Senior Propulsion and Energetics Analyst (Fluids)

Kindredventures; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 137,000 - 193,000; Full time

Job summary

Inversion seeks a Senior Propulsion and Energetics Analyst to push propulsion systems toward test-ready concepts. You will build CFD toolboxes and work with design engineers to optimize performance in on-orbit and upper-atmosphere environments.

The role requires deep CFD experience with StarCCM/CFX/OpenFOAM, collaboration across teams, and clear communication of complex results in a fast-paced startup setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering
• 5+ years in fluid analysis of rocket systems
• Proficient in CFD workflow (mesh, setup, converge, post-processing)
• Familiar with StarCCM, CFX, Fluent, COMSOL, or OpenFOAM
• Ability to communicate complex results to stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Perform and document fluid and thermal analysis of bipropellant rocket engines, tanks, components, feed systems, and heat exchanges
• Lead analytical modeling of liquid-gas interactions in injector spray to predict atomization, mixing, and thermal non-equilibrium
• Develop analysis program to mature analysis confidence in parallel with hardware maturity
• Size and analyze flow restrictors, flow controllers, PMDs, baffles
• Work collaboratively with design and test engineers to plan testing that validates key analysis assumptions
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to peers

Skills

Clear communication

Security clearance readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Masters/PhD (preferred)

Tools

StarCCM

CFX

Fluent

COMSOL

OpenFOAM

Job description

Turning Space into a Transportation Layer for Earth

Who We Are:

Inversion builds advanced reentry systems to deliver next-generation capabilities from space.

Our mission is to make Earth radically more accessible by turning Low-Earth Orbit into an on-demand logistics domain. We see space not as a destination, but as a platform — one that unlocks unprecedented speed and global reach.

Our spacecraft are designed to deliver payloads anywhere on Earth in under an hour, operating through extreme reentry conditions and landing with high precision. These systems open the door to new ways of testing, delivering, and operating at hypersonic speeds.

Inherently dual-use, our technology is built to meet urgent national security needs while laying the groundwork for future commercial applications. Backed by leading investors including Y Combinator, Spark Capital, and Lockheed Martin Ventures, and working with partners such as the U.S. Space Force and NASA, Inversion is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space-based defense and logistics.

Position Overview:

The Propulsion and Energetics team create the hardware that facilitates high maneuverability on-orbit and in the upper atmosphere. As a Senior Propulsion and Energetics Analyst, you will be responsible for building out the simulation toolboxes that push Inversion’s propulsion systems to the next level.

You will work with design engineers to evaluate and improve the performance of propulsion and other high energy systems through analysis in tools like ANSYS CFX or Fluent, Sinda/Fluint, StarCCM, OpenFOAM, or COMSOL. The ideal candidate can work autonomously to build out an analysis program, works well in a fast-paced environment, can interface with many stakeholders, has great documentation and communication skills, has a great attitude, and has a passion for solving complex problems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform and document fluid and thermal analysis of bipropellant rocket engines, tanks, components, feed systems, and heat exchanges
• Lead analytical modeling of liquid-gas interactions in injector spray to predict atomization, mixing, and thermal non-equilibrium and interface with design engineers of results
• Develop analysis program to mature analysis confidence in parallel with hardware maturity to move design concept forward from early-stage to test-ready
• Size and analyze flow restrictors, flow controllers, PMDs, baffles
• Work collaboratively with design and test engineers to plan testing that validates key analysis assumptions
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to peers

Required Qualifications:

• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineer, or equivalent
• 5+ years of experience in fluid analysis of rocket engines, rocket stages, combustion devices, or similar
• Deeply proficient in all stages of the CFD workflow (mesh generation, setup, converge, post-processing, iteration, automation)
• Familiar with StarCCM, CFX, Fluent, COMSOL, or OpenFOAM
• Deep understanding of modeling liquid-gas interactions, multi-component and multi-phase flow, phase change, and conjugate heat transfer
• Demonstrated experience creating custom solvers for CFD simulations
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, start-up environment
• Able to communicate complex simulation results to a range of stakeholders

Desired Qualifications:

• Masters or Doctorate Degree in Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, or equivalent
• 8+ years of industry experience in fluid analysis of rocket engines, rocket stages, combustion devices, or similar
• Experience with customizing CFD solvers to capture complex physics
• Experience with end-to-end CFD simulation of high-temperature, multi-fluid, multi-phase, multi-domain problems
• Experience interpreting test data for validation and anchoring of CFD modeling methods
• Proficient in MATLAB or Python for creation of post-process automation and analysis tools
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Our office headquarters is located in Playa Vista, CA. This position requires in office presence.

The California annual base salary for this role is currently $137,000 - $193,000. Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education and experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.

ITAR Compliance:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Inversion provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or disability.

Inversion collects and processes personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws. If you are a US Job Applicant see the CCPA Privacy Policy Notice for further details.