Fluids Analyst I, Combustion Devices

About the role

This position involves performing computational fluid dynamics analysis to support the design and qualification of combustion hardware for the Terran R rocket. You will work within the propulsion team to influence engineering decisions through thermofluid expertise and data-driven insights. In this capacity, you are responsible for owning the detailed CFD workflows that translate system-level requirements into actionable component designs. You will own the simulation strategy from initial concept through final report, ensuring that every analysis step is traceable and defensible. The role requires you to partner closely with engineers across disciplines to resolve complex technical challenges at the intersection of fluid dynamics and combustion stability. You will leverage numerical methods to de-risk hardware development by predicting performance under a wide range of operating conditions. This position is central to increasing the reliability and efficiency of propulsion systems through rigorous analysis and verification. Ultimately, your work will directly inform hardware fabrication, test campaigns, and the successful qualification of flight-critical components.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Execute computational fluid dynamics simulations for combustion devices such as igniters, thrust chambers, heat exchangers, and injectors.
• Construct and refine computational models, ensuring that assumptions regarding turbulence, species transport, and energy equations are physically justified.
• Validate simulation predictions by comparing results against flight data and test stand measurements to confirm model accuracy.
• Interpret complex datasets to identify trends, anomalies, and opportunities for performance improvement.
• Collaborate with mechanical and systems engineers to align analysis objectives with design constraints and programmatic goals.
• Develop standardized analysis procedures that reduce manual effort and enable faster iteration across multiple design cycles.
• Support the creation of technical documentation that clearly communicates methods, assumptions, and conclusions to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Participate in design reviews where analysis results are used to guide critical hardware decisions and trade studies.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of best practices in meshing strategies, solver setup, and post-processing techniques.
• Contribute to the creation of analysis playbooks that codify lessons learned and improve team efficiency over time.
• Mentor junior analysts on the proper application of simulation tools and the interpretation of computational results.
• Coordinate with test teams to ensure that instrumentation and data acquisition plans support the validation of CFD models.
• Evaluate the impact of manufacturing variations and boundary condition uncertainties on predicted device performance.
• Drive the adoption of automation in repetitive analysis tasks to accelerate the overall design cycle.
• Ensure that all analysis activities comply with internal standards and regulatory expectations where applicable.

Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor degree in engineering or a science-related field from an accredited institution.
• Demonstrate practical experience with computational fluid dynamics analysis through employment, academic projects, or internships.
• Show proficiency in core analysis workflows including meshing, definition of boundary conditions, and post-processing of results.
• Exhibit the ability to write scripts using MATLAB, Python, or similar programming languages to automate tasks and process data.
• Possess fundamental knowledge of heat transfer mechanisms and fluid dynamics principles relevant to propulsion systems.
• Be capable of working independently and communicating technical concepts clearly in a collaborative team environment.
• Have the legal right to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship for this position at this time.
• Be comfortable managing multiple analysis tasks simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy.

Nice to have

• Hold a Graduate degree in a science or engineering discipline.
• Demonstrate familiarity with Siemens STAR-CCM+ or comparable CFD platforms.
• Show understanding of rocket engine combustion subsystems and their interaction with fluid systems.
• Have experience applying analysis results to support design decisions and test planning.

Practical notes

Relativity provides equity, competitive salary, parental leave, and a PTO policy. For reasonable accommodation requests, contact accommodations@relativityspace.com. Unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies are not accepted.