Senior Propulsion Engineer, Combustion

About the role

The role leads combustion device design for propulsion systems in aerospace applications. The position balances near-term government high-speed system development with long-term commercial supersonic transport objectives. You will work within a flat, generalist team that prioritizes engineering excellence and pragmatic execution.

Software engineers turn product ideas into working code. Engineers work in small teams, review each other's work, and ship in small batches. Most teams follow agile practices such as sprints and daily standups. Engineers also write tests, fix bugs, and improve performance. The field values clear communication as much as technical skill. Engineers spend part of every week on planning, code review, and debugging, not just writing new code. The ability to explain a technical decision in plain words separates strong engineers from the rest.

Key facts

What you'll do

Conceptual trade studies guide selection of novel combustor options while system-level impacts are evaluated. Detailed designs are produced with supporting structural, thermal, and fluid analysis to validate performance. Prototypes are assembled, complementary tooling is designed, and work instructions are established for production. Hardware tests are conducted, and measurement data are analyzed to verify requirements and performance metrics. Empirical trends inform rapid iteration at the component and integrated system level. Hardware failures are diagnosed efficiently, and corrective actions are defined and executed.

Requirements

Hands-on experience designing combustion devices for propulsion or comparable complex systems over 5+ years. Expertise in airbreathing combustors, igniters, and fuel system design and analysis is required. CAD solid body and surface modeling in Siemens NX, engineering drawings, and GD&T are used to communicate designs. Thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid behavior principles are applied in analysis. Prototype assembly and test stand experience guide verification activities. Data acquisition and instrumentation selection support stability and performance analysis in elevated temperature conditions. High-temperature materials, coatings, and joining methods relevant to combustion are selected and applied. Root-cause analysis of hardware failures drives corrective and preventive actions. Initiative for continuous improvement extends beyond assigned tasks to optimize processes and outcomes. Adaptability supports performance in a fast-paced environment. Detail orientation maintains a high standard of quality in all deliverables.

Practical notes

This role requires US domestic candidacy or appropriate work authorization. Onsite presence is expected five days per week to sustain collaboration and culture. Typical interview steps

Hiring for engineering roles usually starts with a recruiter screen, followed by one or two technical rounds. Candidates often solve a coding problem, discuss past projects, and answer system design questions. Some loops include a take-home task. Final rounds typically cover team fit and give candidates a chance to ask questions. Interviewers look for how you break down an unfamiliar problem, not just whether you reach the answer. Practicing a few problems aloud and reviewing your own past projects are the best preparation.

Career growth

Engineering careers usually progress from individual contributor to senior, staff, and principal levels. Some engineers move into management and lead teams of five to twenty people. Others stay on the technical track. Growth follows demonstrated impact, not tenure alone. A typical engineering ladder has clear levels with defined expectations for scope, quality, and mentorship. Moving up usually requires owning outcomes end to end rather than completing assigned tickets.

Questions to ask

Worth asking in any interview: how the team measures success, who the role works with daily, what the onboarding looks like, and what the company is trying to achieve this year. Asking what past hires did well is a strong final question. Keep the list short and pick the questions that matter most to you.