Senior Aerodynamics Engineer

Advanced Reentry Technologies

Position Overview:

Inversion's reentry vehicles fly from orbital velocity to a precision landing, and every design decision, simulation, etc. along the way rests on an accurate characterization of how the vehicle flies. As a Senior Aerodynamics Engineer, you will generate and database the aerodynamic characteristics of our vehicles across the full flight envelope, aggregating data from high-fidelity CFD, lower-order methods, and wind tunnel testing into database products that drive system-level simulations. In this role, you will:

• Develop and maintain aerodynamic force and moment databases spanning the full flight envelope, from hypersonic entry through terminal flight
• Predict the aerodynamic forces and moments acting on Inversion reentry vehicles using high fidelity CFD tools across their flight envelopes.
• Apply lower-order tools panel codes, Newtonian aerodynamics, and handbook methods to efficiently populate the broader envelope
• Aggregate data of varying fidelity into coherent database products and define associated uncertainties to drive 3-DOF and 6-DOF system-level simulations
• Support downstream users across GNC, simulation, and mission design in applying the databases correctly
• Build and mature the tooling and automation behind database generation and delivery
• Refine models using wind tunnel and flight-testing data

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience
• Typically, 5+ years of experience in aerodynamic analysis of aerospace vehicles (reentry, hypersonic, missile, launch, or high-performance aircraft systems)
• Experience with high-fidelity CFD analysis of compressible external flows (e.g., FUN3D, OVERFLOW, CART3D, US3D, Kestrel, or similar)
• Experience with lower-order aerodynamic prediction methods, such as panel codes and Newtonian/modified Newtonian aerodynamics
• Experience with handbook methods and empirical aerodynamic correlations
• Experience aggregating aerodynamic data from sources of varying fidelity into an overall database product used to drive vehicle simulation and design
• Strong fundamentals in compressible aerodynamics across speed regimes and in vehicle static and dynamic stability
• Proficiency in programming languages like Python, MATLAB, C++, or Fortran for analysis tooling and automation
• 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:

• Master's or PhD in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, or an equivalent field
• Experience with the aerodynamics of reentry, hypersonic, or lifting-body vehicles
• Experience with uncertainty quantification and the definition of aerodynamic dispersions for Monte Carlo simulation
• Experience reconciling aerodynamic models against flight test data, including aerodynamic parameter identification
• Familiarity with Fidelity Pointwise, Link3D, or equivalent meshing software for generating high-quality meshes
• Experience with high-performance computing environments and large-scale CFD campaign automation
• Experience with wind tunnel testing, including test planning, execution, and/or data reduction
• Familiarity with 6-DOF flight simulation as a downstream consumer of aerodynamic databases
• Prior experience working in startups and/or small independent teams

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 $137,000-$193,000. 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.