Combustion Design Senior Engineer

POWERTECH; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 420,000 - 640,000; Full time

Job summary

POWERTECH is seeking a Senior Combustor Design Engineer to lead the design, development, analysis, and validation of combustor systems for advanced micro jet engines. This role focuses on translating performance requirements into robust combustor concepts, ensuring stable combustion, high thermal efficiency, low emissions, and long component life within compact engine architectures.

You will collaborate cross-functionally with performance, aerodynamics, mechanical design, materials, and testing

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Thermal related field.
• 8–10 years of progressive experience in gas turbine combustion or combustor design.
• Strong expertise in swirl, recirculation, fuel atomization, flame stabilization, liner cooling, dilution, and turbine temperature management.
• Experience across the full combustor design lifecycle from concept to testing.
• Ability to correlate CFD outputs with rig or engine test data and drive design improvements.

Responsibilities

• Define combustor design requirements from engine cycle data, thrust, emissions targets, and temperature constraints.
• Translate system requirements into combustor architecture (dome, primary zone, swirler, fuel, dilution, cooling).
• Perform preliminary sizing and concept development using first-principles and correlations.
• Develop combustor geometry through concept, preliminary, detailed, and verification phases.
• Analyse flow, mixing, ignition performance, flame stability, and exit temperature distribution.
• Conduct design sensitivity assessments to improve robustness and reduce risk.
• Review and develop combustor hardware including liner, dome, swirler, cooling features, igniters, and seals.
• Support CFD studies, rig testing, and engine testing to validate predictions.

Skills

Combustor design

CFD analysis

Thermal management

Gas turbine

Ignition

Education

Master's degree in Aerospace

Thermal Engineering

Tools

CFD software

Job description

Job Description:

External Job Description

Job Overview

The Senior Combustor Design Engineer is responsible for the design, development, analysis, and validation of combustor systems for advanced micro jet engines. The role focuses on translating engine performance requirements into robust combustor concepts that deliver stable combustion, high thermal efficiency, reliable ignition, low emissions, and long component life within highly constrained small-engine architectures. Due to the compact nature of microjet platforms, the role requires strong expertise in residence time management, flame stability, thermal loading, exit temperature pattern control, and manufacturability.

Key Responsibilities

• Define combustor design requirements based on engine cycle data, thrust requirements, allowable pressure loss, emissions targets, ignition envelope, and turbine inlet temperature constraints.
• Translate system-level requirements into combustor architecture, including dome and primary zone design, swirler configuration, fuel injection concept, dilution strategy, and cooling philosophy.
• Perform preliminary sizing and concept development using first-principles calculations, empirical correlations, and iterative trade-off studies.
• Develop and refine combustor geometry through concept, preliminary, detailed, and verification phases.
• Analyse flow field behaviour, mixing efficiency, ignition performance, flame stability, liner heat load, and combustor exit temperature distribution.
• Conduct design sensitivity assessments on geometry, airflow split, fuel scheduling, and manufacturing tolerances to improve robustness and reduce technical risk.
• Review and develop detailed combustor hardware including liner, dome, swirler, dilution holes, cooling features, igniter interfaces, and sealing arrangements.
• Support CFD studies, rig testing, and full engine testing to validate design assumptions and correlate predictions with measured data.
• Drive design iterations based on test findings, performance gaps, operability concerns, and durability outcomes.
• Work cross-functionally with performance, aerodynamics, mechanical design, materials, manufacturing, and test teams to ensure seamless engine integration.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 8-10 years of progressive experience in gas turbine combustion, combustor design, or propulsion system development.
• Strong technical expertise in combustor fundamentals including swirl, recirculation, fuel atomization, flame stabilization, liner cooling, dilution, and turbine temperature management.
• Demonstrated experience across the full combustor design lifecycle from concept development through verification and testing.
• Proven ability to correlate CFD and analytical outputs with rig or engine test data and implement design improvements.

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