Senior Propulsion Engineer, Combustion

Department: Propulsion

Location: San Francisco

Compensation: $150K – $225K

Employment Type: FullTime

ABOUT US:

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.

WHO WE ARE:

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.

WHO YOU ARE:

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.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• 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

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

• 5+ years hands-on experience designing combustion devices for use in propulsion or similarly complex environments

• Expertise in design and analysis of airbreathing 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

PERKS & BENEFITS:

• 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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

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.