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Combustion Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Vast

Combustion Devices Engineer II

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$110K - $155K/yr

Vast is looking for a Combustion Devices Engineer II , reporting to the Senior Manager of E-2 Engineering , to create the world's highest performing engine for small launchers, while optimizing for ...

Fives

Combustion Sales Engineer

Cleveland, OH · On-site

Fives North American Combustion, Inc. is hiring a permanent, full-time Combustion Sales Engineer to join our team in Cleveland, OH. Fives North American Combustion (HQ: Cleveland) is a dynamic ...

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Combustion Engineer information

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$88.2K

$131K

How much do combustion engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for combustion engineer in the United States is $88,214.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,500.00 and $90,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Is a Combustion Engineer?

A combustion engineer is skilled in the process of harnessing the energy created by heating up fuel. Job duties include installing combustion systems and testing the equipment once it is operational. A combustion engineer may also have to troubleshoot issues with equipment that is not working correctly. This technology can be found in many heating systems, including in a building or a car. Qualifications for this career include a bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechanical or chemical engineering.

What does a Combustion Engineer do?

A Combustion Engineer specializes in the design, operation, and optimization of systems that burn fuel to produce energy, such as boilers, furnaces, and engines. They analyze combustion processes to improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and ensure safety. Their work often involves troubleshooting equipment, developing new combustion technologies, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Combustion Engineers play a critical role in industries like power generation, manufacturing, aerospace, and automotive engineering.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Combustion Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Combustion Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical or chemical engineering, with expertise in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and combustion principles, usually supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with simulation software (such as ANSYS Fluent or CHEMKIN), emissions testing equipment, and relevant industry certifications are typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork set exceptional professionals apart in this field. These competencies are vital to ensure safe, efficient, and environmentally compliant combustion system design and operation.

What is the difference between Combustion Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectCombustion EngineerMechanical Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, certifications in combustion or thermodynamicsEngineering degree, mechanical or related certifications
Work EnvironmentPower plants, industrial facilities, research labsManufacturing, design firms, maintenance facilities
Industry UsageEnergy, power generation, petrochemicalManufacturing, automotive, aerospace

Combustion Engineers focus on designing and optimizing combustion processes, often working in energy and industrial sectors. Mechanical Engineers have a broader scope, working on machinery, systems, and product design across various industries. While both roles require engineering degrees, combustion engineers specialize in combustion systems, whereas mechanical engineers work on mechanical components and systems.

What are some common challenges Combustion Engineers face when optimizing industrial combustion systems?

Combustion Engineers often encounter challenges related to balancing efficiency, emissions control, and system safety when optimizing industrial combustion systems. Addressing varying fuel qualities, maintaining equipment reliability, and complying with strict environmental regulations can be demanding. Effective collaboration with process engineers, maintenance teams, and environmental specialists is essential to troubleshoot issues and implement improvements. Staying updated with advancements in combustion technology and control systems also helps in overcoming these challenges and ensuring optimal plant performance.
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Combustion Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Combustion Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, 4% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,214 per year, or $42.4 per hour.
Sr. Combustion Engineer (Syngas Oxyfuel)

Sr. Combustion Engineer (Syngas Oxyfuel)

Arbor Energy

El Segundo, CA

$150K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

About Us

At Arbor Energy & Resources Corporation ("Arbor Energy"), we're creating technology to power our lives while protecting the planet that sustains them. Our advanced power systems deliver clean, reliable baseload electricity with zero operating emissions—modular, fuel-flexible, and engineered for the realities of today's energy demand. At the core is a supercritical CO₂ turbine with integrated carbon capture, designed to bring carbon-neutral power online quickly at meaningful scale.

Our team includes aerospace engineers, combustion experts, and systems thinkers with a shared goal: to build technology worthy of the world we want to live in. While many of us began our journeys looking to the stars, we're applying that expertise here at home to deliver dependable, emission-free baseload power and a future of lasting abundance.

If you share our values and are drawn to rigorous work with lasting impact, we'd love to learn more about you. Come build what the future will run on.

Steward our planet: We build for tomorrow, ensuring every bolt we tighten and every hand we lend leaves our environment stronger than we found it.

Lead with Love: We champion the success of our people, partners, and planet, nurturing excellence through camaraderie and rigor.

Explore the Uncharted: We embrace the unknown with curiosity, using courage and discipline to transform uncertainty into opportunity.

Role Overview

The Sr. Combustion Engineer (Syngas Oxyfuel) helps pioneer our rocket-derived, high-pressure combustion systems for carbon-negative power cycles, burning our biomass-produced syngas in a high efficiency combustor. In this role, you'll take syngas oxy-combustion from lab-scale characterization to implementation running off of gasifier syngas within a year and carry what you learn into the development of fuel-flexible combustors at the heart of our commercial product. You will partner closely with test engineers, analysts, and designers to push boundaries—delivering breakthrough performance that powers a sustainable future.

From conceptual design and modeling to hands-on testing and rapid iteration, you'll own the full hardware lifecycle.

This is an onsite opportunity in our El Segundo, CA office.
Responsibilities
  • Develop the kinetics that the envelope demands: reduced Hâ‚‚/CO/COâ‚‚ mechanisms, flame-speed, autoignition and blowout limits across composition; anchor models to hot-fire data
  • Plan, execute, and analyze high-pressure and temperature test campaigns, delivering actionable insights to accelerate progress
  • Own rapid hardware development cycles—from manufacturing and assembly through testing and iterative improvements
  • Leverage additive manufacturing and state-of-the-art simulation tools to accelerate innovation and reduce development timelines
Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical engineering, or related field
  • 5+ years of experience in combustion system design, analysis, and testing
  • Strong understanding of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer
  • Comfort in high-pressure / real-fluid combustion (supercritical reactants, COâ‚‚ dilution) and/or a demonstrated track record of ramping into an unfamiliar regime fast
  • Curious, inventive, and entrepreneurial mindset comfortable driving progress
Preferred Qualifications
  • Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Mechanical, Aerospace or Chemical engineering
  • Hands-on experience with hot-fire testing and high-pressure systems in rocket or gas turbine environments
  • Programming or scripting skills for data reduction and automation (Python, MATLAB, etc.)
  • Background in startup environments or agile hardware development cycles
Benefits & Compensation
  • Pre-IPO stock options
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance (Arbor covers 90% for employees)
  • Basic life insurance fully covered
  • Health savings account (HSA) with matching
  • Flexible savings account (FSA)
  • Unlimited PTO 
  • 12+ company holidays, including Earth Day! 
  • 401(k)
  • Commuter benefits
  • Annual learning and development stipend
  • And more!
Base Pay: $150,000 - $175,000 USD/year. The salary is subject to the applicant's skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location.
Our Commitment

Arbor Energy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Solving global energy challenges requires a wide range of perspectives and experiences, and we are committed to building a team that reflects the world we serve.

Our hiring process is designed to be accessible, fair, and focused on the work that matters most for this role. Reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring process and employment—please let us know if you need one.