Space Fluids Analyst — Propulsion CFD & Models

Socket.dev; Kent (WA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

10 holidays per year

Paid parental leave

Relocation assistance

Lunch in office

Job summary

Cowboy Space Corp. is seeking a Fluids Analyst to own the full lifecycle of fluids predictions, from early models to flight-ready predictions. You will build 1D fluid networks and CFD analyses to predict pressure drop, flow, and thermal performance, and correlate results with test and flight data.

The role requires hands-on analysis, collaboration with fluids design, propulsion, thermal, and test operations, and a commitment to repeatable methods and clear documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience performing fluid system analysis for flight vehicles, propulsion systems, or other high‑performance hardware.
• Strong fundamentals in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer, including compressible flow, two‑phase flow, and transient system behavior.
• Experience building 1D fluid network or transient system models with tools such as Flownex, AFT, EASY5, GFSSP, Simulink, or equivalent in‑house codes.
• Hands‑on experience with CFD (ANSYS Fluent, STAR‑CCM+, or OpenFOAM) for internal flow problems.
• Proficiency with Python (NumPy, pandas) or MATLAB for model development, data reduction, and automation of analysis workflows.
• Experience reducing and interpreting real test data, including correlating predictions against measurements.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national or eligible for U.S. work authorization.

Responsibilities

• Own the full lifecycle of fluids prediction and data for the team—from first‑order sizing models to flight‑ready, test‑anchored models.
• Build and maintain 1D fluid network and transient models to predict pressure drop, flow capability, and thermal performance.
• Perform early‑phase simulation and trade studies to inform architecture selection and component sizing.
• Predict flow capability and pressure budgets across the system including losses and cavitation margins.
• Analyze transient behavior such as water hammer and valve sequencing.
• Perform CFD analysis of valves, manifolds, and internal-flow components to resolve loss coefficients and local behavior.
• Define instrumentation and measurement requirements to validate models.
• Support component‑level and system‑level test campaigns with analysis-driven objectives and predictions.
• Own reduction and analytics of fluids test data and quantify uncertainty.
• Correlate models against test/flight data and drive updates to improve predictive accuracy.
• Establish and maintain analysis methods, model libraries, and validation standards.
• Perform anomaly investigation and root cause analysis using test and flight data.
• Balance model fidelity against schedule and decide when hand calculations suffice.
• Communicate results clearly to designers, test engineers, and leadership with reviewed documentation.

Skills

Fluid mechanics

Thermodynamics

Heat transfer

Compressible flow

Two-phase flow

Transient system behavior

Modeling and data reduction

Python or MATLAB

Uncertainty quantification

Communication of results

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace/Chemical Engineering

Tools

Flownex

AFT (Fathom/Arrow/Impulse)

EASY5

GFSSP

Simulink

OpenFOAM

ANSYS Fluent

STAR-CCM+

Job description

Cowboy Space Corp. is seeking a Fluids Analyst to own the full lifecycle of fluids predictions, from early models to flight-ready predictions. You will build 1D fluid networks and CFD analyses to predict pressure drop, flow, and thermal performance, and correlate results with test and flight data.

The role requires hands-on analysis, collaboration with fluids design, propulsion, thermal, and test operations, and a commitment to repeatable methods and clear documentation.