As a Combustion Engineer, lead the development and optimization of biomass gasification reactors, ensuring safe and efficient operations while managing test campaigns and troubleshooting.
We’re looking for a Sr. Combustion Engineer to take ownership of the development, testing, and optimization of our novel combustion devices as we scale from demonstration to pilot and beyond. As a core member of a small, hands-on combustion team, you’ll guide daily operations, execute performance testing, and lead design improvements to ensure safe, reliable, and high-performing systems.
Arbor’s team of world-class engineers and scientists are developing a scalable, low-cost approach to Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) based on modern rocket engine technology. BECCS is a carbon dioxide removal (CDR) approach that uses biomass to produce energy and remove CO₂ from the atmosphere and store it permanently underground, while ensuring food security, rural livelihoods, and biodiversity are not affected. Our modular technology leverages the power density of supercritical CO2 to enable compact gasification, oxy-combustion, and high-pressure turbo-expansion to convert abundant waste biomass into clean electricity, water, and high-purity CO2, capturing and sequestering all emissions from the process. Our team brings together a passion for science, technology, and global stewardship to make low-cost, high-quality carbon removal and baseload power a reality.
Responsibilities
- Serve as technical lead for our novel combustion devices, owning design, build, operation, and iteration.
- Conduct and lead test campaigns, including planning, execution, and data analysis.
- Operate and troubleshoot the gasification reactor during daily testing and development.
- Guide system configuration and performance optimization efforts.
- Own and execute feedstock sensitivity studies to assess system flexibility and robustness.
- Drive continuous improvement through design changes and upgrades.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to support system integration and scale-up.
- Ensure safe operation of high-temperature, high-pressure thermochemical equipment.
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.
- Hands-on experience with high-temperature and pressure equipment.
- Demonstrated ability to own product lifecycle from conceptual design to validation.
- Willing to travel (up to 20%) to the test site in San Bernardino, CA, for operational activities and builds.
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) with a focus on combustion science or energy systems.
- Experience with supercritical CO₂ or high-pressure combustion systems.
- Familiarity with low-emissions combustion strategies, such as lean premixed combustion or staged combustion.
- Knowledge of chemical kinetics and fuel property effects on combustion behavior.
- Proficiency in combustion modeling tools (e.g., CHEMKIN, Cantera, Fluent, or OpenFOAM).
- Programming or scripting skills for data reduction and automation (Python, MATLAB, etc.).
- Experience working in startup or experimental R&D environments.
Benefits
- 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!
Arbor 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.
Top Skills
Cantera
Chemkin
Fluent
Matlab
Openfoam
Python
Arbor Energy Los Angeles, California, USA Office
Los Angeles, CA, United States
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