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Combustion Simulation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Simulation Engineer

Suffield, CT · On-site

$101K - $139K/yr

Senior Simulation Engineer (Bearings & Seals) This role is fully onsite in Bloomfield, CT, five ... At LiquidPiston, we're redefining what's possible in internal combustion. Our patented X-Engine ...

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Combustion Simulation information

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$11K

$67.6K

$121.5K

How much do combustion simulation jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for combustion simulation in the United States is $67,601.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,000.00 and $79,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Combustion Simulation job?

A Combustion Simulation job involves using computational tools to model and analyze combustion processes in engines, furnaces, or other reactive systems. Engineers in this role work with CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) software to predict flame behavior, emissions, and efficiency. They optimize designs for performance, safety, and environmental compliance. This job is critical in industries like automotive, aerospace, and energy to develop cleaner and more efficient combustion technologies.

What are some typical daily responsibilities for a professional working in combustion simulation?

Professionals in combustion simulation regularly develop and run computational models to predict the behavior of combustion systems under various conditions. They analyze simulation results, validate findings against experimental data, and work closely with engineers and researchers to refine engine designs or industrial processes. Daily tasks may include preparing technical reports, presenting results, and iterating on simulation setups to optimize performance or meet regulatory standards. This role often involves collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and staying updated with the latest advancements in simulation technology.

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

To thrive in Combustion Simulation, you need a strong background in mechanical or chemical engineering, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics, typically supported by an advanced degree. Expertise in simulation software such as ANSYS Fluent, CHEMKIN, or COMSOL, as well as familiarity with programming languages like Python or MATLAB, is highly valuable. Excellent problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills are essential for interpreting complex data and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. These skills enable accurate modeling, analysis, and optimization of combustion processes, directly impacting product development and efficiency.

More about Combustion Simulation jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Combustion Simulation jobs? The most popular types of Combustion Simulation jobs are:
What job categories do people searching Combustion Simulation jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Combustion Simulation jobs are:
Infographic showing various Combustion Simulation job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,601 per year, or $32.5 per hour.
Software Engineer, Propulsion Simulation & Data Analysis

Software Engineer, Propulsion Simulation & Data Analysis

SpaceX

Hawthorne, CA • On-site

$145K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 144 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

13th of 60 rated aerospace companies


Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
SOFTWARE ENGINEER, PROPULSION SIMULATION & DATA ANALYSIS (RAPTOR)
The Raptor Systems Modeling and Control Team is responsible for the power-balance, optimal control, and calibration of one of the worlds most prolific and advanced rocket engines. In addition to this we aid in root cause analysis for anomaly resolution, providing data and model driven insights supporting operations and components teams in high-consequence decision making. Our models and analysis are relied upon day-in-and-day-out to evaluate the safety and optimality of flight trajectories. With hundreds of engines, hundreds of simulations, and hundreds of hot fire operations, the work we do guides both the engine design process and operation of every single mission and engine test. In this role you will work with brilliant, passionate engineers to develop rapid, seamless processes to translate engine test data into accurate predictions of future performance for the most reliable and cutting-edge rocket engines in the world.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Maintain and improve the accuracy of the lumped-parameter thermofluid physics model of the Raptor engine
  • Conduce engine cycle analysis to steer future-state engine design and thrust upgrades
  • Conduct anomaly resolution utilizing the engine model and sparse instrumentation
  • Develop a detailed understanding of the physics underlying rocket engine performance, sources of performance variability, as well as related modeling and measurement techniques
  • Maintain and improve the accuracy of the representation of the Raptor engine used in integrated vehicle simulations, control software validation and flight Monte Carlo analysis
  • Develop tools and portals to understand the sources of engine performance variability and enact improvements to manufacturing and engine hardware design
  • Automate processes and software tools that are used to predict test performance and generate flight performance predictions for GNC (guidance, navigation, and control) and flight software
  • Collaborate with engineers across the company to extend and improve interoperability among existing tools as well as to standardize hardware and software practices, tools, and methods to maximize functionality and value while minimizing future overhead and obsolescence

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or a STEM discipline
  • 1+ year experience writing computer software
  • 1+ year experience with physics-based simulations of real dynamic systems

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Dynamical systems modeling
  • Experience with lumped parameter modeling of physical systems
  • Experience implementing physics-informed neural networks to solve real-world engineering problems
  • Data driven analysis of complex systems
  • Experience inferring root cause from sparse measurements
  • Demonstrable proficiency in the basic principles of compressible and incompressible flow, thermodynamics, thermochemistry, mechanics, and materials
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to make presentations to team members, internal customers and management
  • Experience building data pipelines providing sanitization, curation, visualization, exploration to high dimensional datasets
  • Experience working with or simulating combustion engines or fluid systems
  • Full stack web development experience (database design, frontend)
  • Frontend experience in Angular, React, or a similar JavaScript framework
  • Backend Development: deliver well-tested, performant, and maintainable Python, C#/.NET, C++ or Java code
  • Experience with version control, continuous integration, Unix-like operating systems
  • Experience with control feedback loop design and implementation
  • Experience with numerical analysis techniques and signal processing in multiple domains

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Level I: $125,000.00 - $150,000.00/per year
Level II: $145,000.00 - $175,000.00/per year,
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, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
  • To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.

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