Aerosol Dispersion Systems Engineer (R&D)

Blackwing; El Segundo (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Rainmaker is seeking a highly hands-on Mechanical/Aerospace Research Engineer with deep expertise in aerosol science, multiphase flow, and compressible fluid dynamics.

In this role, you will bridge the gap between cloud physics and high-performance fluid systems, designing hardware that utilizes high-velocity gas dynamics to both fragment nanoparticle agglomerates and atomize liquid precursors into submicron aerosols.

Qualifications

• BS, MS, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Approximately 5 years of hands-on experience in mechanical engineering, focused on fluid dynamics and multiphase flow.
• Proven experience in Mach number optimization, internal nozzle flow, and choked flow physics.
• Experience building and troubleshooting fluidic or pneumatic hardware (high-velocity gas jets, Laval nozzles, precision sprayers, or powder dispersers).
• Understanding of droplet dynamics and breakup regimes and nanoparticle deagglomeration.
• Strong CAD proficiency (SolidWorks, Fusion 360) and hands-on hardware prototyping including CNC machining.

Responsibilities

• High-Velocity Nozzle Design: design, machine, and test Laval nozzles for liquid filament breakup and high-shear deagglomeration.
• Multiphase Dispersion: develop systems for dispersion of liquid aerosols and dry-powder seeds using high-velocity gas streams.
• Hardware Prototyping: build dry-powder micro-feeders, liquid delivery architectures, and aerosol generators; utilize high-pressure gas systems.
• Fluid/Mechanical Architecture: develop routing systems (valves, regulators, micro-channels) for choked flow and stable supersonic jets.
• UAS Integration: adapt benchtop concepts into lightweight payloads for flight with vibrations and high shear.
• Rapid Iteration: collaborate to evaluate performance and iterate nozzle geometries based on data.

Skills

Fluid dynamics

Multiphase flow

Mach number optimization

Nozzle design

Droplet dynamics

CAD proficiency

CNC machining

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Mechanical/Chemical Engineering or related

Tools

SolidWorks

Fusion 360

CNC machining tools

Job description

Rainmaker is seeking a highly hands-on Mechanical/Aerospace Research Engineer with deep expertise in aerosol science, multiphase flow, and compressible fluid dynamics.

In this role, you will bridge the gap between cloud physics and high-performance fluid systems, designing hardware that utilizes high-velocity gas dynamics to both fragment nanoparticle agglomerates and atomize liquid precursors into submicron aerosols.