Job details

Gasification Engineer

Get a free resume review

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.

We’re looking for a Gasification Engineer to take ownership of the development, testing, and optimization of our biomass gasification reactor 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.

Responsibilities

Serve as technical lead for the biomass gasification reactor, 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.

$130,000 - $150,000 a year

Salary is subject to skills, qualifications, and experience.

The business opportunity for carbon removal technology is growing rapidly, and we want our team to share in Arbor's successes, so we offer stock options to all employees.

In addition, we offer extensive medical benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, company FSA and HSA contributions, unlimited PTO, and 12+ company holidays (including Earth Day).

Arbor is an equal-opportunity employer. We never discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or marital, veteran, or disability status. Building a global solution to this global problem will require humans of all varieties to contribute diverse ideas and experiences, so we have put finding and hiring qualified individuals from underrepresented groups at the top of our priority list.

Average salary estimate

$140000 / YEARLY (est.)

min

max

$130000K

$150000K

If an employer mentions a salary or salary range on their job, we display it as an "Employer Estimate". If a job has no salary data, Rise displays an estimate if available.

What You Should Know About Gasification Engineer, Arbor

Join Arbor's innovative team as a Gasification Engineer in El Segundo, CA, and be a pivotal part of our mission to bring sustainable bioenergy solutions to life! At Arbor, our talented engineers and scientists leverage cutting-edge rocket engine technology to develop a scalable, low-cost Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) approach. As a Gasification Engineer, you will lead the design, testing, and optimization of our revolutionary biomass gasification reactor, starting from demonstration stages and pushing into pilot phases and beyond. You'll have the chance to dive deep into performance testing, troubleshoot daily operations, and implement design improvements that ensure our systems are not only reliable but also high-performing. Your work will encompass conducting test campaigns from planning through data analysis, and you'll drive system optimization by assessing feedstock elasticity. Collaboration is critical; you'll work closely with cross-functional teams to support integration and scale-up efforts, all while ensuring the safe operation of our advanced thermochemical equipment. If you have a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Chemical Engineering, plus 5+ years of hands-on experience in combustion systems, we’d love to have you on board! This role offers a competitive salary but also a chance to make meaningful contributions to a sustainable future. So, are you ready to take the next step in your career and help us make a significant impact on carbon removal technology?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Gasification Engineer Role at Arbor

What are the main responsibilities of a Gasification Engineer at Arbor?

As a Gasification Engineer at Arbor, your primary responsibilities will include leading the design and operation of the biomass gasification reactor, conducting performance tests, and troubleshooting daily operations. You'll also be involved in assessing system performance and optimizing configurations to ensure efficiency and reliability, all while working closely with cross-functional teams to facilitate the scaling up of our innovative technologies.