ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Combustion Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Arbor Energy

Lead Combustion Engineer

El Segundo, CA

$170K - $185K/yr

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 ...

Arbor Energy

Lead Combustion Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$170K - $185K/yr

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 ...

Arbor Energy

Sr. Combustion Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$150K - $175K/yr

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 ...

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 ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsCombustion JobsCombustion Jobs in California

Combustion information

See California salary details

$10.9K

$87.1K

$129.3K

How much do combustion jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for combustion in California is $87,059.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,500.00 and $88,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a combustion?

A Combustion job typically involves working with combustion systems, such as engines, furnaces, boilers, or turbines, to ensure efficient fuel burning and emissions control. Professionals in this field may design, test, maintain, and troubleshoot combustion equipment in industries like automotive, aerospace, energy, and manufacturing. They often analyze fuel performance, optimize combustion processes, and ensure compliance with environmental standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the combustion position?

To thrive as a Combustion Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical or chemical engineering, deep knowledge of thermodynamics and combustion processes, and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with simulation software like ANSYS Fluent, MATLAB, and proficiency in combustion analysis tools are typically required, along with certifications such as Professional Engineer (PE) licensure. Strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication, and teamwork skills enable success in cross-functional project environments. These competencies are vital to ensure safe, efficient, and innovative solutions for combustion systems in industries like power generation and automotive engineering.

What are some typical challenges combustion engineers face in their daily work?

Combustion engineers often encounter challenges such as optimizing fuel efficiency while minimizing emissions, troubleshooting complex system malfunctions, and staying up to date with evolving environmental regulations. They may need to balance theoretical designs with real-world constraints in manufacturing and operational settings. Working closely with multidisciplinary teams, they are often involved in root-cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance performance and safety. Successfully navigating these challenges helps drive innovation and effectiveness in combustion-related projects.

What does a combustion technician do?

A combustion technician inspects, maintains, and repairs combustion systems such as boilers, furnaces, and burners to ensure safe and efficient operation. They often use diagnostic tools, follow safety protocols, and may require certifications in HVAC or combustion technology. Their work environment typically involves industrial or commercial facilities with a focus on energy efficiency and safety standards.

What are the most commonly searched types of Combustion jobs in California?

The most popular types of Combustion jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Combustion jobs in California?

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

What job categories do people searching Combustion jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Combustion jobs in California are:

Combustion jobs near you
Infographic showing various Combustion job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $87,059 per year, or $41.9 per hour.

Lead Combustion Engineer

Arbor Energy

El Segundo, CA

$170K - $185K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 23 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

Our Lead Combustion Engineer serves as the technical authority pioneering our rocket-inspired, high-pressure oxy-fuel combustion systems - integral in delivering carbon-neutral and carbon-negative power cycles at scale.

In this leadership role, you'll own the combustion subsystem, guiding a talented team through end-to-end development of breakthrough, high-efficiency devices in a fast-paced, collaborative startup environment. You'll drive strategy from clean-sheet concepts and advanced modeling through hands-on testing, rapid iteration, and performance validation, establishing the technical direction that powers a sustainable future.

You'll mentor junior engineers, align cross-functional efforts with test, analysis, and design teams, and make critical trade-off decisions to accelerate progress while pushing the boundaries of efficiency and reliability.

This is an onsite opportunity in our El Segundo, CA office.

Responsibilities
  • Serve as technical lead for oxy-fuel combustion systems: own architecture, clean-sheet design, rigorous analysis, and delivery of breakthrough performance
  • Define and lead high-pressure/high-temperature test campaigns—from planning and execution through in-depth data analysis and actionable recommendations
  • Direct system configuration trades and performance optimization to achieve maximum efficiency, reliability, and scalability
  • Own rapid hardware development cycles—from manufacturing and assembly through testing and iterative improvements
  • Champion the use of additive manufacturing, modern CFD/tools, and advanced simulation to shorten timelines and enable innovation
  • Mentor team members, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and implement design upgrades that elevate system capability
Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, chemical engineering, or related field
  • 7+ years of experience in combustion system design, analysis, and testing
  • Deep expertise in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and combustion
  • Hands-on experience with high-temperature and pressure equipment
  • Strong leadership presence with experience mentoring engineers and influencing cross-functional teams
  • Demonstrated ability to own product lifecycle from conceptual design to validation
  • Curious, inventive, and entrepreneurial mindset—thrives in ambiguity and drives progress relentlessly
Preferred Qualifications
  • Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Chemical Engineering
  • Direct experience leading hot-fire testing campaigns in rocket propulsion, gas turbines, or similar environments
  • Proficiency in programming for data analysis and automation (Python, MATLAB, etc.)
  • Prior success in startup or fast-paced hardware development environments
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: $170,000 - $185,000 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.