CFD Engineer

Stratolaunch; Mojave (CA); Hybrid; USD 101,079 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Job summary

Stratolaunch is seeking a CFD Engineer to join our hypersonic design team in a role spanning conceptual to detailed design. You will focus on advanced CFD analyses, aerothermal modeling, and developing analytical tools to support design trade studies and flight test efforts.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in aerodynamics and aerothermal analysis, with experience modeling complex flow interactions across subsonic to hypersonic regimes. Remote/hybrid/onsite options are available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 2+ years (Level II) or 5+ years (Senior) of relevant engineering experience.
• Proficiency in CFD meshing techniques with Pointwise, ANSA, or Link3D.
• Strong foundation in aerodynamics, aerothermal dynamics, and flight mechanics.
• Proficiency with at least one major CFD solver (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.
• Willing to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Conduct advanced CFD analyses of captive carry and hypersonic vehicles.
• Predict high‑speed, high‑enthalpy flows for aero and aerothermal performance.
• Develop and validate large CFD databases for multiple configurations.
• Integrate analytical, numerical, wind tunnel and flight test data.
• Support trajectory analysis and optimization for current/future vehicles.
• Develop CFD automation tools to assist the team.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to inform vehicle design.
• Support proposals and technical presentations to government/industry partners.

Skills

CFD meshing tools

Aerodynamics

Aerothermal dynamics

Flight mechanics

Scripting: Python/MATLAB

CFD solvers: US3D/Fun3D/StarCCM+

Independent work

Education

B.S. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Pointwise

ANSA

Link3D

Siemens NX

Job description

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

Stratolaunch is a technology accelerator that engineers operationally realistic testing at Mach 5+. Our air‑launched, Talon testbeds are reusable, cost‑effective platforms that enable routine access to the hypersonic environment. We deliver flight data critical to validating system performance and achieving rapid technology deployment. Together with our customers, we drive innovations that are imperative to advancing national security.

To support these efforts, Stratolaunch is seeking a CFD Engineer to join our advanced hypersonic design team. In this role, you will support the conceptual and detailed design of current and future Stratolaunch hypersonic vehicles, focusing on advanced CFD analyses, aerodynamic and aerothermal modeling, and the development of analytical tools. Responsibilities include contributing to design trade studies, detailed analyses, tool development, and flight test support. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in aerodynamics and aerothermal analysis, with hands‑on experience modeling complex flow interactions across the subsonic to hypersonic flight regimes.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct advanced CFD analyses of captive carry and hypersonic vehicles, with emphasis on:
• High‑speed, high‑enthalpy flows (Mach 5+) aero and aerothermal predictions
• Develop, manage, and validate large CFD databases for a variety of vehicle configurations using CFD 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 as required to validate CFD models
• Develop and maintain CFD automation tools to support the team
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members to integrate CFD results into broader vehicle design and performance analyses
• Support business proposals and technical presentations to government and industry partners

QUALIFICATIONS

• Required:
• Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• 2+ years (Level II) or 5+ years (Senior) of relevant engineering experience, or an equivalent combination of industry experience and applied graduate work
• Proficiency in CFD meshing techniques using tools such as Pointwise, ANSA, or Link3D to generate high‑quality meshes for complex geometries
• Strong foundation in aerodynamics, aerothermal dynamics, and flight mechanics
• 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
• Willing and able to obtain and maintain a security clearance
• Preferred:
• Experience with hypersonic aerodynamic theory and analysis
• Demonstrated expertise in CFD for subsonic, transonic, or hypersonic flows
• Experience in 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 software tools – preferred: Siemens NX
• Active security clearance

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Level II (B.S. + 2–5 years of experience): Salary range $101,079–$146,500
• Senior Level (B.S. + 5–10 years of experience): Salary range $120,500–$158,000

WORK LOCATION & TRAVEL

While Stratolaunch is headquartered in Mojave, CA, this position offers flexibility in work location. Remote, hybrid, and on‑site arrangements are all available based on candidate preference and business needs.

Travel, as needed, to support the department: estimated <5 %.

BENEFITS

• Paid maternity and parental leave
• 50 % company match per contributed dollar into 401(k) savings plan, up to $11,500

EQUITY & EEO STATEMENT

Stratolaunch is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at our company. We encourage people from all walks of life to apply, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. Our management team does not tolerate discrimination or harassment at any point during our employees’ and applicants’ time with us, especially with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment during employment. For purposes of transparency, U.S. Citizenship may be required for some positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.