Senior Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics Engineer
$140,333–$179,314 year
On-siteEl Segundo, California, United States
Job Summary
Own the aerodynamic and aeroheating database development across the full flight envelope, from rarefied entry through hypersonic maneuvering to subsonic terminal approach. Plan, execute, and reduce data from wind tunnel campaigns; reconcile ground test results with CFD predictions and update vehicle databases with traceable, well-documented revisions. Run high-fidelity CFD and DSMC simulations of hypersonic and subsonic flows using tools such as Fun3D, LAURA, DPLR, US3D, SPARTA, DAC, and CBAero; build structured and unstructured meshes in Pointwise. Characterize static and dynamic stability, develop 6DOF simulation inputs, and contribute to flight rules and vehicle-level performance models. Synthesize aerodynamic evidence from CFD, wind tunnel, and flight telemetry into a coherent, traceable database that supports GNC, TPS sizing, and mission analysis. Lead post-flight aerodynamic reconstruction and performance assessments; identify where preflight predictions diverged from reality and drive model updates that make the next mission sharper. Collaborate across disciplines: GNC, structures, TPS, and mission planning, to deliver flight-ready aeroscience products and serve as the aerodynamics voice in every cross-discipline design discussion.
Required Qualifications
- BS degree in engineering or physics
- 6+ years of relevant industry experience
- relevant PhD
- 3+ years of relevant industry experience
- Meaningful contribution to the aerodynamic development of a hypersonic vehicle that has flown, or is on track to fly within the next 5 years
- Experience analyzing aerodynamic data from test, CFD, flight, and other sources
- Experience documenting findings rigorously
- Experience running CFD and DSMC simulations of hypersonic and subsonic flows
- Experience with Fun3D
- Experience with LAURA
- Experience with DPLR
- Experience with US3D
- Experience with SPARTA
- Experience with DAC
- Experience with CBAero
- Comfortable building structured and unstructured meshes in Pointwise
- Proficiency in MATLAB
- Proficiency in Python
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- demonstrated ability to translate complex aeroscience findings for cross-disciplinary audiences
- ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
- U.S. citizenship
Desired Qualifications
- Exposure to 6DOF flight dynamics modeling
- experience developing flight rules
- been involved in the aerodynamic development of a currently flying vehicle from cradle to grave
- Advanced degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering
- specializing in aerodynamics or fluid mechanics
- Hands-on wind tunnel campaign experience
- including test planning
- including execution
- including data reduction
- Direct ownership of aerodynamic and aeroheating databases for a flying vehicle
- Familiarity with modeling vehicle dynamics in POST2
- Familiarity with modeling vehicle dynamics in similar 6DOF tools
- Experience sizing ablative or non-ablative TPS
- Experience with flight reconstruction
- Experience with post-flight performance evaluations
- Technical breadth in adjacent disciplines (GNC, avionics, software, structures)
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