Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Engineer (Level II or Senior)

Job title: Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Engineer (Level II or Senior)

About the Role Join Stratolaunch's advanced hypersonic design team as a CFD Engineer (Level II or Senior). You will support conceptual and detailed design of hypersonic vehicles, focusing on CFD analyses, aerodynamic and aerothermal modeling, and the development of analytical tools.

What You'll Do

• Conduct advanced CFD analyses of captive carry and hypersonic vehicles, emphasizing interference effects (multi-body, control surface, propulsion-airframe) and high-speed, high-enthalpy flows (Mach 5+).
• Develop, manage, and validate large CFD databases for various configurations using CFD results and supporting test data.
• Contribute to aerodynamic and aerothermal databases by integrating analytical, numerical, wind tunnel, and flight test data.
• Support trajectory analysis and optimization for current and future vehicles.
• Analyze wind tunnel and flight test data to validate CFD models.
• Develop and maintain CFD automation tools to support the team.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate CFD results into broader vehicle design and performance analyses.
• Support business proposals and technical presentations to government and industry partners.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field; 2+ years (Level II) or 5+ years (Senior) of engineering experience, or equivalent.
• Strong foundation in aerodynamics, aerothermal dynamics, and flight mechanics.
• Proficiency in CFD meshing with Pointwise, ANSA, or Link3D to generate high-quality meshes for complex geometries.
• Proficiency with at least one major CFD solver (e.g., US3D, Fun3D, StarCCM+, Kestrel).
• Programming/scripting skills (Python, MATLAB, or similar) for automation and post-processing.
• Ability to work independently and adapt to changing priorities; willingness to obtain/maintain security clearance.

Nice to Have

• Experience with hypersonic aerodynamic theory and analysis.
• Expertise in CFD for subsonic, transonic, or hypersonic flows.
• Experience with complex CFD simulations including multibody interactions, plume, scramjet, or aero heating predictions.
• Familiarity with advanced meshing techniques including overset meshing and fully structured meshes on complex vehicles.
• Experience developing and managing large CFD databases.
• Experience conducting CFD and related tasks on HPC resources.
• Proficient in lofting compound surfaces for aerospace vehicles.
• Experience with CFD analysis tools – preferred: US3D, Fun3D, Pointwise, ANSA, Link3D, StarCCM+, Kestrel, Tecplot, Paraview.
• Experience with CAD tools – preferred: Siemens NX.
• Active security clearance.

Compensation & Benefits

• Level II ($101,079-$146,500) or Sr-Level ($120,500-$158,000) annual base salary, depending on experience.
• 9/80 schedule; healthcare (medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs).
• Paid maternity and parental leave.
• 50% company match per contributed dollar into 401(k) savings plan, up to $11,500.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Travel estimated to be