Senior Aerodynamics Engineer

Employer description

ABOUT US:Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company developing a scalable technology platform to power critical infrastructure, mission operations, and the future of flight. We apply aerospace engineering and quality standards across our products, delivering high performance, reliability, and efficiency for the most demanding operating environments. Astro Mechanica is backed by leading venture and strategic investors, including Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Giant Step Capital, United Airlines Ventures, and Voyager Ventures.

WHO WE ARE:We’re a team of passionate engineers dedicated to advancing aerospace. We’re generalists with specialist depth, united by a flat structure and a shared obsession with building things that work well. We move fast, stay pragmatic, and let engineering excellence speak louder than hierarchy.

WHO YOU ARE:You are an aerodynamicist who moves seamlessly between first-principles physics, computational analysis, and experimental validation- using each to inform and challenge the others. You take ownership of complex, ambiguous problems and drive them to ground truth, making sound engineering judgments while balancing speed and rigor. You are deeply technical but not siloed- comfortable working across disciplines, contributing wherever needed, and focused on the end goal of building and flying real hardware. In a fast-paced, hands-on environment, you care about what works, not just what models say, and you are motivated by the opportunity to directly shape the performance of high-speed flight systems.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:Perform design and analysis of aircraft aerodynamics across subsonic, transonic, and supersonic flight regimes

Conduct computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis using multiple solvers, including gridding and post-processing methods

Develop and apply advanced optimization techniques to enhance aerodynamic performance

Create and utilize parametric geometry models for design and analysis purposes

Support the design, fabrication, testing, and data analysis of wind tunnel models

Work closely with cross-functional teams to refine concepts, conduct trade studies, and develop multidisciplinary design, analysis, and optimization (MDAO) systems

Lead concept refinement, cross-discipline trade studies, and develop a highly skilled flight sciences team

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field

10+ years of experience in aerodynamic design and analysis, CFD analysis, and optimization techniques

Proficiency in CFD solvers, parametric geometry modeling, and wind tunnel testing

Experience with high-fidelity aerodynamic shape optimization using adjoint-based methods and heuristic methods

Experience synthesizing a variety of computational, experimental, and multi-fidelity data sources into cohesive aerodynamics models for design, performance, stability and control, flight simulator development, and experimental flight testing

Expertise in architecting multidisciplinary design, analysis, and optimization (MDAO) frameworks for transonic and supersonic configurations, integrating various solvers and models

Proficiency with high performance computing (HPC) environments, mesh adaptation, adjoint-based optimization; implementation of HPC via AWS, Azure, Google HPC

Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex projects

Ambition to work in a fast-paced environment

PERKS & BENEFITS:Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

401(k) program and transparent stock option plan

Self-managed and flexible time-off policy, including PTO, paid holidays, and sick time

Flexible work environment

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:At Astro Mechanica, we highly value in-office work to foster collaboration and strengthen our company culture. We consider working in the office five days a week an essential part of the employee’s role.

Astro Mechanica is an equal opportunity employer. We proudly recruit and hire a diverse workforce and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.