Staff Aerothermal CFD Engineer

Position Overview:

The Staff Aerothermal Engineer will be responsible for characterizing the aerothermodynamic environment on and around the vehicle with an emphasis on the rarefied flow regime. This role will be a key contributor to Inversion's advanced modeling efforts, and responsible for developing, improving, and implementing cutting-edge CFD tools and workflows. 

On a day-to-day basis, the staff aerothermal engineer will lead the creation of high-fidelity simulations, mentor team members, and act as the driving force behind our efforts to build confidence in our vehicle models. This is a unique opportunity to help define the CFD strategy for groundbreaking technology, creatively solve novel high-speed flow challenges, and play a pivotal role in the design of next-generation hypersonic systems.

Successful candidates will have a background in DSMC simulation or familiarity with multi-physics plasma environments, a passion for pushing those tools to their limits and the drive to extend them when the work demands it.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Typically, 9+ years of experience in hypersonic, supersonic, reentry, or rocketry external flow-field aerothermodynamic analysis.
• Strong experience with high fidelity simulation of gas dynamics at conditions where inter-molecular forces must be considered (SPARTA, DAC, MAP, plasma simulation tools, etc.).
• Familiarity with Fidelity Pointwise, Link3D or equivalent meshing software for generating high-quality meshes suitable for a variety of simulations.
• Strong knowledge of flows in thermal-chemical non-equilibrium.
• Experience modeling mixed-regime flows such as plumes exhausting into rarefied flows.
• Experience integrating ground & flight test data into aerothermal vehicle models.
• Proficiency in uncertainty quantification & relevant mathematical models.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, including prototyping and rapid iteration of new products.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications:

• Masters / PhD in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, or an equivalent field.
• Experience modifying CFD solvers or coupling them for multi-physics simulations.
• Experience with high temperature gas flow solvers (US3D, DPLR and/or LAURA).
• Experience with modeling radiative heating using radiation transport tools.
• Experience conducting a comprehensive CFD campaign, from a vehicle’s early stages to the first flight.
• Experience using programming languages like Python, Fortran, C++, MATLAB, etc.
• Involvement in planning, leading, and/or post-processing arc-jet tunnel campaigns.

Our office headquarters is located in Playa Vista, CA. This position requires in-office presence. 

The California annual base salary for this role is currently $161,000-$221,000.  Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data.  Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education and experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.