Director of Propulsion Systems & Advanced Technologies

Apex Systems; Leander (TX); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Apex Systems seeks a Director of Propulsion Engineering to set the technical vision and lead a ~100-person propulsion team across a full lifecycle of propulsion hardware. You will own propulsion systems, drive performance, reliability, and manufacturability, and collaborate with structures, avionics, software, and manufacturing.

Applicants should have 8+ years in propulsion design and 5+ years leading engineers, with deep knowledge of cryogenic and storable propellants and engine cycle

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering.
• 8+ years in propulsion design, development, and testing.
• 5+ years leading engineering teams delivering complex hardware programs.
• Strong foundation in propulsion system design, fluid dynamics, combustion, turbomachinery, thermodynamics, and thermal systems.
• Experience owning hardware from concept through testing, qualification, and operation.
• Hands-on in performance, reliability, or design-for-manufacturability initiatives.
• Deep understanding of cryogenic and storable propellant systems.
• Familiarity with fluid components like valves, regulators, and instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Set and own the technical vision, strategy, and execution of propulsion and fluid systems programs.
• Lead a multidisciplinary propulsion organization of ~100 engineers.
• Own propulsion hardware across the full lifecycle from requirements to operations.
• Collaborate with structures, avionics, software, manufacturing, integration and quality.
• Drive system performance, reliability, cost, and manufacturability through disciplined design.

Skills

Propulsion system design

Fluid dynamics

Combustion

Turbomachinery

Thermodynamics

Thermal systems

Cryogenic propellants

Storable propellants

Leadership

Design-for-manufacturability

Systems engineering

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering

Advanced degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Job description

Apex Systems seeks a Director of Propulsion Engineering to set the technical vision and lead a ~100-person propulsion team across a full lifecycle of propulsion hardware. You will own propulsion systems, drive performance, reliability, and manufacturability, and collaborate with structures, avionics, software, and manufacturing.

Applicants should have 8+ years in propulsion design and 5+ years leading engineers, with deep knowledge of cryogenic and storable propellants and engine cycle