Propulsion Engineer Jobs in California
Propulsion Engineer jobs in California are concentrated in the Los Angeles Basin, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where aerospace and defense contractors anchor the market with consistent demand for specialists in rocket propulsion, electric propulsion, and hypersonic systems. Employers with deep, lasting roots in California's propulsion sector include Aerojet Rocketdyne, Northrop Grumman, and SpaceX, each of which maintains major engineering facilities in the state. Openings reach from entry-level design engineers through senior principal and staff-level roles, making California among the most active propulsion engineering markets in the country. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find Propulsion Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 96+ Propulsion Engineer jobs
Why Castelion, Why Now
Castelion is moving incredibly fast to develop and deliver advanced defense systems at a time when execution matters more than ever. We believe focus, ownership, and excellence are decisive advantages - and we're building a world-class team to turn bold ideas into real capability.
This is a rare opportunity to join at an early stage, where you'll have significant ownership, collaborate with exceptional teammates, and make a direct, measurable impact on our mission and the future of the company - regardless of your function.
Propulsion Engineer (Solid Rocket Motor Ballistics)
We are seeking a solid rocket motor ballistician to own the performance predictions of our motors. This position is central to our ability to deliver at speed and scale, with a strong emphasis on driving technically sound designs that meet aggressive schedule, affordability, and production goals.
Responsibilities
- Design and develop rocket motor systems, including grain geometry, case structures, insulation, and nozzle assemblies.
- Lead the architecture and detailed design of propulsion hardware to meet performance, structural, and thermal requirements
- Perform internal ballistics, thermal, and structural analyses to ensure motor performance and reliability under extreme operating conditions
- Advance the internal Castelion capabilities for analysis predictions and correlation to tests for solid rocket motor propellant as well as ignition systems (BKNO3)
- Work closely with structures, thermal, GNC, and manufacturing teams to ensure seamless integration of propulsion systems with the vehicle
- Support propellant selection, processing, and characterization in collaboration with materials and manufacturing teams
- Plan and execute static fire tests and development test campaigns, including instrumentation, data collection, and post-test analysis
- Conduct failure analysis and root cause investigations, driving design improvements and risk reduction
- Define and execute qualification and flight test plans, translating results into system-level improvements
- Optimize designs for performance, mass, manufacturability, and operational reliability
- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to best practices in propulsion system design and testing
- Partner closely with program leadership to make technical trades aligned with mission success
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
- 2+ years of experience in rocket propulsion design, analysis, and testing for aerospace or defense applications
- Strong background in solid rocket motor design, including internal ballistics, grain design, ignitors, and nozzle performance
- Experience with propulsion testing, including static fire test setup, instrumentation, and data analysis
- Familiarity with structural and thermal design considerations for high-temperature, high-pressure systems
- Proficiency in analysis and modeling tools (e.g., MATLAB, SPP, or equivalent)
- Experience with hardware build, integration, and troubleshooting in a lab or test environment
- Strong problem-solving mindset, thriving in a fast-paced, hardware-rich, high test cadence environment
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Experience with preliminary / conceptual design from performance requirements for solid rocket motor grains
- Experience with pyrotechnic and pyrogenic ignition systems and characterizing ignitor performance.
- Experience with grain and nozzle optimization for tactical SRM systems.
- Experience correlating analytical models with physical test data.
- Aerospace, hypersonic, launch vehicle, spacecraft, or other high-performance flight hardware experience.
- Experience establishing engineering standards or methodologies.
- Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop engineers technically.
- Experience working with composites, coatings, finishes, and advanced manufacturing processes.
Additional Requirements
- Willing and able to work extended hours and/or weekends with minimal notification to meet critical deadlines leading up to major milestones.
