CFD Aerodynamicist – Hypersonic Vehicles

Aurex; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 118,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurex in Huntsville, AL is seeking a CFD Aerodynamicist with extensive experience performing advanced CFD analyses for hypersonic vehicles. You will determine lift, drag, center of pressure, and stability characteristics, and perform aero-thermal coupling to generate aeroheating environments.

Working with multidisciplinary teams, you will develop high-fidelity CFD models, validate results, and deliver actionable aerodynamic data to support vehicle design and control systems.

Qualifications

• Work in person at our corporate headquarters in Huntsville, AL.
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field with relevant industry experience
• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a relevant field with experience applying knowledge to real‑world systems
• 5+ years of industry experience in CFD analysis for aerospace vehicles
• Hands‑on experience with CFD software such as ANSYS Fluent, CFX, STAR‑CCM+, OpenFOAM, FUN3D, OVERFLOW, or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of hypersonic aerodynamics, compressible flow, shock interactions, and aero‑thermal coupling.
• Experience determining lift, drag, center of pressure, and stability characteristics from CFD results.
• Proficiency with CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, NX, or similar) for geometry preparation and meshing.
• Ability to analyze and communicate complex simulation results to technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills to collaborate with multidisciplinary aerospace teams.

Responsibilities

• Perform high-fidelity CFD analyses to determine lift, drag, center of pressure, stability derivatives, and overall aerodynamic performance of hypersonic vehicles.
• Generate and deliver aerodynamic databases, force/moment coefficients, center-of- pressure data, and stability derivatives to support GNC algorithm development, 6-DOF simulation, and flight control design.
• Conduct coupled aero-thermal simulations to generate aeroheating environments and support thermal protection system design.
• Develop and execute CFD models including geometry preparation, mesh generation, boundary condition definition, turbulence modeling, and solver setup for hypersonic flow regimes.
• Collaborate closely with the Thermal Analyst Engineer to integrate aeroheating results into thermal and material response models.
• Validate CFD results against experimental, wind tunnel, or flight test data.
• Support design trades and optimization studies for aerodynamic performance, stability, and thermal loads.
• Document simulation methodologies, results, and engineering recommendations in clear technical reports.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams (aerodynamics, thermal, structures, and GNC) to ensure accurate aerodynamic and aero-thermal data supports vehicle development.

Skills

CFD analysis

Hypersonic aerodynamics

Communication skills

Teamwork

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

ANSYS Fluent

CFX

STAR-CCM+

OpenFOAM

FUN3D

OVERFLOW

Job description

Don't Wait for the Future. Build it Here.

We seek the curious, the brilliant, and the relentless. If you’re driven to solve complex problems, operate at the edge of technology, and make systems smarter, faster, and safer, you’ll find a home here. Advance your career in a company that builds for what's next.

Culture of Excellence

Grit, Growth, and Great People

We’re a team of high performers who don’t settle. Our culture rewards curiosity, integrity, and results—without the ego. You’ll be surrounded by people who challenge you, support you, and celebrate your wins. We work hard, solve big problems, and have each other’s backs.

More Than a Paycheck

We believe exceptional work deserves exceptional rewards. Our total compensation goes beyond base pay to include robust benefits, performance incentives, and investment in your future. From health and retirement to career development and time off—you’ll have what you need to thrive, in and out of the office.

Growth Without Limits

Start Strong. Keep Climbing.

From entry-level engineers to mission program leads, we create space for every employee to thrive. Our work is complex, our standards are high, and our support systems are built to help you rise—wherever you're starting from.

People at Aurex

"I enjoy working at Aurex for the innovative environment and strong focus on work-life balance… The company values creativity, supports professional growth, and fosters collaboration. I feel empowered to make a difference, both through meaningful projects and through volunteering in my community."

People at Aurex

"I love being part of the platform because it offers the resources and opportunities of a larger company while maintaining a tight-knit, small company culture. What motivates me most is the environment it creates, one that supports me in growing professionally, academically, and personally."

jacob Ballentine
Junior Reverse Engineer

People at Aurex

"What I love about working with Aurex is that I always feel valued and appreciated, and that work never goes unrecognized … Another thing I love is that, though small, Aurex offers tremendous expertise in various fields … Finally, the diversity of projects and partners means … many different opportunities—you will be helping to create history."

Nathaniel DeCecco

Mechanical Engineer

People at Aurex

"What I like most about the company is the strong sense of community… It truly feels like a place where I belong. I’m motivated by the chance to grow, learn, and take on new challenges… Being part of a passionate, driven team makes every day rewarding."

People at Aurex

"I appreciate that our company focuses on growth and innovation in aerospace… I’m motivated by solving complex challenges and building reliable software for launch operations. It’s rewarding to know our voice system is used by the government and major contractors—making a real impact. What a dream!"

