Senior Aerodynamics Engineer – Supersonic Vehicles

Approach Venture LLC; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Approach Venture LLC in El Segundo, CA, seeks a Senior Aerodynamics Engineer to own the aero design and the aerodynamic database for a supersonic interceptor. You will shape external configuration, build the aero database for flight simulation, and run analyses predicting flight behavior.

You will work with the founders and with GNC, propulsion, and mechanical teams from concept through wind tunnel tests and flight validation, delivering results for government customers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering (master’s or PhD preferred).
• 5+ years of applied aerodynamics on flight vehicles.
• Experience building aerodynamic databases for flight simulation.
• Strong command of supersonic aerodynamics and stability and control.
• Python or MATLAB proficiency for analysis, data reduction, and automation.
• Hands-on CFD experience with tools such as Star-CCM+, Fluent, FUN3D, or Cart3D.
• Experience with engineering-level prediction tools such as Missile DATCOM.
• U.S. Person status required (ITAR) and ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Own the outer mold line with the mechanical team, balancing drag, stability, maneuverability, and internal volume.
• Size control surfaces and fins to deliver the control authority across the flight envelope.
• Run configuration trade studies on body shape, nose shape, and control surface layout.
• Build the aerodynamic database of coefficients across Mach, AoA, sideslip, and deflection.
• Deliver the database in a format the 6DOF simulation consumes directly, under version control.
• Quantify database uncertainty to support Monte Carlo analysis.
• Plan and run wind tunnel tests with facility coordination and data reduction.
• Correlate the database to wind tunnel and flight data, and support flight tests with predictions.

Skills

5+ years aerodynamics

Aerodynamics database experience

Supersonic aerodynamics

Stability and control

Python

MATLAB

CFD proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering

Tools

Star-CCM+

Fluent

FUN3D

Cart3D

Missile DATCOM

Job description

Senior Aerodynamics Engineer – Own the aero design and aerodynamic database for a supersonic interceptor

El Segundo, California | On-site

Opportunity Summary

This role owns the aerodynamics of the interceptor. You will shape the external configuration, build and maintain the aerodynamic database the flight simulation depends on, and run the analyses that predict how the vehicle will fly. You will report to company leadership.

The vehicle must maneuver aggressively at supersonic speed while fitting within the size limits of existing launch systems. Working directly with the founders and with mechanical, GNC, and propulsion engineers, you will take the aero design from first concept through wind tunnel test and flight, then use flight data to sharpen your models.

About Us

We are a seed-stage, venture-backed defense technology company building affordable, modular interceptors for air and missile defense, with surface-launched and space-based platforms in development. The team has already demonstrated autonomous intercepts and is moving quickly from prototype hardware into flight testing from our South Bay facility. We are a small group of engineers and operators who design, build, and test in-house, with a clear path toward scaled production for government customers.

Job Duties

• Own the outer mold line with the mechanical team, balancing drag, stability, maneuverability, and internal volume
• Size control surfaces and fins to deliver the control authority GNC needs across the flight envelope
• Run configuration trade studies on body shape, nose shape, and control surface layout
• Build the aerodynamic database of force and moment coefficients across Mach, angle of attack, sideslip, and control deflection, including damping derivatives
• Deliver the database in a format the 6DOF simulation consumes directly, and keep it under version control
• Quantify database uncertainty to support meaningful Monte Carlo analysis
• Use engineering-level tools such as Missile DATCOM for fast trades and CFD for detailed analysis
• Analyze stability, control effectiveness, and transonic and supersonic behavior
• Estimate aerodynamic heating and distributed loads for mechanical and thermal design
• Model plume and other propulsion-aero interactions with the propulsion team
• Plan and run wind tunnel tests, including facility coordination, test matrices, and data reduction
• Correlate the database to wind tunnel and flight data, and support flight tests with predictions and trajectory reconstruction

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering or a related field (master’s or PhD preferred)
• 5+ years of applied aerodynamics on flight vehicles
• Experience building aerodynamic databases for flight simulation
• Strong command of supersonic aerodynamics and stability and control
• Hands-on CFD experience with tools such as Star-CCM+, Fluent, FUN3D, or Cart3D
• Experience with engineering-level prediction tools such as Missile DATCOM
• Python or MATLAB proficiency for analysis, data reduction, and automation
• U.S. Person status required (ITAR) and ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance

Preferred Experience

• Aerodynamics for missiles, interceptors, rockets, or other high-speed vehicles
• Wind tunnel test planning and execution
• Aerothermal analysis or high-speed heating prediction
• Correlation with flight test data or trajectory reconstruction
• Familiarity with 6DOF simulation and how GNC consumes aero data
• OML design within packaging and launcher constraints
• Prior early-stage startup experience

Why Join Us

• Sole owner of vehicle aerodynamics from concept to flight
• See your predictions validated in wind tunnel and flight test
• Influence the overall vehicle configuration
• Direct collaboration with the founders, GNC, propulsion, and mechanical teams
• Early equity in a seed-stage company with a rapidly growing team
• Mission with direct national security impact

Compensation Details

$140,000 – $180,000 + equity