Senior Combustion Engineer

Mach Industries Inc.; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Mach Industries is seeking a Combustion Engineer to lead research, design, development, testing, and optimization of advanced combustion systems for gas turbine engines and propulsion applications. The role requires expertise in combustion science, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer and involves experimental investigations, data analysis, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree (Master's/PhD preferred) in a relevant engineering

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize combustion systems for gas turbine engines, propulsion systems, and advanced energy applications.
• Plan, execute, and analyze laboratory and engine-level combustion experiments to evaluate combustion efficiency, flame stability, emissions, ignition performance, and thermal characteristics.
• Investigate combustion dynamics, turbulent reacting flows, and combustion instability mechanisms using experimental and analytical techniques.
• Perform thermal-fluid analyses to improve combustor performance, fuel-air mixing, cooling effectiveness, and emissions reduction.
• Develop experimental test plans, define instrumentation requirements, and support combustion rig and engine testing activities.
• Analyze large experimental datasets using statistical methods and advanced signal processing techniques.
• Correlate experimental findings with CFD simulations and analytical models to improve design accuracy.
• Support root cause investigations involving combustion performance, operability, emissions, and hardware durability.
• Collaborate with design and systems engineering, manufacturing, test engineering, and program management teams to develop combustion hardware.
• Prepare engineering reports, technical presentations, design documentation, and test summaries for internal and customer reviews.
• Participate in design reviews and provide technical recommendations for combustor improvements and new technology development.
• Support qualification, verification, and validation activities for combustion components and systems.
• Stay current on emerging combustion technologies, sustainable fuels, emissions regulations, and propulsion advancements.

Skills

MATLAB

Python

Combustion fundamentals

CFD

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline

Master's or Ph.D. preferred with specialization in Combustion, Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Aerospace Propulsion, or Thermal Sciences

Tools

ANSYS Fluent

STAR-CCM+

OpenFOAM

Job description

About Mach Industries

Founded in 2022, Mach Industries is a rapidly growing defense technology company focused on developing next‑generation autonomous defense platforms. At the core of our mission is the commitment to delivering scalable, decentralized defense systems that enhance the strategic capabilities of the United States and its allies. With a workforce of approximately 350 employees, we operate with startup agility and ambition.

Our vision is to redefine the future of warfare through cutting‑edge manufacturing, innovation at speed, and unwavering focus on national security. We are dedicated to solving the next generation of warfare with lethal systems that deter kinetic conflict and protect global security.

The Role

The Combustion Engineer is responsible for the research, design, development, testing, and optimization of advanced combustion systems supporting air-breathing propulsion systems. This role applies expertise in combustion science, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer to evaluate combustion performance, improve efficiency, and enhance system reliability. The engineer collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to conduct experimental investigations, analyze complex thermal-fluid phenomena, validate combustion hardware, and support the development of next‑generation propulsion technologies. Success in this role requires strong analytical skills, experience with experimental testing and data analysis, and the ability to translate research findings into practical engineering solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize combustion systems for gas turbine engines, propulsion systems, and advanced energy applications.
• Plan, execute, and analyze laboratory and engine-level combustion experiments to evaluate combustion efficiency, flame stability, emissions, ignition performance, and thermal characteristics.
• Investigate combustion dynamics, turbulent reacting flows, and combustion instability mechanisms using experimental and analytical techniques.
• Perform thermal-fluid analyses to improve combustor performance, fuel-air mixing, cooling effectiveness, and emissions reduction.
• Develop experimental test plans, define instrumentation requirements, and support combustion rig and engine testing activities.
• Analyze large experimental datasets using statistical methods and advanced signal processing techniques.
• Correlate experimental findings with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and analytical models to improve design accuracy.
• Support root cause investigations involving combustion performance, operability, emissions, and hardware durability.
• Collaborate with design engineering, systems engineering, manufacturing, test engineering, and program management teams to develop combustion hardware.
• Prepare engineering reports, technical presentations, design documentation, and test summaries for internal and customer reviews.
• Participate in design reviews and provide technical recommendations for combustor improvements and new technology development.
• Support qualification, verification, and validation activities for combustion components and systems. Support operability modeling and verification testing.
• Stay current on emerging combustion technologies, sustainable fuels, emissions regulations, and propulsion advancements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Master's or Ph.D. preferred with specialization in Combustion, Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Aerospace Propulsion, or Thermal Sciences.
• 4+ years of experience in combustion research, propulsion systems, thermal-fluid sciences, or related engineering disciplines.
• Strong understanding of, Combustion fundamentals, Fluid mechanics, Thermodynamics, Heat transfer, Turbulent reacting flows, Gas turbine combustion
• Experience designing and conducting combustion experiments.
• Experience analyzing experimental combustion data and interpreting test results.
• Proficiency with MATLAB, Python, or similar engineering analysis tools.
• Experience with laboratory instrumentation, pressure measurements, temperature measurements, and high-speed data acquisition systems.
• Experience using ANSYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM, or other CFD software. Ability to correlate computational CAE predictions with experimental data.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting aerospace propulsion or gas turbine engine development.
• Knowledge of combustion instability, flame dynamics, and combustion acoustics.
• Experience with advanced data analysis methods such as Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD), Spectral POD (SPOD), Fourier analysis, or modal decomposition techniques.
• Experience with optical combustion diagnostics, particle image velocimetry (PIV), laser diagnostics, or flow visualization.
• Experience with combustion rig testing or engine validation programs.
• Knowledge of aerospace industry standards and product development processes.
• Familiarity with statistical analysis, Design of Experiments (DOE), and uncertainty analysis.

Disclosures

This position may require access to information protected under U.S. export control laws and regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Please note that any offer for employment may be conditioned on authorization to receive software or technology controlled under these U.S. export control laws and regulations without sponsorship for an export license.

Mach participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offers may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and training, critical skills, and business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in most offers and are considered part of Mach’s total compensation package. Mach offers benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and opportunities for professional development.

Mach is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. If you'd like to defend the American way of life, please reach out!