Senior Propulsion Design Engineer — Combustion & AM

Akkodis; Centennial (CO); Hybrid; USD 75,768 - 137,760; Full time

Job summary

Akkodis seeks a Senior Propulsion Engineer, Design (Combustion Devices) to own the full lifecycle of propulsion development for space systems. You will lead design from concept through flight qualification, focusing on injectors, regen cooling, acoustic stability, and high-temperature materials, with hands-on use of AM techniques.

This role requires advanced CEA knowledge, GD&T CAD proficiency, and collaboration with suppliers, with leadership of multidisciplinary teams in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 8+ years of experience in liquid rocket engine or thruster development.
• Hands-on combustion device design experience (injectors, chambers, regen cooling, valves).
• Regenerative cooling design experience with thermal margin and pressure drop analysis.
• CEA proficiency to predict propellant performance and nozzle expansion trade studies.
• Combustion instability expertise and acoustic cavity design experience.
• Experience with high-temperature alloys (Inconel, Haynes).
• Additive manufacturing experience for propulsion hardware.
• CAD drawing generation to GD&T standards.
• Operational aerospace build/integration/test experience.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead combustion device design from concept through flight qualification.
• Develop regenerative cooling circuits and validate thermal margins.
• Use CEA and other tools to predict performance and guide design decisions.
• Champion additive manufacturing to accelerate development cycles.
• Collaborate with suppliers to interpret test data and drive improvements.
• Define architectures and support builds from design through integration and test.
• Mentor junior propulsion engineers and develop design processes.
• Review CAD models and drawings to GD&T standards.
• Drive continuous improvement in manufacturability and system performance.

Skills

Liquid rocket engine design

Combustion device design

Regenerative cooling design

CEA proficiency

Combustion instability analysis

High-temperature alloys

Additive manufacturing

GD&T CAD drawing

Aerospace build/integration/test

Leadership/mentorship

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

NASA CEA

CAD software

AM processes (SLM/DMLS)

Job description

Akkodis seeks a Senior Propulsion Engineer, Design (Combustion Devices) to own the full lifecycle of propulsion development for space systems. You will lead design from concept through flight qualification, focusing on injectors, regen cooling, acoustic stability, and high-temperature materials, with hands-on use of AM techniques.

This role requires advanced CEA knowledge, GD&T CAD proficiency, and collaboration with suppliers, with leadership of multidisciplinary teams in a fast-paced