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Senior Aerodynamics Engineer

Astro Mechanica

Astro Mechanica

Other Engineering
Denver, CO, USA
Posted on Jul 8, 2025

ABOUT US:

Astro Mechanica is reinventing supersonic aircraft by innovating on engine, airframe, and systems that industry hasn’t in over 50 years. Our electric combined cycle engine, Duality, is the world’s first jet engine that's engineered for efficiency from takeoff to Mach 3+. This new propulsion technology enables the delivery of people and payloads anywhere on Earth in just hours, laying the foundation for a new operational paradigm: an affordable point-to-point global travel network that will make on-demand, high-speed air transport the new standard of travel.

WHO WE ARE:

We're a team of hardcore engineers who live and breathe aerospace. We’re generalists who each have subject matter expertise and operate in a flat organizational structure. We move fast and build world-changing technology in a pragmatic and competent workplace culture.

WHO YOU ARE:

Astro Mechanica is seeking a Principal Aerodynamics Engineer to join our growing team. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of aerodynamic principles and excels in leading the design and analysis of aircraft across various flight regimes. Your expertise will directly influence the performance and efficiency of our advanced aircraft.

In this role, you will spearhead the design process from initial concept through to flight, ensuring that the aircraft meets rigorous performance and quality standards. You will lead aircraft configuration development through the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), advanced optimization techniques that you developed, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to refine concepts and conduct trade studies. Your leadership will be pivotal in mentoring a highly skilled flight sciences team and driving innovation in vehicle performance.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

  • Lead the design and analysis of aircraft aerodynamics across subsonic, transonic, and supersonic flight regimes

  • Conduct computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis using multiple solvers, including gridding and post-processing methods

  • Develop and apply advanced optimization techniques to enhance aerodynamic performance

  • Create and utilize parametric geometry models for design and analysis purposes

  • Support the design, fabrication, testing, and data analysis of wind tunnel models

  • Work closely with cross-functional teams to refine concepts, conduct trade studies, and develop multidisciplinary design, analysis, and optimization (MDAO) systems

  • Lead concept refinement, cross-discipline trade studies, and develop a highly skilled flight sciences team

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

  • Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field

  • 10+ years of experience in aerodynamic design and analysis, CFD analysis, and optimization techniques

  • Proficiency in CFD solvers, parametric geometry modeling, and wind tunnel testing

  • Experience with high-fidelity aerodynamic shape optimization using adjoint-based methods and heuristic methods

  • Experience synthesizing a variety of computational, experimental, and multi-fidelity data sources into cohesive aerodynamics models for design, performance, stability and control, flight simulator development, and experimental flight testing

  • Expertise in architecting multidisciplinary design, analysis, and optimization (MDAO) frameworks for transonic and supersonic configurations, integrating various solvers and models

  • Proficiency with high performance computing (HPC) environments, mesh adaptation, adjoint-based optimization; implementation of HPC via AWS, Azure, Google HPC

  • Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex projects

PERKS AND BENEFITS:

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

  • 401(k) program and transparent stock option plan

  • Self-managed and flexible time-off policy, including PTO, paid holidays, and sick time

  • Flexible work environment

  • Company-funded perks, including weekly team lunches and Astro Mechanica swag

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

At Astro Mechanica, we highly value in-office work to foster collaboration and strengthen our company culture. We consider working in the office five days a week an essential part of the employee's role.

Astro Mechanica is an equal opportunity employer. We proudly recruit and hire a diverse workforce and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.