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$55K

$96.6K

$131K

How much do propulsion controls engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for propulsion controls engineering in the United States is $96,574.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,500.00 and $108,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is a controls engineer a job in demand?

Controls engineering is a growing field with strong demand in industries such as aerospace, manufacturing, and automation. Professionals with skills in PLC programming, control systems, and experience with tools like MATLAB or Simulink are particularly sought after, especially as industries adopt more advanced automation technologies.

What is the difference between Propulsion Controls Engineering vs Mechanical Engineering?

AspectPropulsion Controls EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering; experience with control systemsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; often includes CAD and thermodynamics
Work EnvironmentDesigning and testing propulsion control systems, often in aerospace or defense industriesDesigning mechanical systems, product development, manufacturing
Industry UsagePrimarily in aerospace, defense, and transportation sectorsBroadly in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and energy sectors

Propulsion Controls Engineering focuses on designing and managing control systems for propulsion units, often requiring specialized knowledge of control theory and electrical systems. Mechanical Engineering covers a wider range of mechanical systems and components. Both roles share foundational engineering principles but differ in their specific applications and industry focus.

What is Propulsion Controls Engineering?

Propulsion Controls Engineering is a specialized field focused on designing, developing, and maintaining the control systems that manage the operation of propulsion systems, such as engines or motors, in vehicles like ships, aircraft, and spacecraft. Engineers in this role ensure that propulsion units operate safely, efficiently, and reliably by integrating software, electronics, and mechanical components. They often work on projects involving automation, diagnostics, and optimization of propulsion performance. This field is critical in industries like aerospace, marine, and automotive engineering.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Propulsion Controls Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Propulsion Controls Engineer, you need a strong background in mechanical or electrical engineering, control systems, and propulsion technologies, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with simulation software (such as MATLAB/Simulink), PLC programming, and industry standards or certifications like EIT or PE is common. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication skills set outstanding engineers apart in this field. These skills and qualifications are crucial for developing, testing, and maintaining reliable and efficient propulsion control systems in complex engineering environments.

What are some common challenges faced by propulsion controls engineers when integrating new control systems into existing propulsion platforms?

Propulsion controls engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring compatibility between legacy hardware and new control algorithms, managing system stability during integration, and verifying that safety and regulatory standards are consistently met. Effective collaboration with multidisciplinary teams—including software developers, electrical engineers, and test engineers—is crucial to address these complexities. Additionally, rigorous testing and validation must be conducted to minimize risks and guarantee reliable performance before deployment.

Is propulsion engineer a good career?

Propulsion engineering is a specialized field involving the design, development, and testing of propulsion systems for aerospace and automotive applications. It offers opportunities in industries such as aerospace, defense, and transportation, often requiring strong technical skills, engineering degrees, and knowledge of control systems and thermodynamics. The career can be rewarding for those interested in advanced technology and innovation, with potential for growth and specialization.

What engineering jobs pay $500,000?

In propulsion controls engineering, high-level roles such as senior or lead engineers in aerospace or defense companies can reach or exceed $500,000 annually, especially with experience, specialized skills, and bonuses. Executive positions like engineering managers or directors may also earn this level of compensation, often requiring advanced certifications and leadership experience.

What does a propulsion engineer do?

A propulsion engineer designs, develops, tests, and maintains propulsion systems for vehicles such as aircraft, spacecraft, or ships. They analyze performance data, troubleshoot system issues, and ensure compliance with safety and industry standards, often using tools like CAD software and simulation programs. Their work requires strong technical skills, knowledge of thermodynamics and fluid dynamics, and relevant certifications or training.
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Propulsion Controls Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Propulsion Controls Engineering job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $96,574 per year, or $46.4 per hour.
Staff Propulsion Controls & Software Engineer

