True Anomaly

Senior Propulsion Engineer, Design (Combustion Devices)

Denver, CO or Long Beach, CA · Senior

No sponsorship$130k-$210kDetected 37 days ago

TypeScriptStructural AnalysisGD&TAerospace EngineeringCommunication

About the role

This position will be open until it is su

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.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
8+ years of professional experience in liquid rocket engine or thruster development.
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.
CAD proficiency with engineering drawing generation to GD&T standards.
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.
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.
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.

Skills

Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (advanced degrees count toward years of experience).
Familiarity with the full vehicle lifecycle from concept through production.
Experience in a startup or similarly resource-constrained, high-tempo environment.

Compensation

Base Salary: $130,000 to $210,000
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.
Work Location -Successful candidates will be located near Denver or Long Beach. While we observe a hybrid work environment, some work must be done on site.
Work environment -the work environment
This position will be open until it is su

Benefits

Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave

Company info

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.
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.
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.

Visa & Work Authorization

Citizen, eligible for DoD Secret or TS/SCI clearance

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This listing is sourced directly from True Anomaly's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.