Senior Combustion Devices Engineer

Location

San Francisco

Full time

Propulsion

• $150K – $225K

Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company building a faster, more connected future. Our mission is to democratize high-speed flight by making supersonic travel flexible, accessible, and sustainable. We believe that rapid, on‑demand, point‑to‑point global mobility will become the new standard for moving people and goods across the planet. To achieve this, we are integrating our advanced airframe and engine technologies—which include Duality™, our proprietary dual‑use propulsion system—with a new flight operations model to make supersonic transport as efficient and economical as commercial air travel is today.

In the near term, we are developing adaptable, high‑speed systems to close aircraft performance gaps for the United States government.

We’re a team of passionate engineers dedicated to advancing aerospace. We’re generalists with specialist depth, united by a flat structure and a shared obsession with building things that work well. We move fast, stay pragmatic, and let engineering excellence speak louder than hierarchy.

You are a Senior Propulsion Engineer experienced in designing the combustion devices within propulsion systems. You come from a background working in ground power, aviation, automotive, or rocketry. You approach your work from a robust set of first principles which enable you to work methodically through challenging technical problems with feedback from test verification.

• Lead conceptual trades for novel combustors while considering system-level impacts
• Complete detailed designs with supporting structural, thermal, and fluid analyses
• Implement advanced materials and manufacturing techniques to achieve performance and reliability at scale
• Assemble prototypes firsthand, design complementary tooling, and establish work instructions
• Conduct hardware test and analyze data to verify requirements and performance metrics
• Understand empirical trends and iterate quickly through component-level and integrated testing
• Diagnose hardware problems efficiently and determine corrective actions

• 5+ years hands‑on experience designing combustion devices for use in propulsion or similarly complex environments
• Expertise in design and analysis of air breathing combustors, igniters, and fuel systems
• Proficient in CAD solid body and surface modeling (Siemens NX), engineering drawings, and GD&T
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid behavior
• Hands‑on prototype assembly and test stand experience
• Experience with data acquisition and instrumentation selection for analyzing stability and performance in elevated temperate environments
• Understanding and familiarity with high‑temperature materials, coatings, and joining methods relevant to combustion
• Experience with root‑cause analysis of hardware failures
• Takes initiative for continuous improvement (not just completing assigned tasks)
• Flexibility to work in fast‑paced environment
• Attentive to detail and maintain a high level of quality in all work

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) program and transparent stock option plan
• Self‑managed and flexible time‑off policy, including PTO, paid holidays, and sick time
• Flexible work environment

At Astro Mechanica, we highly value in‑office work to foster collaboration and strengthen our company culture. We consider working in the office five days a week an essential part of the employee's role.

Astro Mechanica is an equal opportunity employer. We proudly recruit and hire a diverse workforce and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Compensation Range: $150K – $225K