Lead Aerothermal Analysis Engineer – Hypersonic CFD & TPS

Cowboy Space; Seattle, San Carlos (WA, CA); On-site; CAD 167,000 - 251,000; Full time

Job summary

Cowboy Space Corporation seeks an Aerothermal Analysis Engineer to lead predictions of aerodynamic heating on our launch vehicle, from ascent to re-entry. You will drive boundary conditions for external structures and TPS sizing while coordinating with aero, structures, and propulsion teams.

The role requires strong aeroheating experience, CFD proficiency, and a track record of documenting results for design reviews. Location options include Seattle, WA or San Carlos HQ.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of aeroheating analysis experience for launch/re-entry/hypersonic systems.
• Proficiency with aeroheating tools (MINIVER, UNLATCH, or equivalent).
• Experience with viscous CFD solvers for high-speed, high-temperature flows (DPLR, LAURA, US3D, or equivalent).
• Strong understanding of hypersonic aerodynamics, boundary layer physics, and convective/radiative heat transfer.
• Demonstrated ability to develop aeroheating databases with uncertainties and margins.
• Experience supporting design reviews and authoring technical documentation.

Responsibilities

• Produce high-fidelity aerodynamic pressure and heating environments for ascent and re-entry trajectories.
• Set up and post-process CFD simulations to characterize heating rates and pressure distributions.
• Collaborate with TPS and structures teams for material sizing and margins.
• Develop aeroheating databases with uncertainty bands and design factors.
• Plan and correlate ground tests (arc-jet, wind-tunnel) with analyses.
• Coordinate with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure aeroheating constraints are captured in design.

Skills

Aerospace engineering

Aeroheating

CFD

Hypersonic physics

Design reviews

Uncertainty analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

MINIVER

UNLATCH

DPLR

LAURA

US3D

FIAT

CHAR

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Cowboy Space Corporation seeks an Aerothermal Analysis Engineer to lead predictions of aerodynamic heating on our launch vehicle, from ascent to re-entry. You will drive boundary conditions for external structures and TPS sizing while coordinating with aero, structures, and propulsion teams.

The role requires strong aeroheating experience, CFD proficiency, and a track record of documenting results for design reviews. Location options include Seattle, WA or San Carlos HQ.