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Combustion Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

NRG Energy

Combustion Turbine Technician

Aurora, IL · On-site

The Combustion Turbine Technician carries out tasks in accordance with Plant Operating and ... Perform "Auxiliary Operator" duties; assist in starting, operating, and stopping the plant and ...

NRG

Combustion Turbine Technician

Aurora, IL · On-site

The Combustion Turbine Technician carries out tasks in accordance with Plant Operating and ... Perform "Auxiliary Operator" duties; assist in starting, operating, and stopping the plant and ...

Socket.dev

CT Specialist III-V (Operator), Relief

California, MO · On-site

$16.50 - $22.25/hr

The Combustion Turbine Specialist (CTS) position consists of five levels of competency. Individuals can either enter into the classification at the beginning level of the job or somewhere between the ...

New

NRG Energy

Combustion Turbine Technician

Rockford, IL · On-site

The Combustion Turbine Technician carries out tasks in accordance with Plant Operating and ... Perform "Auxiliary Operator" duties; assist in starting, operating, and stopping the plant and ...

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All JobsCombustion Operator Jobs

Combustion Operator information

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$12

$20

$35

How much do combustion operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for combustion operator in the United States is $20.53, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $20.19 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Combustion Operator vs Boiler Operator?

AspectCombustion OperatorBoiler Operator
CertificationsTypically requires combustion or process operation certificationsOften requires boiler operation licenses or certifications
Work EnvironmentWorks in power plants, refineries, or manufacturing facilities managing combustion processesOperates and maintains boilers in industrial or power plant settings
Industry UsageCommonly employed in energy, manufacturing, and power generation industriesPrimarily found in energy, utilities, and industrial sectors

Both roles involve operating equipment related to energy production, but Combustion Operators focus on managing combustion processes, while Boiler Operators maintain and operate boilers. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What are popular job titles related to Combustion Operator jobs?

For Combustion Operator jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Combustion Operator job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 48% Full Time, 50% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,704 per year, or $20.5 per hour.

RESEARCH ENGINEER - SR. RESEARCH ENGINEER - Computational Combustion Engineer

San Antonio, TX • On-site

Southwest Research Institute
Scientific Research and Development Services • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Southwest Research Instituteexternal

$94K - $129K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago

Southwest Research Institute rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 22 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Who We Are:
The Propulsion & Energy Machinery Section performs engineering R&D in the fields of gas turbine combustion, air-breathing propulsion, industrial heat and power, and liquid propulsion. Our technologies are powering a cleaner future and advancing state-of-the-art propulsion systems for air and space flight.
Objectives of this Role:
  • Support the development, analysis, and testing of power generation and propulsion systems, with a specific focus on combustion applications.
  • Engage in the development of advanced computational models to explore complex combustion phenomena, contributing to cutting-edge research in thermofluids, power generation, and propulsion systems.
  • Utilize expertise in heat transfer, fluid dynamics, gas dynamics, and combustion processes to optimize designs and improve performance in power generation and propulsion systems.
  • Leverage state-of-the-art Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software, including Ansys Fluent, Converge, and OpenFOAM to simulate flow conditions and analyze combustion processes in power generation and propulsion systems.
  • Integrate experimental insights with simulation data to validate models and develop predictive capabilities for combustion processes in power generation and propulsion systems operating under extreme conditions.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:
  • Provide cross-disciplinary support to multiple projects within the field of combustion, focusing mainly on computational tasks.
  • Conduct design, optimization, and validation of combustion processes using CFD.
  • Contribute to the design of combustion processes for power generation and propulsion systems.
  • Assist in executing experimental test campaigns, including data acquisition, processing, and analysis, to support model validation.
  • Be a problem solver that exercises creativity and independent judgement in developing approaches to address a wide range of technical challenges.

Requirements:
  • Requires a Bachelors, Masters or a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related engineering degree.
  • 5 years relevant professional experience required with Bachelors degree, 3 years relevant professional experience required with Masters degree, and 1 year of related experience required with PhD.
  • 1-5 years: Demonstrated experience in CFD simulations of thermofluids and combustion processes. Experience with supersonic and/or hypersonic flow simulations is preferred but not required.
  • 1-5 years: Experience in computationally-aided design of propulsion and power generation systems. Experience in designing system components is also valued.
  • 1-5 years: Demonstrated proficiency in using CFD software such as Ansys Fluent, Converge, STAR-CCM+, or OpenFOAM for simulating and analyzing combustion processes. Experience with additional simulation tools is preferred but not required.
  • Experimental experience with combustion processes and mechanical design is highly desirable but not mandatory. MS or PhD degrees in engineering are preferred, but not required. Relevant degrees will also be considered.
  • A valid/clear driver's license is required.

Special Requirements:
Applicant selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen.
Job Locations: San Antonio, Texas
For more information about this division, visit the Mechanical Engineering home page.
For benefits information at our San Antonio location, click here .
For benefits information at all other locations, click here .
An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and veteran status.

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