Lead Propulsion Combustion Engineer

Delos; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Professional development

Job summary

Mach Industries is seeking a Combustion Engineer to lead research, design, and optimization of advanced combustion systems for air-breathing propulsion. You’ll work across experiments, CFD validation, and data analysis to improve efficiency, stability, and emissions, collaborating with engineering teams.

The role requires strong analytical skills, experience with combustion testing, and the ability to translate findings into practical engineering solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical, or related field.
• 4+ years of experience in combustion research or propulsion systems.
• Proficiency in combustion fundamentals, thermodynamics, and heat transfer.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize combustion systems for gas turbine engines and propulsion.
• Plan and analyze laboratory and engine-level combustion experiments.
• Investigate combustion dynamics and turbulent reacting flows.
• Perform thermal-fluid analyses to improve combustor performance and emissions.
• Develop test plans, instrumentation, and support combustion rig testing.
• Correlate experimental data with CFD simulations and analytical models.
• Support root cause investigations on combustor performance and durability.
• Prepare reports and technical presentations for reviews and customers.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to advance propulsion technology.

Skills

Combustion fundamentals

Fluid mechanics

Thermodynamics

Heat transfer

Gas turbine combustion

Experimental testing

Data analysis

MATLAB/Python

CFD software

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical/Aerospace/Chemical Eng

Advanced degree preferred (MS/PhD)

Tools

ANSYS Fluent

STAR-CCM+

OpenFOAM

PIV/laser diagnostics

Data acquisition systems

Job description

Mach Industries is seeking a Combustion Engineer to lead research, design, and optimization of advanced combustion systems for air-breathing propulsion. You’ll work across experiments, CFD validation, and data analysis to improve efficiency, stability, and emissions, collaborating with engineering teams.

The role requires strong analytical skills, experience with combustion testing, and the ability to translate findings into practical engineering solutions.