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Propulsion systems engineer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted experts

Charles Jenckes,

Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical propulsion systems engineer skills. We ranked the top skills for propulsion systems engineers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 33.5% of propulsion systems engineer resumes contained matlab as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a propulsion systems engineer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 propulsion systems engineer skills for your resume and career

1. MATLAB

Here's how propulsion systems engineers use matlab:

Developed component fatigue analysis program in MATLAB Delivered superior performance in assisting the Military C-130 Propeller Control Modification
Expedited and simplified the quotation process for solar water heating systems by accurately representing solar water heating system performance through MATLAB models

2. Engine Performance

Here's how propulsion systems engineers use engine performance:

Performed analyses and authored the Engine Performance Interface Document for propulsion and supplier reference.
Coordinated with the engine supplier to resolve engine deck issues and improve engine performance.

3. DOD

Definition of Done (DoD) is a set of deliverables that are needed to devise software. These deliverables are valuable to the system and can be exemplified by writing code, coding comments, unit testing, integration testing, design documents, release notes, and so on.

Here's how propulsion systems engineers use dod:

Served as Information Systems Security Officer for closed area lab network comprised of several DOD classified information systems.
Engage in customer teleconference to verify user and mail accounts matched appropriate DoD Identification numbers prior to migration.

4. Technical Support

Technical support or tech support are the services provided by any hardware or software company to users. They help in solving the technical difficulties the customers face with their products or services. Moreover, the tech support employees maintain, manage, and repair the IT faults. They are also responsible for resolving the network problems, installing and configuring hardware and software.

Here's how propulsion systems engineers use technical support:

Provided technical support on liquid propulsion systems of major space launch vehicle programs to the Air Force Space Division.
Provided technical support for F100 engine altitude testing.

5. NASA

Here's how propulsion systems engineers use nasa:

Applied NASA System Engineering practices to develop algorithms for incorporation into the M&FM SysML Model.
Monitor and track operational parameters of propulsion systems during integrated operations at launch to ensure compliance with NASA launch criteria.

6. FAA

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

Here's how propulsion systems engineers use faa:

Coordinate results of safety analysis with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Develop Instructions for Airworthiness (ICAWs) and submit to the FAA for approval.

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7. CAD

Here's how propulsion systems engineers use cad:

Gained proficiency in CAD, design control, Chemical compatibility, Geometric dimensions and tolerance, Statistical analysis.
Developed product, managed CAD system operations and resources, and evaluated and justified communications network expansions

8. Risk Assessments

The process of analyzing and identifying the acts or events that have the potential to negatively affect an individual, asset, or business is called risk assessment. Risk assessments are important because they form an integral part of an organization as well as occupational safety plans

Here's how propulsion systems engineers use risk assessments:

Execute risk assessments using safety process and tools to define hazard levels for events.
Perform FMEA and Fault Tree analyses for safety and risk assessments.

9. Engineering Design

Engineering design is defined as the method that engineers use to recognize and solve problems. It is an extensive and flexible approach to problem-solving and provides the necessary information needed regarding every step of the process. An engineering design is a collaborative effort of the team to identify problems underlying a process and find out ways to solve them.

Here's how propulsion systems engineers use engineering design:

Developed engineering design standards handbook.
Determine rapid mechanical engineering design decisions during prototype and Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Programs.

10. Fire Protection

Here's how propulsion systems engineers use fire protection:

Co-authored certification plans and design specifications for Wing and Engine Cowl Anti-ice, Reverse Thrust, and Fire Protection systems.
Developed test report for engine fire protection requirements.

11. Trade Studies

Here's how propulsion systems engineers use trade studies:

Evaluated advanced space vehicle configurations and trade studies in support of MSFC Advanced Concepts Office.
Analyzed performance of practical hypersonic missile concepts and performed trade studies to support department planning and budgeting.

12. Engineering Problems

Here's how propulsion systems engineers use engineering problems:

Worked as a member of team and assists with solving complex engineering problems.

13. Control Systems

Here's how propulsion systems engineers use control systems:

Helped elevate safety and quality specs, improve aerodynamics, and equip navigation and control systems with cutting-edge advancements.
Reviewed US Navy aircraft engine specifications and control systems requirements.

14. Mechanical Systems

Here's how propulsion systems engineers use mechanical systems:

Worked as an electrical and mechanical systems engineer in a quality assurance engineering team that supported the CSX Transportation Locomotive Fleet.
Provided owner reviews for mechanical systems and component designs from design agency for technical adequacy and compliance with facility license.

15. Flight Hardware

Here's how propulsion systems engineers use flight hardware:

Identified ways to improve flight hardware installation for the MPS system.
Conducted Space Shuttle flight hardware testing and verification.

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What skills help Propulsion Systems 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 systems 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 soft skills should all propulsion systems engineers possess?

Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer

Professor and Chair, Xavier University

Communication, teamwork.

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

Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer

Professor and Chair, Xavier University

Depends on the engineering career, but in general, an ability to know how to use design software, measurement/testing, and analysis equipment, in addition to prototyping and fabrication tools

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

Dr. Galen Duree

Head of the Department of Physics and Optical Engineering and Professor, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

It again depends on what the graduate sees as their next step - graduate school or a job with a company or lab. If the next step is graduate school, the graduate should investigate what they are interested in pursuing and then where the best school is to get the experience that the graduate thinks he or she wants.

General reading about technologies or reading available articles about subjects the graduate is interested in will help generate questions they can ask potential graduate schools. This time would also be a chance to improve areas where the graduate may feel weak while an undergraduate. Many online resources can help them brush up on week background topics. Do not worry about transfer credits because that is usually not helpful in graduate school, but improve knowledge and experience in areas where the graduate feels weak. If the graduate has identified a graduate school and program to study in, the graduate school might have some recommendations about what to review. All of this will help improve success in graduate school.

If the next step is a job with a company or lab, taking courses to improve communication will help. Many technically competent or even technically brilliant people struggle with effective communication. Techniques about writing reports, making oral presentations, or communicating technical information will help improve success. The gap year also provides time to investigate technologies that the graduate wants to be involved in and the companies or labs in those areas.

Once the graduate has identified areas of interest and companies or labs that the graduate might want to work for, they can be contacted to either answer questions or point the graduate in a direction for further investigation.

In either case, a gap year can provide a chance to refine the graduate's choice for the next steps and help them prepare other skills overlooked during the undergraduate years.

What type of skills will young propulsion systems engineers need?

John Ring

Director Engineering Outreach, Elon University

While our universities consistently educate engineering students with hard skills and strong engineering fundamentals, tomorrow's engineers need to be strong communicators, collaborators, and critical thinkers. Our professional environments are filled with data and information, and the constraint is typically how much time individuals can dedicate to solving a problem. At Elon University, we educate tomorrow's engineers to have the hard skills necessary to analyze the information and situations, apply critical thinking techniques to determine ways to solve the issue, and then concisely and efficiently communicate with colleagues as solutions are being set in motion.

Do you want to know more?

List of propulsion systems engineer skills to add to your resume

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

MATLAB
Engine Performance
DOD
Technical Support
NASA
FAA

CAD
Risk Assessments
Engineering Design
Fire Protection
Trade Studies
Engineering Problems

Control Systems
Mechanical Systems
Flight Hardware
Launch Vehicle

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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