Aerodynamics Engineer

About the role

Join the Starship Aerodynamics team to predict aerodynamic and aerothermal conditions for both booster and ship across all mission phases. You will develop accurate forecasts using computational tools, simulations, and wind-tunnel tests, then validate predictions against flight data. Your work directly supports GNC engineers in achieving safe stage recovery and helps structural engineers refine vehicle designs. You will own the creation and maintenance of analysis methods that define the aerodynamic environment for vehicle design and certification. The role requires you to translate high-level mission requirements into specific aerodynamic constraints and performance metrics that guide engineering trade studies. You will be responsible for ensuring that our predictions accurately represent the complex physics of high-speed, high-altitude atmospheric flight. This position places you at the center of vehicle development, where your analyses determine whether critical design configurations are feasible and safe. You will act as the aerodynamic authority for your assigned vehicle segments, owning the problem from initial concept through flight validation.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Build, mesh, execute, and analyze CFD models for vehicle flight environments across varying atmospheric conditions and vehicle configurations.
• Compare post-flight telemetry against pre-flight aerodynamic estimates to refine models and improve prediction accuracy for future missions.
• Collaborate with responsible engineers across disciplines, delivering inputs for design decisions and explaining relevant flow physics to ensure alignment on technical risks.
• Develop scripts and code across multiple languages, ensuring common interfaces and integration into automated workflows for analysis and reporting.
• Generate detailed aerodynamic databases that capture forces, moments, and heating rates to support trajectory predictions and vehicle stability assessments.
• Execute parametric studies and sensitivity analyses to identify critical design drivers and support robust vehicle configuration decisions.
• Partner with test engineers to plan and conduct wind-tunnel tests, scaling results to flight conditions and validating computational approaches.
• Create clear, concise technical documentation that captures methods, assumptions, and results for peer review and future reference.
• Perform root cause analysis on discrepancies between predictions and observations, leading to improvements in modeling and simulation practices.
• Support entry, descent, and landing analyses by providing high-fidelity aerodynamic coefficients and uncertainty quantifications for use in trajectory and control simulations.
• Mentor junior engineers in best practices for aerodynamic analysis, promoting a culture of rigorous inquiry and data-driven decision-making.
• Interface with external partners and suppliers to coordinate analysis efforts and ensure consistency with project objectives and standards.
• Track and report on key performance indicators for aerodynamic accuracy, helping the team to set goals and measure progress over time.
• Contribute to the development of in-house tools and capabilities that enhance the productivity and reach of the Starship Aerodynamics organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline with a strong focus on aerospace or mechanical engineering fundamentals.
• Willingness to work extended hours and weekends when necessary to meet critical project timelines and mission commitments.
• U.S. citizenship is required to meet ITAR regulations and ensure eligibility for access to controlled information and facilities.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly master new software tools, analysis techniques, and engineering methods in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to effectively convey complex technical concepts to multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven capacity to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining organization and attention to detail.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment where priorities can shift rapidly based on test results and flight data.
• Commitment to maintaining a high standard of safety and quality in all analytical work that supports flight hardware and missions.
• Willingness to relocate to Starbase, Texas, and adapt to the unique operational tempo of an active development and test site.
• Eagerness to learn from flight data and test results, using insights to continuously improve analytical models and methods.

Nice to have

• Master's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering with a focus on aerodynamics or aerothermodynamics.
• Familiarity with lower-order, engineering-level analysis methods such as panel theory and simplified empirical models.
• Ability to generate watertight 3D geometry and CFD meshes, run simulations on Linux/Unix platforms, and visualize results in Tecplot or ParaView.
• Hands-on experience with NASA entry-vehicle solvers such as FUN3D, Loci/CHEM, or DPLR for high-fidelity analysis of hypersonic flows.
• Background in experimental wind-tunnel or aerodynamic testing to correlate computational results with physical observations.
• Proficiency in data processing and analysis using MATLAB or Python to handle large datasets and automate repetitive tasks.
• Solid foundation in external, compressible fluid dynamics, including shock-wave/boundary-layer interactions and high-Mach number effects.
• Strong organizational, communication, and documentation abilities with a self-directed work style that promotes continuous improvement.

Practical notes

• ITAR restriction: Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain required authorization from the U.S. Department of State.
• Applicants needing reasonable accommodation or wishing to view the Affirmative Action Plan may contact EEOCompliance@spacex.com.