Principal Combustion Engineer

Hycosys Private Limited; India; On-site; INR 4,500,000 - 6,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Hycosys Private Limited in Bengaluru, India, seeks a Principal Combustion Engineer to lead end-to-end combustor development for a next-generation Micro Gas Turbine program. This senior role owns combustor architecture, analyses, testing, and validation from concept through engine integration and maturation.

You will guide CFD modelling for performance and emissions, develop design tools, and supervise high-fidelity analyses.

Qualifications

• M.Tech or Ph.D in Aerospace, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline (combustion).
• 8+ years of industrial experience in gas turbine combustor development.
• Experience developing preliminary combustor design tools and sizing methodologies.
• Strong expertise in combustion modelling for performance and emissions.
• Hands-on experience with RANS, URANS, and LES.
• Experience with CFD tools: ANSYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+, and/or CONVERGE.
• Hands-on experience with combustion testing and data analysis.
• Ability to lead complex technical problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Own the combustor architecture and development roadmap for the MGT across all program phases.
• Develop and maintain preliminary combustor design tools and concept-level sizing methodologies.
• Lead combustion modelling for thermal performance, stability, and emissions (NOx, CO, UHC).
• Apply and guide steady and unsteady CFD methodologies (RANS, URANS, LES).
• Execute and review high-fidelity CFD analyses with appropriate model selection and validation.
• Lead combustion testing including rig definition, instrumentation, and data interpretation.
• Guide emissions reduction, flame stability margins, ignition performance, and fuel flexibility.
• Interface closely with systems, aerodynamics, mechanical, materials, and manufacturing teams.
• Mentor combustion engineers and review technical work.
• Support technical reviews, risk assessments, and program-level decisions.

Skills

Combustion modelling

RANS/URANS/LES

ANSYS Fluent

STAR-CCM+

Emissions reduction

Education

M.Tech or Ph.D in Aerospace, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering (combustion)

Tools

ANSYS Fluent

STAR-CCM+

CONVERGE

Job description

About Hycosys

Hycosys is a deep-tech engineering company developing advanced hydrogen-capable power and propulsion systems, with a core focus on Micro Gas Turbines (MGTs) and high-speed turbomachinery. We follow a strongly engineering-driven approach grounded in first-principles analysis, high-fidelity simulation, and disciplined experimental validation to mature technologies from early concepts to reliable, deployable hardware.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Principal Combustion Engineer to lead and oversee the end-to-end development of the combustor for an advanced Micro Gas Turbine (MGT) program. This is a senior technical leadership role with ownership of combustor architecture, analysis, testing, and validation from early concept through engine integration and maturation.

The role combines deep combustion fundamentals, advanced CFD, and hands-on experimental experience, with strong ownership of technical decisions, development risk, and engineering outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the combustor architecture and development roadmap for the MGT across all program phases
• Develop and maintain preliminary combustor design tools and concept-level sizing methodologies
• Lead combustion modelling for thermal performance, stability, and emissions (NOx, CO, UHC)
• Apply and guide steady and unsteady CFD methodologies (RANS, URANS, LES)
• Execute and review high-fidelity CFD analyses with appropriate model selection and validation
• Lead combustion testing including rig definition, instrumentation, and data interpretation
• Guide emissions reduction, flame stability margins, ignition performance, and fuel flexibility
• Interface closely with systems, aerodynamics, mechanical, materials, and manufacturing teams
• Mentor combustion engineers and review technical work
• Support technical reviews, risk assessments, and program-level decisions

Must-have Requirements

• M.Tech or Ph.D in Aerospace, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline (combustion)
• 8+ years of industrial experience in gas turbine combustor development
• Experience developing preliminary combustor design tools and sizing methodologies
• Strong expertise in combustion modelling for performance and emissions
• Hands-on experience with RANS, URANS, and LES
• Experience with ANSYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+, and/or CONVERGE
• Hands-on experience with combustion testing and data analysis
• Ability to lead complex technical problem-solving

Good to Have

• Experience with MGT or small gas turbine combustors
• Exposure to SAF, hydrogen, or fuel blends
• Knowledge of high-temperature materials and combustor manufacturing constraints
• Engine-level integration and testing exposure
• Publications, patents, or recognized technical contributions
• Program execution exposure (PMP / Lean Six Sigma a plus)

Compensation & Location

Competitive compensation aligned with experience and industry benchmarks.
Location: Crescent 4, Prestige Shantiniketan, Whitefield, Bengaluru, Karnataka.