Position Overview:

Inversion's reentry vehicles fly from orbital velocity to a precision landing, and every design decision, simulation, etc. along the way rests on an accurate characterization of how the vehicle flies. As a Senior Aerodynamics Engineer, you will generate and database the aerodynamic characteristics of our vehicles across the full flight envelope, aggregating data from high-fidelity CFD, lower-order methods, and wind tunnel testing into database products that drive system-level simulations. In this role, you will: 

• Develop and maintain aerodynamic force and moment databases spanning the full flight envelope, from hypersonic entry through terminal flight 
• Predict the aerodynamic forces and moments acting on Inversion reentry vehicles using high fidelity CFD tools across their flight envelopes. 
• Apply lower-order tools — panel codes, Newtonian aerodynamics, and handbook methods — to efficiently populate the broader envelope 
• Aggregate data of varying fidelity into coherent database products and define associated uncertainties to drive 3-DOF and 6-DOF system-level simulations 
• Support downstream users across GNC, simulation, and mission design in applying the databases correctly 
• Build and mature the tooling and automation behind database generation and delivery 
• Refine models using wind tunnel and flight-testing data 

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience 
• Typically, 5+ years of experience in aerodynamic analysis of aerospace vehicles (reentry, hypersonic, missile, launch, or high-performance aircraft systems) 
• Experience with high-fidelity CFD analysis of compressible external flows (e.g., FUN3D, OVERFLOW, CART3D, US3D, Kestrel, or similar) 
• Experience with lower-order aerodynamic prediction methods, such as panel codes and Newtonian/modified Newtonian aerodynamics 
• Experience with handbook methods and empirical aerodynamic correlations 
• Experience aggregating aerodynamic data from sources of varying fidelity into an overall database product used to drive vehicle simulation and design 
• Strong fundamentals in compressible aerodynamics across speed regimes and in vehicle static and dynamic stability 
• Proficiency in programming languages like Python, MATLAB, C++, or Fortran for analysis tooling and automation 
• Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, including prototyping and rapid iteration of new products 
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance. 

Desired Qualifications: 

• Master's or PhD in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, or an equivalent field 
• Experience with the aerodynamics of reentry, hypersonic, or lifting-body vehicles 
• Experience with uncertainty quantification and the definition of aerodynamic dispersions for Monte Carlo simulation 
• Experience reconciling aerodynamic models against flight test data, including aerodynamic parameter identification 
• Familiarity with Fidelity Pointwise, Link3D, or equivalent meshing software for generating high-quality meshes 
• Experience with high-performance computing environments and large-scale CFD campaign automation 
• Experience with wind tunnel testing, including test planning, execution, and/or data reduction 
• Familiarity with 6-DOF flight simulation as a downstream consumer of aerodynamic databases 
• Prior experience working in startups and/or small independent teams 

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.}