Inversion Space
Staff Aerothermal CFD Engineer
$161K–$221K
Playa Vista, California, United States · Staff · Full-time · Posted May 4, 2026
- Experience
- Typically, 9+ years; no alternative stated.
- Education
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
- Visa sponsorship
- 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 for ITAR compliance.
About the job
Leads high-fidelity aerothermal CFD modeling of reentry vehicles, especially in rarefied flow regimes, and helps define simulation tools and strategy.
What you'll do
- Create and lead high-fidelity simulations and improve CFD tools and workflows.
- Characterize vehicle aerothermodynamic environments and build confidence in vehicle models.
- Mentor team members and contribute to CFD strategy for hypersonic systems.
What they ask for
- 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 where inter-molecular forces must be considered; knowledge of thermal-chemical non-equilibrium flows.
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.
Nice to have
- Masters / PhD in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, or an equivalent field.
- Experience modifying CFD solvers or coupling them for multi-physics simulations.
Pay
$161,000-$221,000 USD base salary
Tools
SPARTA, DAC, MAP, Fidelity Pointwise, Link3D, US3D, DPLR, LAURA
Model-written summary · the original posting is authoritative