Director, Propulsion Engineering

Job Title:

Director, Propulsion Engineering

Location:

Leander, TX

Employment Type:

Direct Hire.

Industry: Aerospace & Defense

Compensation: $180k- $210k /year.

Schedule:

40 hrs/Week.

• The Propulsion Director provides technical and organizational leadership for the design, development, test, qualification, and operation of propulsion systems across client launch vehicles and spacecraft.
• This role is accountable for multiple engine and fluid system programs spanning early architecture trades through flight operations.

• Supportive, team-driven culture that values collaboration, transparency, and accountability.
• Opportunity to grow your career with a global workforce solutions leader serving multiple industries.
• People-first environment that encourages employees to bring their authentic selves to work.
• Strong focus on partnership, innovation, and delivering meaningful results for clients and candidates.

This role offers the opportunity to join a company that prioritizes both people and performance-where your contributions directly impact client success while providing you with room to grow and develop professionally.

Acara is a premier recruiting and workforce solutions provider- we help companies compete for talent. With experience across industries worldwide, we partner with clients, listen to their needs, and design talent solutions that deliver the business outcomes they want. We draw on decades of experience to provide contingent staffing, direct placement, executive search, and workforce services worldwide.

• As a vertically integrated company with co-located design, fabrication, and test facilities, the client expects the Propulsion Director to be deeply engaged in hardware development while setting a clear technical vision and execution strategy.
• The successful candidate balances hands-on technical depth with people leadership, thrives in a fast-paced development environment, and drives a culture of rigorous testing, ownership, and continuous improvement.
• The scope of the propulsion engineering department spans launch vehicle engines, spacecraft propulsion, vehicle fluid systems, valve design, and propulsion analysis teams.
• Set and own the technical vision, strategy, and execution of all propulsion and fluid systems programs across launch vehicles and spacecraft.
• Lead, develop, and grow a multidisciplinary propulsion organization of ~100 engineers, fostering technical excellence, accountability, and professional growth.
• Maintain ownership of propulsion hardware and systems across the full lifecycle, from requirements definition and architecture trades through qualification, flight, and operations.
• Serve as a senior technical authority for propulsion and fluid systems, supporting major design reviews, test readiness reviews, anomaly resolution, and flight readiness activities.
• Collaborate closely with discipline chief engineers, vehicle chief engineers, and cross-functional teams including structures, avionics, software, manufacturing, integration, quality, and test.
• Drive propulsion system performance, reliability, cost, and manufacturability through disciplined design practices and data-driven decision-making.
• Ensure robust risk identification, mitigation, and closure through analysis, testing, and operational feedback.
• Oversee development, qualification, and acceptance testing of propulsion components, subsystems, and engines, with an emphasis on learning-oriented testing.
• Contribute directly to new engine and propulsion technology development, providing technical insight and guidance where needed.
• Establish and uphold engineering standards, best practices, and compliance with applicable…