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Propellant Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Firefly Aerospace

Test Engineer, Propulsion IV

TX · On-site

Specter is an engine built on site, tested on site, and operated by you to be ready to fly to the ... Execute propellant loading, engine conditioning, ignition sequences, and safing operations in ...

Northrop Grumman Corporation

$16/hr

Northrop Grumman is currently seekingunion Operators for our team in Rocket Center, West Virginia ... Mix/ Cast - Screen and weigh propellant ingredients, mix propellant, cast motors, disassemble, and ...

Quantum Space

Propulsion Engineer II

Rockville, MD · On-site

$110K - $160K/yr

Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, iterative spacecraft development environment Nice-to-Have Experience * Experience leading significant engineering tasks supporting the development of propellant ...

Amentum

Senior CFM Engineer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$103K - $141K/yr

Cryogenic Propellant Transfer Testing - Develop NASA vacuum chamber facility capability for low ... operated, vacuum-rated, motorized cryogenic fluid valve assemblies including programmable control ...

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Second Operator

Magna, UT · On-site

$17 - $22.50/hr

... and propellant. • Demonstrated skills to operate overhead cranes, hand tools and remotely operated equipment. • Demonstrated ability to safely perform spotting operations and demonstrated ...

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Second Operator

Magna, UT · On-site

$17 - $22.50/hr

Responsibilities include safely conducting manual hands on activities involving energetic ingredients and propellant. Demonstrated skills to operate overhead cranes, hand tools and remotely operated ...

Pae

Senior CFM Engineer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$103K - $141K/yr

Cryogenic Propellant Transfer Testing - Develop NASA vacuum chamber facility capability for low ... operated, vacuum-rated, motorized cryogenic fluid valve assemblies including programmable control ...

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Third Operator

Magna, UT · On-site

$17 - $22.50/hr

... and propellant. • Demonstrated skills to operate overhead cranes, hand tools and remotely operated equipment. • Demonstrated ability to safely perform spotting operations and demonstrated ...

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Propellant Operator information

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$14

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How much do propellant operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for propellant operator in the United States is $19.51, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.07 and $20.91 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a propellant operator?

To thrive as a Propellant Operator, you need a strong understanding of chemical handling, safety protocols, and mechanical systems, often supported by a high school diploma or relevant technical training. Familiarity with hazardous materials procedures, monitoring equipment, and safety certifications such as OSHA HAZMAT are typically required. Attention to detail, effective communication, and the ability to work calmly under pressure are important soft skills in this role. These competencies are crucial for maintaining safety, ensuring operational efficiency, and preventing accidents in environments where hazardous materials are handled.

What safety challenges do propellant operators face and how are they addressed?

Propellant Operators often work with highly sensitive and potentially hazardous materials, making safety a top priority. Common challenges include handling volatile chemicals, preventing contamination, and ensuring precise measurements during mixing and transfer. These challenges are addressed through rigorous adherence to safety protocols, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), regular safety drills, and close coordination with safety engineers and quality control teams. Continuous training and clear communication within the team help maintain a safe work environment and minimize risks.

What is the difference between Propellant Operator vs Rocket Propellant Technician?

AspectPropellant OperatorRocket Propellant Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma, safety certificationsHigh school diploma, safety certifications, specialized training
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, fueling stationsRocket testing facilities, aerospace labs
Industry UsageSpace agencies, defense contractorsSpace agencies, aerospace companies
Job FocusHandling, mixing, and fueling propellantsPreparing, testing, and maintaining rocket propellants

While both roles involve working with rocket propellants, Propellant Operators primarily handle fueling and safety procedures in manufacturing settings. Rocket Propellant Technicians focus more on preparing and testing propellants in aerospace laboratories. Understanding these distinctions helps job seekers identify the right career path in the space industry.

What is a propellant operator?

Propellant operators are specialized technicians who are responsible for handling, preparing, and transferring propellants—such as rocket fuels or other energetic materials—used in aerospace, defense, or industrial applications. Their duties often include monitoring equipment, ensuring safety protocols are followed, and managing the storage and transportation of hazardous substances. Propellant operators play a crucial role in the functioning of facilities that require precise handling of volatile chemicals, and must be thoroughly trained in safety and emergency response procedures.
More about Propellant Operator jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Propellant Operator jobs? The most popular types of Propellant Operator jobs are:
What job categories do people searching Propellant Operator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Propellant Operator jobs are:
Propellant Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Propellant Operator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 43% Full Time, 55% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,576 per year, or $19.5 per hour.

Senior Propulsion Development Engineer, Test Stand

True Anomaly

Denver, CO • On-site

$107K - $142K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.
OUR MISSION
True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors - enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.
OUR VALUES
  • Be the offset. We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.
  • What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.
  • It's the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together.

