Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics Engineer II

The role

The candidate will own aerodynamic and aeroheating database development across the full flight envelope. They will support current vehicle operations and the development of the next reentry vehicle through CFD simulations and wind tunnel campaigns.

What you will do

• Own the aerodynamic and aeroheating database development across the full flight envelope
• Plan, execute, and reduce data from wind tunnel campaigns
• Run high-fidelity CFD and DSMC simulations
• Build structured and unstructured meshes in Pointwise
• Characterize static and dynamic stability and develop 6DOF simulation inputs
• Synthesize aerodynamic evidence from CFD, wind tunnel, and flight telemetry
• Lead post-flight aerodynamic reconstruction and performance assessments
• Collaborate across disciplines including GNC, structures, TPS, and mission planning

Required qualifications

• BS degree in engineering or physics and 3+ years of relevant industry experience, or a relevant PhD and 1+ years of relevant industry experience
• Meaningful contribution to the aerodynamic development of a hypersonic vehicle that has flown, or is on track to fly within the next 5 years
• Experience analyzing aerodynamic data from test, CFD, flight, and other sources
• Experience running CFD and DSMC simulations of hypersonic and subsonic flows (Fun3D, LAURA, DPLR, US3D, SPARTA, DAC, CBAero)
• Comfortable building structured and unstructured meshes in Pointwise
• Proficiency in MATLAB or Python
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
• U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
• Must be a U.S. person

Nice to have

• Advanced degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, specializing in aerodynamics or fluid mechanics
• Hands-on wind tunnel campaign experience, including test planning, execution, and data reduction
• Direct ownership of aerodynamic and aeroheating databases for a flying vehicle
• Familiarity with modeling vehicle dynamics in POST2 or similar 6DOF tools
• Experience sizing ablative or non-ablative TPS
• Experience with flight reconstruction and post-flight performance evaluations
• Technical breadth in adjacent disciplines (GNC, avionics, software, structures)

Benefits

• Stock options
• Long-term cash awards

Before you apply

• U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
• Must be a U.S. person

About the company

Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. The company is headquartered in El Segundo, California.