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Chief Propulsion Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Vast

Senior Propulsion Engineer

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$130K - $190K/yr

Vast is looking for a Senior Propulsion Engineer , reporting to the Senior Manager of E-2 ... Design: work with our team and Chief Engineer to advance the design of E-2. Create models and ...

Astrion

Chief Engineer

Chula Vista, CA · On-site

$65/hr

Naval schools or equivalent in Propulsion; Machinist Mate; Engineman; Damage Control; Air Conditioning and Refrigeration; etc. * A total of five (5) years of experience as a licensed Chief Engineer ...

Astrion

Chief Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$65/hr

Naval schools or equivalent in Propulsion; Machinist Mate; Engineman; Damage Control; Air Conditioning and Refrigeration; etc. * A total of five (5) years of experience as a licensed Chief Engineer ...

Astrion

Chief Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$65/hr

Naval schools or equivalent in Propulsion; Machinist Mate; Engineman; Damage Control; Air Conditioning and Refrigeration; etc. * A total of five (5) years of experience as a licensed Chief Engineer ...

Astrion

Chief Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$65/hr

Naval schools or equivalent in Propulsion; Machinist Mate; Engineman; Damage Control; Air Conditioning and Refrigeration; etc. * A total of five (5) years of experience as a licensed Chief Engineer ...

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How much do chief propulsion engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief propulsion engineer in the United States is $92,945.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,000.00 and $120,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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Infographic showing various Chief Propulsion Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,945 per year, or $44.7 per hour.

Senior Propulsion Engineer

Hawthorne, CA • On-site

Vast
See more jobs at Vastexternal

$130K - $190K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Support the design and development of the E-2 propulsion system, including creating models, drawings, and performing calculations.

  • Collaborate with manufacturing teams to produce engine parts, support assembly, testing, and incorporate feedback for design improvements.

  • Assist in engine testing, troubleshooting, and document processes to ensure proper integration and performance of propulsion components.

Job description

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station to ensure a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and unlocking a new space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Haven Demo's 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Next, Haven-1 is expected to become the world's first commercial space station when it launches in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo.
Headquartered in Long Beach, California, and with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has built the facilities required to manufacture and operate America's next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy.
Vast is looking for a Senior Propulsion Engineer, reporting to the Senior Manager of E-2 Engineering, to create the world's highest performing engine for small launchers, while optimizing for production and low cost. In this role, you will join a team with exciting momentum that has produced and successfully tested fully integrated engine development samples. You will be a key member who will help complete the flight engine design and transition the system from development to production.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Hawthorne location.
Responsibilities
  • Design: work with our team and Chief Engineer to advance the design of E-2. Create models and drawings of parts and assemblies. Perform calculations and analyses with team support.
  • Manufacturing: work with our internal manufacturing team to create finished E-2 parts. Support parts through 3d-printing, machining, post processing, and inspection. Incorporate feedback to improve design for manufacturing.
  • Assembly and test: support our integration team with propulsion component assembly build and testing
  • Create schematics and document processes
  • Participate in engine testing with our test team and support with troubleshooting as needed
  • Communicate effectively with entire team to regularly provide updates on progress and issues
  • Always follow proper safety procedures and wear personal protective equipment in the workplace

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
  • 5+ years of experience with mechanical design, development, fabrication, assembly, or test (internships included)

Preferred Skills and Experience:
  • Ability to work as a teammate and independently to achieve ambitious goals
  • Hands-on engineering (Full-stack: computer to wrench to broom)
  • Communication (Written, visual, slides)
  • CAD (NX preferred)
  • Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)
  • Problem-solving
  • Capable to grow positive, respectful, and professional relationships
  • Willing to make mistakes, take responsibilities, work independently and be transparent about your work
  • ANSYS
  • MATLAB

Additional Requirements:
  • Able to lift 25 lbs unassisted
  • Work in an outdoor environment exposed to extreme weather conditions
  • Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones

Pay Range: California
$130,000-$190,000 USD
We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off; up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non-exempt staff with the ability to cash-out unused vacation annually, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks. We also take pride in offering exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee & onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized as part of Vast's ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees.
U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUSThe person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a "U.S. person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This status includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

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