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Combustion Kinetics Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Field Drone Technician

Huntington Beach, CA · On-site

$20.75 - $28.50/hr

We are dedicated to solving the next generation of warfare with lethal systems that deter kinetic ... Experience with high-altitude, fixed-wing, or combustion-powered drones. * Ability to lift and ...

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Combustion Kinetics information

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$11K

$88.2K

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How much do combustion kinetics jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for combustion kinetics 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 Kinetics job?

A Combustion Kinetics job involves studying the rates and mechanisms of chemical reactions in combustion processes. Professionals in this field analyze fuel behavior, develop models to improve combustion efficiency, and reduce emissions in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and energy. They use experimental techniques and computational simulations to optimize fuel performance and mitigate environmental impact.

What are the typical daily responsibilities for someone working in Combustion Kinetics?

Professionals in Combustion Kinetics typically spend their days designing and conducting experiments, analyzing reaction mechanisms, and using computational models to simulate combustion processes. They often collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including engineers, chemists, and industrial partners, to address challenges such as emission reduction and fuel efficiency. Additionally, reporting findings through technical reports and presentations, as well as staying current with the latest research developments, forms a significant part of the role. This balance of hands-on and analytical tasks keeps the work engaging and impactful within research and industrial settings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Combustion Kinetics position, and why are they important?

To thrive in a Combustion Kinetics role, you need a strong background in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field, with expertise in reaction mechanisms and thermodynamics. Experience with simulation software such as CHEMKIN or ANSYS Fluent, as well as laboratory instrumentation and data analysis tools, is highly valuable. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential soft skills that facilitate thorough research and clear reporting. These competencies are critical for advancing combustion research, improving energy efficiency, and ensuring safety in various industrial applications.

What are the most commonly searched types of Combustion Kinetics jobs? The most popular types of Combustion Kinetics jobs are:
Infographic showing various Combustion Kinetics job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, 1% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,214 per year, or $42.4 per hour.
Postdoctoral Appointee - Ultrafast Chemical Physics, Onsite

Postdoctoral Appointee - Ultrafast Chemical Physics, Onsite

Sandia

Livermore, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

About Sandia
Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:
  • Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
  • Extraordinary co-workers
  • Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
  • Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
  • Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
  • Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov
*These benefits vary by job classification.
What Your Job Will Be Like
We seek a postdoctoral appointee to work in the Ultrafast Physics and Nonlinear Optical Diagnostics laboratory of Sandia's Gas Phase Chemical Physics Program, primarily working with PI Christopher Kliewer. In the near-term, planned work will have a heavy focus on the development of ultrafast rotational molecular control methodologies, including the operation of an optical centrifuge and pulse shaping approaches to tailor an optical molecular trap for use in chemical dynamics studies. The general theme of ongoing work in this position will be the fundamental study of both molecular control and measurement through the development of ultrafast optical diagnostic approaches to study gas phase chemical reactions. We seek applicants with experience in ultrafast nonlinear optical spectroscopy approaches and the ability to develop related spectral simulation codes for the assessment of experimental data.
On any given day, you may:
  • Collaborate with researchers on customization of ultrafast, chirped pulse optical experiments utilizing state-of-the-art Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy
  • Analyze experimental results of the light-matter interaction within classical and quantum mechanical frameworks
  • Operate and optimize a velocity map imaging spectrometer for state-resolved energy and angular momentum analysis of photodissociation of high-J molecules

You will be expected to partner with a multi-investigator team, present results at national/international meetings, and publish research in high profile peer-reviewed journals.
Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.
Qualifications We Require
  • PhD degree in physics, chemistry, engineering or a closely related discipline
  • Significant experience with ultrafast nonlinear spectroscopy

Qualifications We Desire
  • Solid background in nonlinear optics, instrumentation, ultrafast lasers, and electronics
  • Solid background chemical reaction dynamics and kinetics
  • Ability to address complex problems creatively, and to work effectively both independently and in collaboration with other researchers.
  • Strong record of publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific conferences
  • Experience with LabVIEW, MATLAB, SIMION, and 3D CAD

About Our Team
The Gas-Phase Chemical Physics Department is part of Sandia's Combustion Research Facility (CRF) in Livermore, California, where over 100 scientists, engineers, and technologists conduct basic and applied research to improve our nation's ability to use and control chemical processes efficiently and cleanly. Under the principal sponsorship of the Department of Energy's Office of Basic Energy Sciences, the Gas-Phase Chemical Physics Department conducts fundamental experimental, theoretical, and modeling research to develop a foundational understanding of the key chemical processes that underlie the complex mechanisms of chemical transformations. Research areas include chemical dynamics, ultrafast chemical physics, theoretical and experimental chemical kinetics, and gas-phase and particulate diagnostics development and deployment.
Posting Duration
This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.
Security Clearance
This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance.
Sandia will conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Furthermore, employees in New Mexico need to pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to Kirtland Air Force Base. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause access to be denied or terminated, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. Under federal law, citizens and agents of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation are generally prohibited from accessing Sandia National Laboratories. Accordingly, such individuals will not be considered for employment unless they are also a citizen of the United States.
If hired without a clearance and it subsequently becomes necessary to obtain and maintain one for the position, or you bid on positions that require a clearance, a pre-processing background review may be conducted prior to a required federal background investigation. Applicants for a DOE security clearance need to be U.S. citizens. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.
Members of the workforce (MOWs) hired at Sandia who require uncleared access for greater than 179 days during their employment, are required to go through the Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) process. Access includes physical and/or cyber (logical) access, as well as remote access to any NNSA information technology (IT) systems. UPIV requirements are not applicable to individuals who require a DOE personnel security clearance for the performance of their SNL employment or to foreign nationals. The UPIV process will include the completion of a USAccess Enrollment, SF-85 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions) and OF-306 (Declaration of for Federal Employment). An unfavorable UPIV determination will result in immediate retrieval of the SNL issued badge, removal of cyber (logical) access and/or removal from SNL subcontract. All MOWs may appeal the unfavorable UPIV determination to DOE/NNSA immediately. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the MOW may try to go through the UPIV process one year after the decision date.
EEO
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.
NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs
If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.
If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.
Position Information
This postdoctoral position is a temporary position for up to one year, which may be renewed at Sandia's discretion up to five additional years. The PhD must have been conferred within five years prior to employment.
Individuals in postdoctoral positions may bid on regular Sandia positions as internal candidates, and in some cases may be converted to regular career positions during their term if warranted by ongoing operational needs, continuing availability of funds, and satisfactory job performance.