Varda Space

Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics Engineer II

El Segundo, California, United States · Mid

No sponsorship$120k-$153kDetected 18 days ago

PythonMATLABCybersecurityCFDAvionicsMechanical DesignLeadershipCommunicationFiber Optics

About the role

Varda is seeking an Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics Engineer to support operation of Varda's current vehicles and the development of Varda's next reentry vehicle - from rarefied entry, to hypersonic maneuvering, and subsonic terminal approach.
Exposure to 6DOF flight dynamics modeling, and experience developing flight rules is strongly preferred.
The ideal candidate should have been involved in the aerodynamic development of a currently flying vehicle from cradle to grave.

Responsibilities

Own the aerodynamic and aeroheating database development across the full flight envelope, from free-molecular rarefied entry through hypersonic maneuvering to subsonic terminal approach, serving as the authoritative aeroscience input to GNC, TPS sizing, and mission analysis
build structured and unstructured meshes in Pointwise
Characterize static and dynamic stability, develop 6DOF simulation inputs, and contribute to flight rules and vehicle-level performance models
Synthesize aerodynamic evidence from CFD, wind tunnel, and flight telemetry into a coherent, traceable database that supports GNC, TPS sizing, and mission analysis
Lead post-flight aerodynamic reconstruction and performance assessments
identify where preflight predictions diverged from reality and drive model updates that make the next mission sharper
Collaborate across disciplines: GNC, structures, TPS, and mission planning, to deliver flight-ready aeroscience products and serve as the aerodynamics voice in every cross-discipline design discussion
Run high-fidelity CFD and DSMC simulations of hypersonic and subsonic flows using tools such as Fun3D, LAURA, DPLR, US3D, SPARTA, DAC, and CBAero; build structured and unstructured meshes in Pointwise
Lead post-flight aerodynamic reconstruction and performance assessments; identify where preflight predictions diverged from reality and drive model updates that make the next mission sharper
GNC, structures, TPS, and mission planning, to deliver flight-ready aeroscience products and serve as the aerodynamics voice in every cross-discipline design discussion

Requirements

BS degree in engineering or physics and 3+ years of relevant industry experience, or a relevant PhD and 1+ years of relevant industry experience
Meaningful contribution to the aerodynamic development of a hypersonic vehicle that has flown, or is on track to fly within the next 5 years
Experience analyzing aerodynamic data from test, CFD, flight, and other sources and documenting findings rigorously
Experience running CFD and DSMC simulations of hypersonic and subsonic flows (Fun3D, LAURA, DPLR, US3D, SPARTA, DAC, CBAero)
Proficiency in MATLAB or Python
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a demonstrated ability to translate complex aeroscience findings for cross-disciplinary audiences
U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
Advanced degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, specializing in aerodynamics or fluid mechanics
Familiarity with modeling vehicle dynamics in POST2 or similar 6DOF tools
Experience sizing ablative or non-ablative TPS

Nice to have

Low Earth orbit is open for business.
Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules.
From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space.
Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley.
Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested.
Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.
The candidate must have experience running high speed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and supporting wind tunnel campaigns.

Compensation

This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA
Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
Eng II: $119,543- $152,749/per year
Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance
Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up
$20/pay period cell phone reimbursement

Benefits

Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays
100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
$120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for CA mothers)
Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic
Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents
Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up
401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
$20/pay period cell phone reimbursement

Visa & Work Authorization

Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items.

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This listing is sourced directly from Varda Space's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.