Head of Propulsion Engineering

Aleron; Leander (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Acara Solutions is seeking a Director of Propulsion Engineering in Leander, TX. Lead design, development, test, qualification, and operation of propulsion systems for launch vehicles and spacecraft.

Roadmap and tech vision across multiple engine and fluid programs. You will lead ~100 engineers, own hardware lifecycle from concept to flight, drive performance, reliability, and manufacturability, and collaborate across structures, avionics, software, manufacturing, and quality to deliver mission

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering.
• 5+ years leading engineering teams delivering complex hardware.
• 5+ years fluid systems sizing analysis.
• 5+ years owning hardware from concept through testing and operation.
• 5+ years driving performance, reliability, or design-for-manufacturability.
• 8+ years in design, development, and testing of aerospace propulsion and fluid systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead propulsion and fluid systems programs across launch vehicles and spacecraft.
• Develop technical vision and execution strategy for propulsion hardware.
• Manage a 100-engineer propulsion organization.
• Oversee lifecycle from requirements to qualification, flight, and ops.
• Support design reviews and flight readiness activities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (structures, avionics, software, manufacturing, quality, test).
• Drive performance, reliability, cost, and manufacturability through data-driven decisions.
• Establish engineering standards and compliance with aerospace requirements.
• Mentor and grow engineering talent.
• Oversee testing, qualification, and acceptance testing of propulsion components.

Skills

Leadership

Propulsion

Fluid systems sizing

Hardware ownership

Performance improvement

Communication skills

Team building

Education

Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering degree

Job description

Acara Solutions is seeking a Director of Propulsion Engineering in Leander, TX. Lead design, development, test, qualification, and operation of propulsion systems for launch vehicles and spacecraft.

Roadmap and tech vision across multiple engine and fluid programs. You will lead ~100 engineers, own hardware lifecycle from concept to flight, drive performance, reliability, and manufacturability, and collaborate across structures, avionics, software, manufacturing, and quality to deliver mission