Astrid Leighton
Software Engineer

CFD Aerodynamicist – Hypersonic Vehicles

CFD Aerodynamicist – Hypersonic Vehicles
Huntsville, AL

Who We Are

Aurex is a mission-focused aerospace and defense company building the next frontier of deterrence. From hypersonics and missile defense to hardened networks and orbital systems, we design, test, and deliver the platforms that turn unproven ideas into battlefield-ready capability.

Born in Huntsville and built for speed, Aurex brings together aerospace veterans, combat-tested operators, and forward-leaning technologists to solve problems that matter—fast. We move from whiteboard to warfighter with precision, clarity, and zero tolerance for fluff.

Job Summary

We are looking for a CFD Aerodynamicist with extensive experience performing advanced computational fluid dynamics analysis for hypersonic vehicles. The ideal candidate will use CFD to determine lift, drag, center of pressure, and stability characteristics of aerospace vehicles, and will perform coupled aero-thermal analysis to generate aeroheating environments. Proficiency with industry-standard CFD tools is required, with a primary focus on high-fidelity hypersonic flow simulation, aero-thermal coupling, and delivering actionable aerodynamic data.

Job Responsibilities

• Perform high-fidelity CFD analyses to determine lift, drag, center of pressure, stability derivatives, and overall aerodynamic performance of hypersonic vehicles.
• Generate and deliver aerodynamic databases, force/moment coefficients, center-of- pressure data, and stability derivatives to support GNC algorithm development, 6-DOF simulation, and flight control design.
• Conduct coupled aero-thermal simulations to generate aeroheating environments and support thermal protection system design.
• Develop and execute CFD models including geometry preparation, mesh generation, boundary condition definition, turbulence modeling, and solver setup for hypersonic flow regimes.
• Collaborate closely with the Thermal Analyst Engineer to integrate aeroheating results into thermal and material response models.
• Validate CFD results against experimental, wind tunnel, or flight test data.
• Support design trades and optimization studies for aerodynamic performance, stability, and thermal loads.
• Document simulation methodologies, results, and engineering recommendations in clear technical reports.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams (aerodynamics, thermal, structures, and GNC) to ensure accurate aerodynamic and aero-thermal data supports vehicle development.

Basic Qualifications

• Work in person at our corporate headquarters in Huntsville, AL.
• One of the following:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field with relevant industry experience
  • Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a relevant field with experience applying knowledge to real‑world systems
• 5+ years of industry experience in CFD analysis for aerospace vehicles, preferably including high-speed or hypersonic applications.
• Hands‑on experience with CFD software such as ANSYS Fluent, CFX, STAR‑CCM+, OpenFOAM, FUN3D, OVERFLOW, or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of hypersonic aerodynamics, compressible flow, shock interactions, and aero‑thermal coupling.
• Experience determining lift, drag, center of pressure, and stability characteristics from CFD results.
• Proficiency with CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, NX, or similar) for geometry preparation and meshing.
• Ability to analyze and communicate complex simulation results to technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills to collaborate with multidisciplinary aerospace teams.

Preferred qualifications

• Direct experience with hypersonic or high‑Mach‑number CFD, including real‑gas effects and high‑enthalpy flows.
• Experience generating aeroheating databases for thermal protection system analysis.
• Familiarity with high‑performance computing (HPC) environments for large‑scale CFD simulations.
• Experience validating CFD models against wind tunnel or flight test data.
• Knowledge of coupled aero‑structural or aero‑thermal‑structural analysis.
• Familiarity with additional hypersonic CFD tools such as US3D, CFD++, Kestrel, or LAURA.

How You Will Be Rewarded

The salary range for this role is 118,000 – 140,000 . We offer a comprehensive total rewards approach to compensation, providing incentives and benefits that extend far beyond the base salary. Compensation is determined by the candidate’s work experience, education, training, and relevant skills. We offer a competitive benefits package designed to support our employees' health, well-being, and professional growth.

Aurex is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It prohibits discrimination, retaliation, or any type of harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, citizenship, immigration status, or any other legally protected status in employment, including in hiring, firing, and recruiting decisions. All applicants must be authorized to work lawfully in the United States for positions at Aurex. There may be limited circumstances in which a law, regulation, executive order, or government contract would require certain citizenship; only in those limited circumstances would Aurex require certain citizenship status to comply with the relevant law, regulation, executive order, or government contract applicable to that position. For all other positions, Aurex does not consider an applicant’s citizenship but only requires that the applicant be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. If a position is one that falls under export control laws and regulations requiring authorization from the U.S. government to access export‑controlled items, any hiring is contingent on the applicant passing the export compliance assessment, which is separate from the I‑9 process, for that specific position. A background check will be required prior to any hire.

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