- Able to travel up to 30% on an ongoing basis
Castelion offers a generous benefits package. Please refer to the bottom of our Careers page for more details.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Additional Eligibility Requirements
This position may require access to classified information or restricted U.S. Government sites, systems, or information, as determined by the Company and/or applicable U.S. Government requirements. If the position is so designated, your employment in the role may be contingent upon your ability to obtain and maintain the required U.S. Government security clearance or other government authorization, and to satisfy any citizenship or other eligibility requirements imposed by applicable law, regulation, executive order, or government contract requirements. You will be notified if and when such requirements apply.
Affirmative Action/EEO Statement
Castelion is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Castelion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, participate in the interview process, or otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact hr@castelion.com. Requests for accommodation will be considered on an individual basis and handled in accordance with applicable law.
Castelion is committed to fostering a workplace where employment decisions are based on qualifications, business needs, and the ability to perform the essential functions of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation.
EAR/ITAR Requirements
This position requires access to export-controlled information, and as such, employment (or hiring of a contractor) is contingent upon the candidate's ability to access all applicable export-controlled information without additional export licensing being required by the Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.
Why Castelion, Why Now
Castelion is moving incredibly fast to develop and deliver advanced defense systems at a time when execution matters more than ever. We believe focus, ownership, and excellence are decisive advantages - and we're building a world-class team to turn bold ideas into real capability.
This is a rare opportunity to join at an early stage, where you'll have significant ownership, collaborate with exceptional teammates, and make a direct, measurable impact on our mission and the future of the company - regardless of your function.
Propulsion Engineer (Solid Rocket Motor Ballistics)
We are seeking a solid rocket motor ballistician to own the performance predictions of our motors. This position is central to our ability to deliver at speed and scale, with a strong emphasis on driving technically sound designs that meet aggressive schedule, affordability, and production goals.
Responsibilities
- Design and develop rocket motor systems, including grain geometry, case structures, insulation, and nozzle assemblies.
- Lead the architecture and detailed design of propulsion hardware to meet performance, structural, and thermal requirements
- Perform internal ballistics, thermal, and structural analyses to ensure motor performance and reliability under extreme operating conditions
- Advance the internal Castelion capabilities for analysis predictions and correlation to tests for solid rocket motor propellant as well as ignition systems (BKNO3)
- Work closely with structures, thermal, GNC, and manufacturing teams to ensure seamless integration of propulsion systems with the vehicle
- Support propellant selection, processing, and characterization in collaboration with materials and manufacturing teams
- Plan and execute static fire tests and development test campaigns, including instrumentation, data collection, and post-test analysis
- Conduct failure analysis and root cause investigations, driving design improvements and risk reduction
- Define and execute qualification and flight test plans, translating results into system-level improvements
- Optimize designs for performance, mass, manufacturability, and operational reliability
- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to best practices in propulsion system design and testing
- Partner closely with program leadership to make technical trades aligned with mission success
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
- 2+ years of experience in rocket propulsion design, analysis, and testing for aerospace or defense applications
- Strong background in solid rocket motor design, including internal ballistics, grain design, ignitors, and nozzle performance
- Experience with propulsion testing, including static fire test setup, instrumentation, and data analysis
- Familiarity with structural and thermal design considerations for high-temperature, high-pressure systems
- Proficiency in analysis and modeling tools (e.g., MATLAB, SPP, or equivalent)
- Experience with hardware build, integration, and troubleshooting in a lab or test environment
- Strong problem-solving mindset, thriving in a fast-paced, hardware-rich, high test cadence environment
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Experience with preliminary / conceptual design from performance requirements for solid rocket motor grains
- Experience with pyrotechnic and pyrogenic ignition systems and characterizing ignitor performance.
- Experience with grain and nozzle optimization for tactical SRM systems.
- Experience correlating analytical models with physical test data.
- Aerospace, hypersonic, launch vehicle, spacecraft, or other high-performance flight hardware experience.
- Experience establishing engineering standards or methodologies.
- Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop engineers technically.
- Experience working with composites, coatings, finishes, and advanced manufacturing processes.
Additional Requirements
- Willing and able to work extended hours and/or weekends with minimal notification to meet critical deadlines leading up to major milestones.
