Senior Aerodynamics Engineer — Reentry Data Architect

Inversionspace; California (MO); On-site; USD 137,000 - 193,000; Full time

Job summary

Inversion in Playa Vista, CA, seeks a Senior Aerodynamics Engineer to generate and manage aerodynamic databases for reentry vehicle simulations. You will integrate CFD data with lower-order methods to drive 3-DOF and 6-DOF simulations, while supporting design teams and refining models with wind tunnel data.

The role requires 5+ years of aerospace aerodynamics experience, proficiency in Python/MATLAB/C/C++, and the ability to obtain a U.S. government security clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years in aerodynamic analysis of aerospace vehicles including reentry or hypersonic.
• Experience with high-fidelity CFD for external flows (FUN3D, OVERFLOW, CART3D, US3D, Kestrel).
• Experience with panel codes and Newtonian/modified Newtonian aerodynamics.
• Experience with data aggregation into a database for simulations.
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, C++, or Fortran for tooling.
• On-site work at Inversion HQ, Playa Vista, CA; ability to obtain security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain aerodynamic databases across the full flight envelope.
• Predict aerodynamic forces and moments using CFD across flight envelopes.
• Apply lower-order methods to populate the broader envelope.
• Aggregate diverse data into coherent databases and define uncertainties for simulations.
• Support GNC, simulation, and mission design users.
• Build tooling and automation for database generation and delivery.
• Refine models with wind tunnel and flight data.

Skills

CFD analysis

Panel codes

Newtonian aerodynamics

Python

MATLAB

C++

Fortran

Data management

Uncertainty quantification

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Master's or PhD (desired)

Tools

FUN3D

OVERFLOW

CART3D

US3D

Job description

Inversion in Playa Vista, CA, seeks a Senior Aerodynamics Engineer to generate and manage aerodynamic databases for reentry vehicle simulations. You will integrate CFD data with lower-order methods to drive 3-DOF and 6-DOF simulations, while supporting design teams and refining models with wind tunnel data.

The role requires 5+ years of aerospace aerodynamics experience, proficiency in Python/MATLAB/C/C++, and the ability to obtain a U.S. government security clearance.