Senior Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics Engineer

Telemetry Today LLC; El Segundo, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 179,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Relocation support

Health insurance

401(k) match

Wellness reimbursement

Parental leave

One Medical membership

Cell phone reimbursement

EV charging

Job summary

Varda Space Industries is hiring a Senior Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics Engineer to support current vehicles and the next reentry vehicle development. You will run high-speed CFD simulations, develop flight rules, and lead wind tunnel campaigns.

The role requires shaping aeroscience inputs for GNC, TPS sizing, and mission analysis, with experience on a flying vehicle from cradle to grave. Strong collaboration across disciplines is essential in our El Segundo HQ.

Qualifications

• BS in engineering or physics; 6+ years in aero field; PhD alternative.
• Contributed to aerodynamic development of hypersonic vehicle that has flown or will fly within 5 years.
• Experience analyzing aerodynamic data from tests, CFD, flight; document findings.
• Experience running CFD/DSMC for hypersonic and subsonic flows (Fun3D, LAURA, DPLR, US3D, SPARTA, DAC, CBAero).
• Proficient in MATLAB or Python; capable of building meshes in Pointwise.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to translate complex aeroscience findings; eligible for security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Own the aerodynamic and aeroheating database across full flight envelope; serve as aeroscience input to GNC, TPS sizing, and mission analysis.
• Plan, execute, and reduce data from wind tunnel campaigns; reconcile ground test results with CFD predictions.
• Run high-fidelity CFD and DSMC simulations; build meshes in Pointwise.
• Characterize static and dynamic stability; develop 6DOF simulation inputs; contribute to flight rules and models.
• Synthesize aerodynamic evidence from CFD, wind tunnel, and flight telemetry into a traceable database.
• Lead post-flight aerodynamic reconstruction and performance assessments; drive model updates for future missions.
• Collaborate across GNC, structures, TPS, and mission planning; deliver flight-ready aeroscience products.

Skills

CFD/DSMC analysis

MATLAB

Python

6DOF flight dynamics knowledge

Strong communication skills

Security clearance eligibility

Wind tunnel data analysis

Education

BS degree in engineering or physics

PhD in a relevant field

Tools

Fun3D

LAURA

DPLR

US3D

SPARTA

DAC

CBAero

Pointwise

POST2

Job description

Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules.Varda’s W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.

From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.

Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.

Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.

Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.

About this Role

Varda is seeking an Senior Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics Engineer to support operation of Varda's current vehicles and the development of Varda's next reentry vehicle – from rarefied entry, to hypersonic maneuvering, and subsonic terminal approach. The candidate must have experience running high speed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and supporting wind tunnel campaigns. Exposure to 6DOF flight dynamics modeling, and experience developing flight rules is strongly preferred. The ideal candidate should have been involved in the aerodynamic development of a currently flying vehicle from cradle to grave.

Responsibilities

Own the aerodynamic and aeroheating database development across the full flight envelope, from free-molecular rarefied entry through hypersonic maneuvering to subsonic terminal approach, serving as the authoritative aeroscience input to GNC, TPS sizing, and mission analysis

• Plan, execute, and reduce data from wind tunnel campaigns; reconcile ground test results with CFD predictions and update vehicle databases with traceable, well-documented revisions
• Run high-fidelity CFD and DSMC simulations of hypersonic and subsonic flows using tools such as Fun3D, LAURA, DPLR, US3D, SPARTA, DAC, and CBAero; build structured and unstructured meshes in Pointwise
• Characterize static and dynamic stability, develop 6DOF simulation inputs, and contribute to flight rules and vehicle-level performance models
• Synthesize aerodynamic evidence from CFD, wind tunnel, and flight telemetry into a coherent, traceable database that supports GNC, TPS sizing, and mission analysis
• Lead post-flight aerodynamic reconstruction and performance assessments; identify where preflight predictions diverged from reality and drive model updates that make the next mission sharper
• Collaborate across disciplines: GNC, structures, TPS, and mission planning, to deliver flight-ready aeroscience products and serve as the aerodynamics voice in every cross-discipline design discussion

Basic Qualifications

• BS degree in engineering or physics and 6+ years of relevant industry experience, or a relevant PhD and 3+ years of relevant industry experience
• Meaningful contribution to the aerodynamic development of a hypersonic vehicle that has flown, or is on track to fly within the next 5 years
• Experience analyzing aerodynamic data from test, CFD, flight, and other sources and documenting findings rigorouslyExperience running CFD and DSMC simulations of hypersonic and subsonic flows (Fun3D, LAURA, DPLR, US3D, SPARTA, DAC, CBAero)
• Comfortable building structured and unstructured meshes in Pointwise
• Proficiency in MATLAB or Python
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a demonstrated ability to translate complex aeroscience findings for cross-disciplinary audiences
• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Advanced degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, specializing in aerodynamics or fluid mechanics
• Hands-on wind tunnel campaign experience, including test planning, execution, and data reduction
• Direct ownership of aerodynamic and aeroheating databases for a flying vehicle
• Familiarity with modeling vehicle dynamics in POST2 or similar 6DOF tools
• Experience sizing ablative or non-ablative TPS
• Experience with flight reconstruction and post-flight performance evaluations
• Technical breadth in adjacent disciplines (GNC, avionics, software, structures)

Pay Range

• Salary Range:Senior: $140,333- $179,314/per year
• Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
• You will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards

Consider your benefits covered for launch. At Varda, we invest in benefits and perks that support your health, financial well-being, and life beyond work. Benefits vary by position, with packages designed specifically for our regular full-time employees and interns.

Regular Full-Time Positions:

• Flexible PTO policy +12 paid holidays
• 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
• Voluntaryaccident, hospital, critical illness,andpet insurance
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
• 12weeks ofparental leave(with supplemental disability leavefor CAmothers)
• SponsoredOne Medicalmemberships for employees and their dependents
• Substantial incentive equityin a fully funded space start-up
• 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediatelyvested)
• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Relocation supportfor new hires, if needed

Workplace Experience & Perks

• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
• Company and team-bonding events, happyhoursand mission-success celebrations
• Complimentary EV charging

Intern Positions:

• 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
• Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents
• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Up to $4,000gross up in relocation support, ifeligible
• Up to $850commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible

Workplace Experience & Perks

• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
• Company and team-bonding events, happyhoursand mission-success celebrations
• Complimentary EV charging

Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our policy is to only hire “U.S. persons” who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.
“US person” means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum).

E-Verify Statement

Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.