A vehicle propulsion system includes an engine configured to be selectively activated to provide torque to propel the vehicle and a starter module coupled to the engine and configured to start the engine from an inactive state. The starter module includes a brushless electric machine to generate an output torque to crank start the engine. The starter motor also includes a pinion gear coupled to the electric machine, where the pinion gear is actuatable to selectively engage a cranking input of the engine. A controller assembly is programmed to cause actuation of the pinion gear to engage the cranking input of the engine and transfer a cranking torque to activate the engine.