Senior Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics Engineer

Job description

About Varda 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. Varda’s W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses. 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. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind. 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 was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital. 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. Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem. About this Role Varda is seeking an Senior 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. The candidate must have experience running high speed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and supporting wind tunnel campaigns. 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 Plan, execute, and reduce data from wind tunnel campaigns; reconcile ground test results with CFD predictions and update vehicle databases with traceable, well-documented revisions 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 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 Basic Qualifications BS degree in engineering or physics and 6+ years of relevant industry experience, or a relevant PhD and 3+ 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) Comfortable building structured and unstructured meshes in Pointwise Proficiency in MATLAB or Python Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a demonstrated ability to translate complex aeroscience findings for cross-disciplinary audiences 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 Preferred Skills and Experience Advanced degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, specializing in aerodynamics or fluid mechanics Hands-on wind tunnel campaign experience, including test planning, execution, and data reduction Direct ownership of aerodynamic and aeroheating databases for a flying vehicle Familiarity with modeling vehicle dynamics in POST2 or similar 6DOF tools Experience sizing ablative or non-ablative TPS Experience with flight reconstruction and post-flight performance evaluations Technical breadth in adjacent disciplines (GNC, avionics, software, structures) Pay Range Salary Range: Senior: $140,333- $179,314/per year 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 You will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards Benefits Consider your benefits covered for launch. At Varda, we invest in benefits and perks that support your health, financial well-being, and life beyond work. Benefits vary by position, with packages designed specifically for our regular full-time employees and interns. Regular Full-Time Positions: Health & Wellness   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 Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance  $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  Financial & Retirement   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  Relocation support for new hires, if needed  Workplace Experience & Perks Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly  Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations Complimentary EV charging Intern Positions: Health & Wellness    Paid observed 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 Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents Financial   $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement Up to $4,000 gross up in relocation support, if eligible Up to $850 commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible Workplace Experience & Perks Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations Complimentary EV charging ITAR Requirements 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. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our policy is to only hire “U.S. persons” who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license. “US person” means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum). E-Verify Statement Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program. E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice Read more Read more Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.