs? Cities with the most Chemical Propulsion job openings:
What states have the most Chemical Propulsion jobs? States with the most job openings for Chemical Propulsion jobs include:
Infographic showing various Chemical Propulsion job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,592 per year, or $20.5 per hour.

Senior Propulsion Engineer, Space with Security Clearance

Anduril Industries

Costa Mesa, CA • On-site

$110K - $152K/yr

Other

Posted 19 days ago


Anduril rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Anduril

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Manufacturers average

Based on 75,192 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century's most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years. ABOUT THE TEAM Anduril's Space team is dedicated to expanding our AI-powered capabilities into the final frontier, enhancing Space Domain Awareness, Space Control, and Command and Control for U.S. military and allied partners. We're developing fully integrated hardware and software systems, including Lattice for Space Missions and modular payloads, to address growing threats in space and ensure our Guardians maintain a decisive advantage in this contested war-fighting domain. WHY WE'RE HERE As a Propulsion Engineer for our Space team, you will contribute to the understanding and design of all satellite propulsion subsystems to include but not limited to chemical propulsion, electric propulsion, and hybrid systems. You will be responsible for possessing deep knowledge on state-of-the-art propulsion systems and their applicability towards different mission threads. You will assist with the successful implementation of the propulsion systems into the spacecraft system and become familiar with Anduril's ground software enterprise and orbital flight software systems for operations. The propulsion team will work closely with related teams, such as the spacecraft design, GNC, ground, and flight software to help improve both the ground and satellite-based capabilities conducting highly complex missions with maneuvering capabilities but above all else will be responsible for the successful design, test and operations of the propulsion subsystem onboard Anduril's fleet of spacecraft. This role is directly tied to ongoing, funded programs within Anduril's Space Business Line. The programs require building and fielding a resilient, software-defined spacecraft systems across numerous mission threads. We work with mission partners and customers to deploy reliable and robust capabilities on operationally-relevant fielding timelines to meet complex challenges across the DOD and IC . WHAT YOU'LL DO * Support the spacecraft propulsion subsystems for various spacecraft programs in all orbital regimes and work closely with bus providers for successful implementation * Develop modern, software-defined approaches to autonomous spacecraft operations with maneuvering capabilities to successfully accomplish mission objectives * Own the delta-V budgets and propulsion subsystem sizing to satisfy mission requirements * Develop appropriate test plans and procedures to validate the propulsion system during ground checkout, on-orbit calibration and commissioning and on-orbit operations * Develop the necessary fueling plans and procedures for the implemented propulsion system * Collaborate across multiple teams to plan, build, and test complex functionality. * Coordinate with end-users, other operators and customers to turn needs into features while balancing user experience with engineering constraints. * Support challenging schedules during ground testing, launch windows and on-orbit operations of the spacecraft systems. * Work with other teams and government agencies to achieve the required licenses (DOT, etc) for transporting fully fueled or pressurized containers within the spacecraft to the appropriate test and launch facilities REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS * Strong engineering background from industry or school, ideally in areas/fields such as Aerospace Engineering, Orbital Mechanics or other engineering degree. * Ability to quickly understand and navigate complex systems and detailed requirements. * Experience with chemical, electrical and hybrid propulsion sub-subsystem design for spacecraft * Experience with managing propulsion vendors for successful delivery against mission and sub-system requirements * Experience conducting spacecraft operations and satellite command and control with an emphasis on system reliability and uptime. * Experience with orbital mechanics and resident space object tracking capabilities * Capable of solving complex technical problems with little oversight * Clear communication and organizational skills including documentation and training material * Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS * Experience with Python, Go, C++ and/or Linux systems * A desire to work on critical software and hardware designs in the space domain. * Experience testing propulsion subsystems in laboratory environments that mimic the space environmental constraints * Experience with testing/validation leveraging FlatSats, Hardware-in-the-Loop testbeds and digital spacecraft simulators through nominal and fault scenarios * Exposure to US satellite operations policy and constraints for relevant mission threads in all orbits US Salary Range $166,000 - $250,000 USD The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including: Benefits At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you're supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits . Protecting Yourself from Recruitment Scams Anduril is committed to maintaining the integrity of our Talent acquisition process and the security of our candidates. We've observed a rise in sophisticated phishing and fraudulent schemes where individuals impersonate Anduril representatives, luring job seekers with false interviews or job offers. These scammers often attempt to extract payment or sensitive personal information. To ensure your safety and help you navigate your job search with confidence, please keep the following critical points in mind: * No Financial Requests: Anduril will never solicit payment or demand personal financial details (such as banking information, credit card numbers, or social security numbers) at any stage of our hiring process. Our legitimate recruitment is entirely free for candidates. * Please always verify communications: * Direct from Anduril: If you receive an email from one of our recruiters, it will only come from an @anduril.com address. * Via Agency Partner: If contacted by a recruiting agency for an Anduril role, their email will clearly identify their agency. If you suspect any suspicious activity, please verify the agency's authenticity by reaching out to . * Exercise Caution with Unsolicited Outreach: If you receive any communication that appears suspicious, contains grammatical errors, or makes unusual requests, do not engage. Always confirm the sender's email domain is @anduril.com before providing any personal information or clicking on links. * What to Do If You Suspect Fraud: Should you encounter any questionable or fraudulent outreach claiming to be from Anduril, please report it immediately to . Your proactive caution is invaluable in protecting your personal information and upholding the security and trustworthiness of our recruitment efforts. Data Privacy To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/ . By submitting your application, you consent to Anduril Industries using a third-party service provider to conduct pre-employment risk, integrity, and due diligence screening and assessing potential risks as part of your application process. This third-party service provider provides risk-intelligence services that may include analysis of sanctions and watchlists, adverse media, public-record information, and other lawful open-source or commercial data sources. This third-party service provider does not act as a consumer reporting agency. Use of this provider helps to ensure compliance with applicable laws and protect technology, intellectual property, and organizational security.

Working at Anduril

About Anduril, in their own words

From Anduril

As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril delivers cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the warfighter in months, not years.


What Anduril employees say

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About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

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