Senior Propulsion Engineer, Design (Combustion Devices)

Akkodis; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401K plan

Commuter benefits

Job summary

A Senior Combustion Devices Design Engineer position with Akkodis' client focuses on injectors, regeneratively cooled thrust chambers, acoustic stability, and high-temperature materials for in-space propulsion systems. Onsite in Centennial, CO or Long Beach, CA, with pay ranges of 80/hr to 120/hr.

This contract-to-hire role emphasizes hands-on design and cross-functional collaboration. You will lead design efforts, apply regenerative cooling, run combustion analyses, and leverage additive

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering is required.
• 8+ years of professional experience in liquid rocket engine or thruster development.
• Hands-on combustion device design experience with injectors, chambers and regen cooling.
• CEA proficiency to predict propellant performance and nozzle trade studies.
• Experience with high-temperature alloys and propulsion hardware design.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, analysis, and optimization of combustion chambers, injectors, regen cooling circuits, nozzles and flow systems.
• Develop and validate regenerative cooling designs with thermal and structural analysis.
• Use CEA and other tools to predict performance and guide design decisions.
• Champion additive manufacturing to accelerate development and enable complex geometries.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to design release templates.

Skills

Leadership in multi-disciplinary teams

CAD proficiency

GD&T standards

Thermal and structural analysis

Additive manufacturing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Master's degree

Tools

NASA CEA

AM (SLM, DMLS)

CAD software

Job description

As a Senior Combustion Devices Design Engineer at our client, 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.

Onsite in Centennial, CO or Long Beach, CA

Pay: 80/hr - 120/hr

contract to hire

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.

Benefit offerings include medical, dental, vision, term life insurance, short-term disability insurance, additional voluntary benefits, commuter benefits and 401K plan. Our program provides employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. Available paid leave may include Paid Sick Leave, where required by law; any other paid leave required by Federal, State or local law; and Holiday pay upon meeting eligibility criteria. Disclaimer: These benefit offerings do not apply to client-recruited jobs and jobs which are direct hire to a client