Lead Aerothermal Analysis Engineer – Launch & Re-entry

Cowboy Space Corporation; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Cowboy Space Corp. is seeking an Aerothermal Analysis Engineer to lead aeroheating predictions for our launch vehicle during ascent and re-entry. You’ll define external surface heating environments, drive boundary conditions for TPS, and develop the aeroheating database used by design teams.

The role focuses on high-speed, high-temperature flows with CFD tools and integration across aero, structures, and propulsion teams. Location options include Seattle, WA or HQ in San Carlos, CA.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Environment Definition: Generate high-fidelity aeroheating environments for ascent and re-entry trajectories.
• CFD Modeling & Simulation: Set up and post-process viscous CFD simulations for heating and pressure.
• TPS Sizing & Margin: Collaborate to translate aeroheating into material sizing and margins.
• Aerothermal Database Management: Develop and version-control aeroheating databases.
• Test Planning & Correlation: Define ground-test requirements and compare with models.
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Coordinate with multiple engineering teams on aeroheating constraints.
• Documentation & Reporting: Produce technical reports and design review packages.

Skills

Aeroheating analysis

Hypersonic aerodynamics

Boundary layer physics

Heat transfer

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering

Master’s or PhD in Aerospace Engineering (preferred)

Tools

MINIVER

UNLATCH

DPLR

LAURA

US3D

Job description

Cowboy Space Corp. is seeking an Aerothermal Analysis Engineer to lead aeroheating predictions for our launch vehicle during ascent and re-entry. You’ll define external surface heating environments, drive boundary conditions for TPS, and develop the aeroheating database used by design teams.

The role focuses on high-speed, high-temperature flows with CFD tools and integration across aero, structures, and propulsion teams. Location options include Seattle, WA or HQ in San Carlos, CA.