- Able to travel up to 30% on an ongoing basis
Castelion offers a generous benefits package. Please refer to the bottom of our Careers page for more details.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Additional Eligibility Requirements
This position may require access to classified information or restricted U.S. Government sites, systems, or information, as determined by the Company and/or applicable U.S. Government requirements. If the position is so designated, your employment in the role may be contingent upon your ability to obtain and maintain the required U.S. Government security clearance or other government authorization, and to satisfy any citizenship or other eligibility requirements imposed by applicable law, regulation, executive order, or government contract requirements. You will be notified if and when such requirements apply.
Affirmative Action/EEO Statement
Castelion is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Castelion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, participate in the interview process, or otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact hr@castelion.com. Requests for accommodation will be considered on an individual basis and handled in accordance with applicable law.
Castelion is committed to fostering a workplace where employment decisions are based on qualifications, business needs, and the ability to perform the essential functions of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation.
EAR/ITAR Requirements
This position requires access to export-controlled information, and as such, employment (or hiring of a contractor) is contingent upon the candidate's ability to access all applicable export-controlled information without additional export licensing being required by the Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.
See All 96 Propulsion Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Propulsion Engineer JobsPropulsion Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Propulsion Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Impulse Space10
- Apex Technology10
- Anduril7
- Rocket Lab USA7
- The Aerospace Corporation5
Top Industries Hiring
- Automotive
- Aerospace & Defense
- Transportation & Logistics
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in propulsion engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or advanced degree in aerospace, mechanical, or chemical engineering from an accredited program
- Hands-on experience with propulsion system design, analysis, or testing in an aerospace or defense context
- Proficiency in computational fluid dynamics and propulsion modeling tools such as ANSYS or MATLAB
- Ability to obtain or hold an active U.S. security clearance, required by most California defense employers
- Familiarity with liquid, solid, or electric propulsion hardware development and systems integration processes
- Experience working within structured engineering development frameworks such as NASA or DoD systems engineering standards
Propulsion Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a propulsion engineer in California?
A bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, or chemical engineering is the standard entry point for propulsion engineer roles in California. California does not require a state-issued professional license to work as a propulsion engineer in private industry, though many senior engineers pursue Professional Engineer registration through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. Employers in the defense sector typically require candidates to be eligible for a federal security clearance, which is a practical credential that shapes California hiring decisions more than any state exam.
Which companies hire propulsion engineers in California?
California propulsion engineer roles are posted by Impulse Space, Apex Technology, and Anduril and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of aerospace primes, commercial launch companies, and national laboratories makes it one of the deepest hiring pools for propulsion talent in the country.
Which California cities have the most propulsion engineer jobs?
Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Mojave account for the largest share of propulsion engineer openings in California. The Los Angeles Basin drives the bulk of demand because major aerospace and defense contractors maintain headquarters, manufacturing campuses, and test facilities there, while San Diego's naval research presence and the Bay Area's commercial space sector fill out the distribution across the state.
Are there remote propulsion engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Propulsion engineering is a hands-on discipline that routinely requires access to test stands, hardware labs, and classified facilities, so fully remote arrangements are uncommon. About 14% of propulsion engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and the roles most likely to allow remote work are those focused on modeling, simulation, and systems analysis rather than hardware development or test operations.
How can I get hired as a propulsion engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a formal new-graduate program at a major California aerospace employer. Aerojet Rocketdyne, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems each run structured early-career rotational or direct-placement programs that onboard engineers without professional experience. Candidates with internship hours from California universities such as Caltech, UCLA, or UC San Diego carry an advantage, as do those with a senior capstone or thesis project involving propulsion or combustion hardware. Entry roles in propulsion test operations, systems verification, or component analysis are also practical lateral moves for candidates coming from adjacent aerospace or mechanical engineering positions.
Where can I find and apply to propulsion engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to propulsion engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Search the listings, identify the roles that fit your background and target location, and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 96 Propulsion Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Propulsion Engineer Jobs