Senior Research Engineer - Combustion & Propulsion Technology

Senior Research Engineer – Combustion & Propulsion Team

Location:

US-CT-EAST, Hartford (RTRC K) – Onsite (Please confirm onsite requirements during the recruitment process).

U.S. citizenship required. Eligible candidates must obtain and maintain a U.S. government‑issued security clearance, specifically a DoD Secret clearance (existing clearance required upon day
1).

The Combustion and Propulsion Team at RTX Technology Research Center seeks a Senior Research Engineer with strong analytical skills and expertise in combustion and propulsion technology. The successful candidate will collaborate with an interdisciplinary research team covering pressure‑gain combustion, rotating detonation engines (RDE), advanced propulsion concepts, gas turbine combustion, high‑speed and multi‑physics reacting flows, spray technology, and experimental combustion diagnostics. You will focus on technical excellence, drive innovation, build customer relationships across RTX and external partners, and contribute to research proposals for RTX business units and government agencies.

• Master’s degree (M.S.) in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering field, with at least 3 years of post‑degree work experience for a Senior Research Engineer role.
• Proficient knowledge of pressure‑gain combustion, combustion science, fluid mechanics, and chemical kinetics as applied to advanced propulsion technologies.
• Experience in RDE and gas‑turbine combustor design, experimental combustion and diagnostics, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), high‑speed and/or reacting flows.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver challenging technical objectives through creative problem‑solving and innovative thinking.
• Experience applying analytical skills to the development of new technology.
• Record of technical contributions, including patents or publications.

• Ph.D. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or a related field, with graduate work on RDE and gas‑turbine combustor development or advanced engine architectures.
• Experimental testing experience with RDEs or other high‑pressure, high‑temperature combustion rigs, diagnostics, and data analysis (performance, emissions, acoustics, durability, etc.).
• Understanding of fundamental RDE physics and advanced combustor concepts.
• Design of fuel/air mixers for combustion devices (including RDE injectors, gas turbines, low/zero‑carbon combustors, rockets, scramjets) using CFD or other analytical methods.
• Experience with alternative fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia, and/or sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs).
• Knowledge of system‑level architecture exploration for propulsion systems, including combustion devices.

Salary range: $86,800 – $165,200 USD.

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays (subject to business unit and collective‑bargaining agreements). Additional short‑term and long‑term incentive compensation programs may be available depending on level and agreement.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action for qualified individuals with a disability and protected veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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