Combustion (propulsion) Engineering Lead

Combustion Engineering Lead

Are you looking for an exciting career with an industry leading turbomachinery/jet engine aerospace engineering company with cutting edge products, unique niche markets, and a highly skilled expert workforce? Then you have come to the right place! Florida Turbine Technologies (FTT), a Kratos Turbine Technologies company, is a growing world-class turbomachinery company located in beautiful Jupiter, Florida USA, which employs 300+ engineers and technicians with over 4,000 combined years of aero engine (military and commercial), industrial, and space turbomachinery experience. With a deep bench of experience in each discipline, FTT has been growing steadily for 25 years. We specialize in next-generation technologies for aircraft engines, rocket turbopumps, and industrial power equipment and focus on the development and production of small, affordable, high-performance jet engines for cruise missiles and unmanned aerial systems (UAS). We provide a one-stop shop with capabilities in design, aerodynamics, performance, heat transfer and secondary flow, rotor dynamics and bearing design, structural analysis and life predictions, manufacturing, testing, and field support. Our Turbine Technologies division also provides engineering services, testing services, and material solutions for military and commercial engines, space propulsion, and industrial power-producing applications. Additional offices in Derby, UK and Wildau, Germany extend FTT's reputation for engineering excellence to the European marketplace and provide access to a European supply chain and next generation manufacturing capabilities. Our parent company, Kratos Defense and Security Solutions, leverages cross-industry capabilities to deliver innovative, cost-saving solutions for all its customers. This role is restricted to U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain/maintain security clearance. FTT will require proof of status prior to employment.

General Job Summary

Combustion Engineering Lead will be an on-site engineering discipline supervisor and technical leader within FTT's engineering department. This person will be conducting design, analysis, development, and test validation of gas turbine combustors, while supervising and guiding a highly skilled group of combustion engineers and technicians.

Essential Job Functions

• Direct combustion system development of complex state-of-the-art turbomachinery.
• Guide and develop highly skilled engineers in the execution of combustion system development, including design, test, qualification, and fielding of flight-certified platforms.
• Plan, perform, and direct design activities for gas turbine engines through the entire development cycle, especially in combustion aero design.
• Contribute to the development of best practices and processes of analytical tools and methodologies.
• Take ownership of the team's results as it directly supports the program deliverables.
• Lead the development of FTT's combustion strategy.
• Communicate technical and business results via reports and presentations to senior management.
• Prepare and present engineering reports, analyses, and proposals.

Supervisory Responsibility

Yes, will have direct reports.

Required Experience

• Knowledge and practical expertise in combustion aerodynamics, including the ability to analyze and correlate analytical/CFD results with experiments and engine test data.
• Proven experience in successfully leading combustion system development program planning and/or program management, including cost, schedule, and manpower planning.
• Experience with all stages of gas turbine combustor development cycle from preliminary design, through detailed design, rig and engine testing, to engine certification.
• Hands-on experience in test planning, setup, instrumentation requirements, and validation of new combustion system designs.
• Direct experience with small engines.
• Experience with any ancillary combustion system components and their design, including fuel nozzles, ignition systems, thermal management, and/or combustion dynamics is desirable.
• High familiarity in advanced computational/CFD methods and best practices.
• Proficiency in ANSYS FLUENT is preferred.

Education and Experience

• BS, MS, and/or PhD in Engineering.
• 10+ years' experience in combustion system design, analyses, and tests.

Work Environment/Physical Requirements

• Office/open cubicle environment.
• Ability to sit for long periods of time.
• Ability to perform repetitive motion (keyboarding, mouse, phones, rotating wrist, using tools/equipment).

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. Disability Accessibility Accommodation If you require an accommodation to navigate or apply to our careers site, please send your request to HRAccessibility@kratosdefense.com or call 858-964-2916. Any inquires not related to requesting an accommodation will be discarded. Pay Transparency The company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Job Applicant Privacy Notice For applicants in the EU and California residents, please review our privacy notice.