Senior Propulsion Engineer, Design (Combustion Devices)

trueanomalyinc; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Flexible time off

Lunch provided

Job summary

True Anomaly seeks a Senior Combustion Devices Design Engineer to own the full lifecycle of propulsion hardware, from architecture trades through flight delivery. You will be the subject-matter expert on injectors, regen cooling, and high-temperature materials, applying advanced manufacturing methods and design tools.

You will design and develop the next generation of in-space propulsion systems, work with suppliers on hot-fire data, and mentor engineers to scale the team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 8+ years of professional experience in liquid rocket engine or thruster development.
• Hands-on combustion device design experience (injectors, chambers, regen nozzles).
• Regenerative cooling design and thermal margin analysis.
• Experience with CEA to predict propellant performance and nozzle expansion.
• Familiarity with acoustic instability modes and suppression features.
• Experience with high-temperature alloys (e.g., Inconel) and additive manufacturing.
• CAD proficiency and GD&T compliant drawings.

Responsibilities

• Lead combustion device design from concept to flight qualification.
• Develop regeneration cooling circuits and perform thermal/structural analyses.
• Use CEA and other tools to guide design and performance.
• Champion additive manufacturing for propulsion hardware.
• Collaborate with suppliers and partners on test data and improvements.
• Define thruster architecture and support build campaigns.
• Mentor junior engineers and develop analysis templates and checklists.
• Review CAD models and drawings to GD&T standards.

Skills

Mechanical design

Thermal analysis

Regenerative cooling

Additive manufacturing

CAD / GD&T

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

CAD software

NASA CEA

Job description

Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.

OUR MISSION

True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors - enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.

OUR VALUES

Be the offset. We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.

What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.

It's the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together.

BENEFITS & PERKS *

• Best-in-class healthcare: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, with HSA/HRA options
• Generous time off: Flexible Time Off (FTO) for exempt employees, accrued PTO of up to 25 days for non-exempt employees, plus 12 paid holidays; Parental Leave; Sick Leave
• Fuel for your day: Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks for in-office employees
• And more: 401(k) retirement plan, fitness reimbursement, and Dog Fridays
• Equity participation: Equity is included as part of our total compensation package, giving you an opportunity to share in the company's success.

*Do not apply to fixed term and temporary roles

YOUR MISSION

As a Senior Combustion Devices Design Engineer at True Anomaly, you will own the full lifecycle of combustion device development - from architecture trades through flight delivery. You will serve as the team's subject matter expert on injectors, regeneratively cooled thrust chambers, acoustic stability, and high-temperature materials, bringing hands‑on mastery of design tools and modern manufacturing methods including additive manufacturing. This is your opportunity to design and develop the next generation of in-space propulsion systems and directly shape the future of on-orbit capabilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead combustion device design: Own the design, analysis, and optimization of combustion chambers, injectors, regen cooling circuits, nozzles, and flow systems for advanced satellite and space vehicle thrusters - from concept through flight qualification.
• Apply regenerative cooling expertise: Develop and validate regenerative cooling designs for thrust chambers, supporting and/or performing thermal and structural analysis to ensure margin and reliability across the full operating envelope.
• Drive combustion performance and stability: Use CEA and other combustion analysis tools to predict performance and guide design decisions. Apply knowledge of combustion instability mechanisms to design and validate acoustic cavities and other passive suppression features.
• Leverage additive manufacturing: Champion the use of AM processes - including designs in Inconel and other high-temperature superalloys - to accelerate development cycles, reduce part count, and enable geometries not achievable through conventional manufacturing.
• Collaborate with suppliers and partners: Work closely with engine and thruster suppliers to interpret hot‑fire and cold‑flow test data and translate findings into future design improvements.
• Lead robust trade studies: Define thruster and engine architecture, select components, and support build campaigns from initial design through integration and test.
• Build team capability: Mentor junior engineers, develop best practices, analysis tools, checklists, and design release templates that scale with the team.
• Review and release hardware: Review CAD models and engineering drawings to GD&T standards, providing direct technical feedback and design guidance.
• Contribute to continuous improvement: Drive initiatives that enhance design efficiency, manufacturability, and system-level performance.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 8+ years of professional experience in liquid rocket engine or thruster development.
• Hands‑on combustion device design: Demonstrated experience designing injectors, combustion chambers, regen nozzles, valves, and nozzle extensions.
• Regenerative cooling design: Practical experience sizing and validating regen cooling circuits for thrust chambers, including thermal margin and pressure drop analysis.
• CEA proficiency: Demonstrated experience running NASA CEA (or equivalent) to predict propellant performance, O/F sensitivity, and nozzle expansion trade studies.
• Combustion instability expertise: Familiarity with acoustic combustion instability modes and experience designing acoustic cavities or other suppression features.
• High-temperature alloys: Experience designing and specifying hardware in Inconel, Haynes, or other high-temperature superalloys for propulsion applications.
• Additive manufacturing: Experience leveraging AM (SLM, DMLS, or equivalent) in the design and development of propulsion hardware.
• CAD proficiency with engineering drawing generation to GD&T standards.
• Operational