Senior Propulsion Engineer, Design (Combustion Devices)

True Anomaly; Laguna Beach (CA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision benefits

401K

Parental Leave

Job summary

True Anomaly is looking for a Senior Combustion Devices Design Engineer to own the complete combustion device lifecycle. You will lead design and optimization efforts for advanced satellite propulsion systems while leveraging regenerative cooling methods and additive manufacturing.

The ideal candidate has over 8 years of experience in liquid rocket engine development and must be a U.S. Citizen eligible for security clearance. The position offers a hybrid working environment near Denver.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in liquid rocket engine or thruster development.
• Experience designing injectors, combustion chambers, and nozzle extensions.
• Familiarity with acoustic combustion instability modes.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, analysis, and optimization of combustion device systems.
• Develop regenerative cooling designs for thrust chambers.
• Use CEA tools for combustion performance analysis.
• Champion additive manufacturing practices.

Skills

Combustion device design

Regenerative cooling design

CEA proficiency

Combustion instability expertise

Additive manufacturing

High-temperature alloys

CAD proficiency

Leadership skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

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.

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.

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.

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 experience in aerospace build, integration, and test environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams in a fast‑paced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• U.S. Citizen, eligible for DoD Secret or TS/SCI clearance.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (advanced degrees count toward years of experience).
• Experience designing, building, testing, and qualifying thruster or engine components through hot‑fire, cold‑flow, and leak/checkout campaigns.
• Direct team leadership and mentorship of junior propulsion engineers.
• Familiarity with the full vehicle lifecycle from concept through production.
• Track record of innovative problem‑solving in complex mechanical and thermodynamic design challenges.
• Experience in a startup or similarly resource‑constrained, high‑tempo environment.

Compensation

• Base Salary: $130,000 to $210,000
• Equity + Benefits: including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job‑related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.

Additional Requirements

• Work Location—Successful candidates will be located near Denver or Colorado Springs. While we observe a hybrid work environment, some work must be done on site.
• Work environment—the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
• Physical demands—the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us.