Aerodynamic Environments Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.

Job Summary 

The Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, and test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; orbital mechanics; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments.  

The Aerodynamic Environments Section within the Fluid Mechanics Department provides design and analysis support for aerodynamic environments of space, launch, and reentry vehicles.  As an Aerodynamic Environments Engineer, you will work with both internal and external customers participating as a technical authority on aerodynamic and fluid mechanics topics. 

Work Model

This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA, offering a hybrid work model that combines regular onsite work and remote flexibility as the business needs allow.  

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Conduct analyses, modeling, planning and reviewing functions associated with aerodynamic environments pertaining to space, launch, and reentry vehicles 

• Analyze and assess steady and transient internal and external flows ranging from subsonic to hypersonic regimes 

• Develop new modeling and analysis tools, as needed 

• Participate in multi-disciplinary engineering teams to resolve technical issues 

• Support on-site and off-site technical interchange meetings, review of contractor analyses, wind tunnel testing, and mission assurance reviews 

• Work closely with program offices and interface with contractors, government personnel, research laboratories, and academia 

This position is available as a Member of Technical Staff or Senior Member of Technical Staff 

What You Need to be Successful  

Minimum Requirements: 

Member of Technical Staff 

• Masters degree in aerospace, aeronautical, or mechanical engineering is required

• 2 or more years of applicable professional industry experience is required 

• Maintain technical currency and stay abreast of advances in aerodynamics and fluid mechanics technologies related to space, launch, and reentry vehicles 

• Demonstrated use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques 

• Willingness to occasionally travel to support customer needs, approximately 5% (as required) 

• 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. 

• Transcripts are required for candidates with (5) or less years of professional industry experience, post-graduation from Bachelor’s/Masters/PhD degree. Please be sure to upload both Undergrad and Graduate transcripts.

Senior Member of Technical Staff 

Same requirements as Member of Technical Staff noted above, in addition to: 

• 5 or more years of applicable professional industry experience is required 

How You Can Stand Out  

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these: 

Member of Technical Staff or Senior Member of Technical Staff 

• PhD in aerospace, aeronautical, or mechanical engineering is strongly preferred

• 8 or more years of applicable professional industry experience is highly desirable 

• Graduate-level coursework in incompressible flows, compressible flows, aerodynamics, thermodynamics, computational fluid dynamics 

• Work effectively both independently and with teams 

• Experience in analyzing aerodynamic flight and/or experimental data