YOUR MISSION
As a Senior Propulsion Development Engineer at True Anomaly, you will be the hands-on design and build lead for the ground systems and facility infrastructure that make our new Denver Front Range propulsion test stand operational. You will create detailed designs for hypergolic propellant feed systems, GSE, fluid system plumbing, structural hardware, and supporting facility systems - then see those designs through fabrication, installation, and commissioning. Working with highly toxic and reactive propellants demands an uncompromising approach to design rigor and safety, and you will help design the systems that meet that standard for the facility. This is a builder's role: you will leave a lasting mark on a test capability that will power True Anomaly's propulsion programs for years to come.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Hypergolic System Design
  • Lead the detailed mechanical design of hypergolic propellant feed systems, including propellant storage vessels, transfer lines, fill and drain assemblies, valve configurations, and pressurization circuits for a new test stand.
  • Select fluid system components and assemblies compatible with hypergolic propellants (NTO, MMH, UDMH, or similar), including sizing, material selection, seal compatibility, leak containment, and pressure ratings.
  • Develop and own P&IDs for hypergolic propellant and pressurant systems; ensure designs incorporate appropriate redundancy, isolation, and emergency safing capabilities.
  • Design propellant offload, storage, and transfer infrastructure including secondary containment, vent and drain routing, and neutralization provisions.
  • Integrate hypergolic system designs with fire suppression, facility exhaust and scrubbing systems, personnel protection provisions, and facility control interfaces.
  • Apply and enforce applicable design standards and material compatibility requirements throughout all hypergolic system designs.

Test Stand Structural & Mechanical Design
  • Design the primary test stand structure including thrust measurement systems, engine/thruster mount interfaces, and load paths for anticipated thrust levels and dynamic loads.
  • Detail mechanical designs for run tank assemblies, GSE carts, propellant conditioning systems, and ancillary facility hardware.
  • Produce fully detailed CAD models and engineering drawings suitable for fabrication, procurement, and third-party review.
  • Conduct or coordinate structural and pressure system analyses including FEA, pressure budget calculations, and proof and burst margin verification.
  • Design for maintainability, access, and operational safety - ensuring that technicians can safely configure, operate, and service all systems.

Fabrication, Procurement & Build
  • Develop fabrication packages including drawings, material specifications, weld and joining requirements, and acceptance criteria for test stand hardware.
  • Identify and qualify vendors for fabricated components, pressure vessels, specialty valves, instrumentation, and other long-lead hardware; provide technical oversight throughout procurement.
  • Support and oversee the fabrication, assembly, and installation of designed systems; resolve fabrication anomalies and nonconformances.
  • Define and execute acceptance test requirements for delivered hardware, including proof pressure testing, leak checks, and functional verification.
  • Develop GSE and tooling needed to safely handle, install, and service hypergolic system components.

Safety & Compliance
  • Serve as the design authority for hypergolic system safety features; ensure all designs comply with applicable OSHA, EPA, NFPA, and DoD standards for toxic and reactive propellant handling.
  • Contribute to facility hazard analyses (PHA, FMEA) and support development of operating procedures from a design perspective, ensuring procedures accurately reflect as-built system configuration.
  • Coordinate with local authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ), fire marshal, and environmental regulators on facility design reviews and permitting requirements related to hypergolic propellant storage and operations.
  • Establish and document material compatibility requirements and cleaning and passivation standards for all wetted components.

Operational Test Support
  • Lead the mechanical commissioning of hypergolic facility systems, including system cleanliness verification, pressure testing, leak checks, and functional checkouts.
  • Maintain as-built documentation throughout facility construction and commissioning; ensure configuration control of all facility systems.
  • Provide ongoing design support during early test operations, including hardware modifications and continuous improvement initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Chemical Engineering.
  • 8+ years of professional experience in the design and build of propulsion ground systems, test facility hardware, or high-pressure fluid systems for aerospace or defense applications.
  • Demonstrated hands-on experience designing fluid systems for hypergolic, toxic, or highly reactive propellants, including material compatibility, secondary containment, and emergency safing provisions.
  • Proficiency with 3D CAD tools (NX, SolidWorks, or equivalent) and production of fully detailed engineering drawings for fabrication.
  • Experience developing P&IDs for propulsion or chemical process systems and working with pressure system design codes (ASME B31.3 or equivalent).
  • Solid understanding of pressure system safety requirements including proof, burst, and leak test margins, and relief device sizing.
  • Demonstrated ability to take a design from concept through fabrication, installation, and commissioning.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear technical documentation and interface with safety and regulatory stakeholders.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
  • Direct experience designing and building hypergolic propellant test stands or ground fluid systems for spacecraft or launch vehicle programs.
  • Familiarity with Hydrazine, NTO, MMH, UDMH, or red fuming nitric acid (RFNA) handling systems and the associated material, cleaning, and personal protective equipment requirements.
  • Experience coordinating with AHJs, fire marshals, or environmental regulators on permitting for hazardous chemical storage or operations.
  • Background in structural analysis or FEA for test stand structures and pressure vessels.
  • Familiarity with instrumentation and control system interfaces for propulsion test: pressure transducers, flow meters, thermocouples, automated valve control, and emergency shutdown systems.
  • Experience with cleaning, passivation, and cleanliness verification for hypergolic-compatible fluid systems.
  • Familiarity with Colorado Front Range permitting, zoning, or environmental requirements for toxic propellant storage and operations.
  • Active DoD security clearance (Secret or above), or ability to obtain one.

COMPENSATION
  • Base Salary: $135,000 to $190,000
  • Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Work Location-this role will be fully onsite at either our Centennial, CO office location.
  • Work environment-the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
  • Physical demands-the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

This position will be open until it is successfully filled. To submit your application, please follow the directions below.
#LI-Onsite
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us.

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