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Propulsion engineer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted experts

Charles Jenckes,

Saeed Khan

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical propulsion engineer skills. We ranked the top skills for propulsion engineers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 15.4% of propulsion engineer resumes contained propulsion system as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a propulsion engineer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 propulsion engineer skills for your resume and career

1. Propulsion System

Here's how propulsion engineers use propulsion system:

Developed computer models of an advanced propulsion system in an effort to model its physical characteristic and optimize the overall configuration.
Consult with industry experts/propulsion houses on new materials/processes, aging/shelf life issues, verification and validation of propulsion systems.

2. CAD

Here's how propulsion engineers use cad:

Design engineer and CAD system consultant on various aircraft programs including 737, 767 and 7J7.
Used CAD modeling, analysis and simulation to calculate performance, environmental effects and system safety.

3. MATLAB

Here's how propulsion engineers use matlab:

Completed analysis report of Bipropellant NASA Pencil Thruster test data using MATLAB.
Expedited and simplified the quotation process for solar water heating systems by accurately representing solar water heating system performance through MATLAB models

4. Test Data

Here's how propulsion engineers use test data:

Review flight test data, validate test results and investigate and troubleshoot any flight squawks or issues.
Generated program test plans, test requests, data analysis results, and post-test data packages.

5. NASA

Here's how propulsion engineers use nasa:

Audited technical documentation related to launch window and trajectory design to meet NASA contract specifications for safety mission requirement constraints.
Performed design reviews, operations procedural reviews, and failure mode investigations of concept NASA launch vehicles/propulsion systems.

6. CFD

CFD is the study and analysis of liquid flows by the use of numbers solution methods. The various fields involved include hydrodynamics and aerodynamics.

Here's how propulsion engineers use cfd:

Pioneered the use of CFD on a variety of parts of the propulsive systems using 2 and 3D CFD codes.
Analyzed the Delta IV LO2 tank FLSS sensor using the Fluent CFD analysis software.

7. CATIA

Here's how propulsion engineers use catia:

Designed and detailed mechanical parts assemblies using Catia V5BOEING, Everett, WA.
Research and Development for pre-design of composite hypersonic leading edge using Catia, ABAQUS and NASTRAN/PATRAN.

8. FAA

FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) is an aviation regulatory body in the USA.

Here's how propulsion engineers use faa:

Prepared detail certification documentation for the FAA.
Prepared documentation for FAA Certification.

9. Design Reviews

A dеѕіgn review іѕ a mіlеѕtоnе wіthіn a рrоduсt dеvеlорmеnt рrосеѕѕ іn whісh a design іѕ evaluated bаѕеd on іtѕ rеԛuіrеmеntѕ. Thе рurроѕе of dеѕіgn rеvіеwѕ іѕ tо examine thе overall design or a ѕресіfіс аѕресt оf a dеѕіgn аt еасh ѕtаgе of the development оf a nеw оr еxіѕtіng рrоduсt.

Here's how propulsion engineers use design reviews:

Participate in design reviews for new components/Processes.
Participated in Preliminary and Critical Design Reviews (PDR and CDR).

10. Missile

Here's how propulsion engineers use missile:

Provided subsystem product concept evaluations and assembly design suggestions to support new product development for missile subsystems energy management.
Performed research of missile concepts using advanced propellants.

11. FEA

The Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is software that can simulate physical phenomenon with the help of numerical procedures. FEA helps companies in developing better and cost-effective products by reducing the number of physical prototypes.

Here's how propulsion engineers use fea:

Conduct FEA of designed components.
Delivered certification reports based on simulation data and FEA analysis.

12. Analysis Tools

Analysis tools primarily help an aerodynamics engineer ensure facilities and equipment function efficiently and safely according to industry standards and safety regulations. An aerodynamics engineer is skilled at utilizing analysis tools to conduct research and analyses, test the design and structure of products, check the pressure and gauge levels of machines, and identify the strengths and weaknesses of different areas, developing strategies to improve the equipment.

Here's how propulsion engineers use analysis tools:

Analyze and review data to ensure that hardware is operating as expected utilizing numerical data analysis tools to interpret test results.
Implemented a repository and configuration control strategy for analysis tools and results.

13. Test Procedures

Test procedure i defined as a tool for conducting an experiment to analyze or observe the specifications of a process or application.

Here's how propulsion engineers use test procedures:

Define and maintain all technical specifications, statements of work, schematics, test procedures, and verification and validation plans.
Developed technical test procedures and reports Developed data trending for product and determine if data is acceptable.

14. Launch Vehicle

Here's how propulsion engineers use launch vehicle:

Developed hybrid motor sizing tools used in performing hybrid based booster-to-launch vehicle synthesis and in launch vehicle optimization studies.
Supported launch vehicle integration activities in French Guyana and launch operations at the INTELSAT operations center.

15. Control Systems

Here's how propulsion engineers use control systems:

Helped elevate safety and quality specs, improve aerodynamics, and equip navigation and control systems with cutting-edge advancements.
Transitioned BA609 controls to this approach, introducing a major time savings for turning around modifications to control systems.

What skills help Propulsion Engineers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on propulsion engineer resumes?

Charles Jenckes

Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

For new graduates
1.Where the candidate went to school and what was studied
2.GPA
3.Any successful internships
4.Projects completed by the student

What propulsion engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Saeed Khan

Professor of Engineering Technology, Website

Keeping up with the latest technology in materials, control systems, airframes, and communication systems as it relates to their responsibility is essential alongside development of people skills and communication facilities that help them market their ideas to their team.

What hard/technical skills are most important for propulsion engineers?

Mike DeVore Ph.D.

Professor & Program Chair, Cincinnati State Technical & Community College

-Computer-Aided Design

-Knowledge of manufacturing processes

-A good mathematics foundation

-Technical communication

-Problem solving

Do you want to know more?

List of propulsion engineer skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a propulsion engineer resume and required skills for a propulsion engineer to have include:

Propulsion System
CAD
MATLAB
Test Data
NASA
CFD
CATIA
FAA
Design Reviews
Missile
FEA
Analysis Tools
Test Procedures
Launch Vehicle

Control Systems
Fuel Systems
IPT
Technical Support
Technical Issues
Configuration Management
Engineering Drawings
Failure Analysis
MRB
Thermal Analysis
Fortran
Flight Test
Flight Hardware
LabVIEW

APU
Transducers
Solidworks
Engineering Support
Hydraulic Systems
R
Aircraft Models
Engine Performance Data
Failure Modes
Flight Data
Engine Components
Gas Turbine Engines

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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