Propulsion Engineering Lead

AscendArc is hiring a Propulsion Engineering Lead for a remote role open to applicants in United States. It pays $170k-$200k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on AscendArc.

Level's read on this job

Level rates this role Little AI ●○○○: aI is not part of the work.
The posting lists this role as remote.
AscendArc mentions visa sponsorship in this posting.
Tools and skills the posting cites include propulsion engineering, electric propulsion and spacecraft design.
Level lists 11 other open roles at AscendArc.

AI in this role

Propulsion Engineering Lead accountable for end-to-end electric propulsion architecture, testing, and in-orbit performance for GEO spacecraft.

propulsion-engineeringelectric-propulsionspacecraft-designsupplier-management

Come join us in shaping the future! Get in on the ground floor as an early member of our Bus & Electronics team as a Propulsion Engineering Lead developing a revolutionary satellite communications system. Connect the vision to the hardware, build it, test it and fly it. AscendArc is a startup founded to revolutionize the satellite communications industry. We are looking for doers who want to work in a ground-breaking and fast-paced environment. Our success will depend on your energy, skill, and creativity. Responsibilities As Propulsion Engineering Lead you are accountable for the end-to-end performance of the propulsion subsystem — from architecture through test to demonstrated in-orbit results. You will own the electric propulsion architecture for a full-EP GEO spacecraft, including the propellant feed system, thruster integration (Hall-effect class), and PPU integration, and you will drive propulsion supplier selection and the release of long-lead propulsion procurement. Beyond the design, you own the verification of that design: you will define the propulsion test requirements, specify the test system and ground support equipment needed to execute them, oversee test execution at supplier and system level, and own the analysis and acceptance of the test results. You will own the EOR/station-keeping delta-V strategy and the propulsion analyses that support it, and you will carry that ownership through to orbit — assessing in-orbit propulsion performance against predictions and closing the loop back to the models. You will work closely with Structures (propulsion mechanical), GNC, Power, Systems, and the AIT and mission operations teams. This is a named end-to-end performance role on the critical path to releasing procurement and closing the design. Qualifications

8+ years of spacecraft propulsion experience and B.S. or M.S. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering
Direct experience with electric propulsion (Hall-effect or gridded ion), xenon feed systems, and PPU integration
Demonstrated ownership of propulsion verification — defining test requirements, specifying test systems/GSE, and analyzing and accepting test results
Familiarity with EOR and station-keeping delta-V analysis for GEO missions, and with correlating in-orbit propulsion performance against predictions
Experience driving propulsion supplier selection and procurement of long-lead propulsion hardware
Working knowledge of pressure-vessel (COPV) and propulsion safety considerations

Base Salary The base salary range for this position is $170,000-200,000/year. When determining an individual’s compensation, we consider several factors including skillset, experience, job scope, and current market data, so pay for this role may vary from the amounts listed. Legal Eligibility to Work Due to U.S. export control regulations, this position is only open to “U.S. persons.” That means you must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or have refugee/asylee status. Unfortunately, we cannot consider applicants on temporary work visas (such as H-1B, TN, O-1, etc.) for this role. Equal Employment Opportunity AscendArc is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor or legally protected status.

How we rate this

Propulsion Engineering Lead at AscendArc rates 0 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Little AI (AI Level 1 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Little AI. AI is not part of the work.

●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
●○○○ Little AI0 to 39

Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.

Key facts

Propulsion Engineering Lead is an open job at AscendArc.
Level rates this role AI Level 1 of 4: Little AI.
The listed salary is $170k-$200k a year.
The role is based in Beaverton, United States and is marked remote.
The job was posted on July 15, 2026.
Seniority: lead.
Applications are handled by AscendArc. Apply on AscendArc

Prepare for this job

Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.

Skills and AI tools this role asks for

Propulsion EngineeringElectric PropulsionSpacecraft DesignSupplier Management

Questions you could be asked

Tell me about a project where propulsion engineering was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where electric propulsion was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where spacecraft design was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where supplier management was part of your work. What did you do?

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: Propulsion Engineering, Electric Propulsion, Spacecraft Design, and Supplier Management. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them. A tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.

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