Staff Aerothermal Engineer (CFD)

Job Posted 12 Days Ago Posted 12 Days Ago
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Vista, CA
Expert/Leader
Aerospace
The Role
The Staff Aerothermal Engineer will lead external flow-field aerothermodynamic analysis for a high-performance re-entry vehicle. Responsibilities include developing CFD tools, creating high-fidelity simulations, mentoring team members, and integrating test data into aerothermal models. This highly specialized role demands expertise in hypersonic systems and a commitment to innovative problem-solving in a fast-paced environment.
Summary Generated by Built In

Turning Space into a Transportation Layer for Earth

Who We Are:

Eras of humanity can often be defined by a dominant transportation mode - horse-drawn chariots, ocean-going boats, or aircraft. These were spurred by a small group of people rigorously focused on building technology to achieve faster access to more of the world.  We seek to usher in a new era of humanity defined by universal access to the whole globe free of borders and the presence of a routine way from space to Earth. To do this, we are building highly maneuverable re-entry vehicles that can loiter in orbit before precision landing back on Earth. 

What You’ll Do: 

Inversion’s lifting-body reentry platform will create a highly maneuverable, highly accurate, and low-cost vehicle that will be industry-first. The Staff Aerothermal Engineer will be responsible for ownership of external flow-field aerothermodynamic analysis. This role will be a key contributor to Inversion's advanced aerothermal 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. 

Required Qualifications: 

  • Master’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience  
  • Typically, a minimum of 12 years of experience in hypersonic, supersonic, reentry, or rocketry external flow-field aerothermodynamic analysis 
  • Strong knowledge of high fidelity, hypersonic Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). 
  • Strong knowledge of flows in thermal-chemical non-equilibrium 
  • Experience with key aspects of hypersonic system modeling such as hypersonic boundary layer, heat transfer modeling, non-equilibrium thermodynamics, chemistry modeling, turbulence, etc. 
  • Experience with recession analysis / material response 
  • Experience integrating ground & flight test data into aerothermal vehicle models 
  • Proficiency in DPLR, LAURA, and/or US3D 
  • Background in designing hypersonic re-entry vehicles 
  • Familiarity with Fidelity Pointwise, or equivalent meshing software for generating high-quality meshes suitable for a variety of simulations 
  • Experience with conceptual, preliminary, and final design/analysis of thermal protection systems 
  • 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 
  • This position is onsite at Inversion HQ in Playa Vista, CA. 

Desired Qualifications: 

  • PhD in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, or an equivalent field. 
  • Experience conducting a comprehensive CFD campaign, from a vehicle’s early stages to the first flight 
  • Experience using programming languages like Python, C++, MATLAB, etc. 
  • Involvement in planning, leading, and/or post-processing wind 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 $160,000-$210,000.  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. 

ITAR Compliance:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.  

 

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Inversion provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or disability.  

 

Inversion collects and processes personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws.  If you are a US Job Applicant see the CCPA Privacy Policy Notice for further details.

Top Skills

C++
Matlab
Python
The Company
HQ: Torrance, CA
21 Employees
On-site Workplace
Year Founded: 2021

What We Do

Inversion is developing low-cost, high cadence re-entry vehicles. Returning cargo & resources will be essential for humanity to continue to grow within low-earth orbit and beyond.

We believe in a future where returning from space is as common as launching to space.

Join us: https://boards.greenhouse.io/inversionspace

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