Staff Propulsion Controls & Software Engineer

Odys Aviation

Long Beach, CA • On-site

$165K - $205K/yr

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

About Odys
Our mission at Odys is simple - we build safe, sustainable aircraft to cut travel time in half on the world's busiest corridors. Our flagship aircraft Alta enables travelers to skip the big-airport hassle by using city helipads and local airports to connect cities less than 1,000 miles apart (approx 40% of flights). And on average cut CO2 by 76% on tens of billions of flight miles globally.
To get there, we start with our UAV called Laila for commercial logistics, medical transport, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and defense missions. We're deploying aircraft with launch partners (Fiji Airways, Honeywell, Aramex, US Navy) beginning in 2026 and already have firm orders for aircraft under contract.
We're a team of expert engineers from deep tech and aerospace that focus on fast iterations loops (completed transition flight faster than our peers) combined with mastery of the aircraft certification process. Previously, our team developed custom drones, brought multiple automotive platforms into production, and electrified transportation vehicles that magnetically levitate, that roll, that fly. Together, we've been learning, developing, building, testing, and preparing for this challenge our entire lives.
About the Role
Odys Aviation is at the forefront of developing hybrid-electric aircraft to enable sustainable regional air travel. As the Staff Propulsion Controls & Software Engineer, you will be responsible for the controls, embedded software, and simulation infrastructure supporting our SiC-based propulsion power electronics for both the Laila (UAV) and Alta (Hybrid-electric VTOL) programs.
This role focuses on controls and software development. You will be tasked with designing and tuning algorithms for our motor drives, active rectifiers, and DC/DC converters, as well as the hybrid system controller that coordinates these components. Additionally, you will develop high-fidelity models to predict their behavior, establish MIL/SIL/HIL infrastructures for verification, and deliver the production firmware for operation. The design of power electronics hardware will remain with peer engineers; your responsibility is to ensure their systems achieve optimal performance.
The primary deliverable is a propulsion stack that aligns with simulation results, complies with aerospace certification requirements, and is robust enough to perform effectively in real flight conditions.
Responsibilities
  • Design, implement, and optimize discrete-time control loops for PMSM drives, active rectifiers, and DC/DC converters, including FOC with MTPA/MTPV, flux-weakening, sensorless observers, SVPWM/DPWM, PLLs, and digital filters.
  • Develop the Hybrid System Controller (HSC), which encompasses supervisory power-split and energy-management logic to coordinate the turbogenerator, battery, DC bus, and propulsion inverters. Responsibilities include managing mode transitions, startup and shutdown sequencing, and powertrain-level fault arbitration.
  • Develop EMI-aware modulation and switching-frequency strategies for SiC stages operating at frequencies greater than 20-40 kHz; manage DC-link ripple, torque ripple, and acoustic constraints through software.
  • Build and maintain high-fidelity propulsion models - including machines, SiC inverters/rectifiers, DC-link, batteries, propulsors, and sensors - using MATLAB/Simulink, Simscape, and PLECS. Identify parameters from bench and rig data and resolve discrepancies between models and experimental results.
  • Establish and manage MIL/SIL/HIL environments using Typhoon HIL, OPAL-RT, and Speedgoat. Develop automated regression and fault-injection test suites, and release real-time model variants through Git-based continuous integration.
  • Transition algorithms from model to target via Embedded Coder or hand-written C/C++ for DSP platforms (such as TI C2000, ARM Cortex-R/M, or equivalent). Deliver production firmware, including fixed-point implementation, fault detection, isolation and recovery (FDIR), diagnostics, and safe-state behavior.
  • Translate system architecture into control specifications, simulation studies, and firmware requirements, and proactively communicate implementation risks to the systems architect.
  • Define real-time communications and interface control documents (ICDs) for CAN/CAN-FD/Ethernet protocols. Support dyno and iron-bird system integration, correlate simulation with hardware performance, and iterate designs to meet specifications.
  • Produce deliverables aligned with DO-178C, DO-254, and ARP4754B standards, including design specifications, modeling reports, calibration guides, and verification evidence. Establish review processes and standardize templates for the controls and simulation workflow.
Requirements
  • MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, or Controls; candidates with a BS and significant relevant experience will also be considered.
  • A minimum of 8 years of experience in developing controls and embedded software for high-power motor drives or power converters.
  • In-depth expertise in PMSM control systems, including d-q theory, field-oriented control (FOC), space vector PWM (SVPWM)/discontinuous PWM (DPWM), observers, sensorless techniques, flux-weakening, and fault detection.
  • Proficient knowledge of SiC MOSFET-based stages, encompassing switching behavior, gate-driver interactions, dead-time effects, and high-voltage protection-sufficient to design control and protection logic in adherence with device physics, even if not responsible for schematic drafting.
  • Skilled in MATLAB/Simulink, Simscape, and PLECS for powertrain modeling, with familiarity in SPICE for device-level analysis.
  • Proven experience with MIL/SIL/HIL methodologies, including establishing new hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) environments and developing automated test suites.
  • Experience in production embedded implementation utilizing Embedded Coder or hand-coded C/C++ on DSPs, fixed-point arithmetic, real-time scheduling, and on-target debugging.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead controls and embedded subsystem development from concept.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Aerospace or eVTOL powertrain experience, with familiarity in FAA/EASA certification processes.
  • Experience with DO-178C compliance in regulated environments, as well as working familiarity with DO-254, ARP4754B, FMEA/FTA, and requirements traceability.
  • Hands-on experience with Typhoon, OPAL-RT, and Speedgoat platforms, utilizing advanced Python/MATLAB test automation and Git-based continuous integration for models and code.
  • Practical experience in production sensorless control, wide-range flux-weakening, ride-through, and limp-mode strategies, either in flight or field applications.
  • Expertise in generator-mode and active-rectifier control for high-speed machines, including multi-three-phase PWM synchronization and circulating-current mitigation.
  • Integration of BMS and flight controls over CAN, CAN-FD, and Ethernet, with familiarity in TSN/PTP time-synchronization.

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