Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics Engineer II (Aerospace)

Location: On-site in El Segundo, California, United States. The role requires U.S. person status and authorization to access export-controlled technology; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain the required security clearance.

Salary: $119,543–$152,749 per year, plus potential stock options and/or long-term cash awards.

Company

hirify.global develops commercial space infrastructure, including in-orbit pharmaceutical processing, reentry capsules, heat shields, and satellite buses.

What you will do

• Own aerodynamic and aeroheating database development across the full flight envelope, from rarefied entry through hypersonic maneuvering and subsonic terminal approach.
• Plan, execute, and analyze wind tunnel campaigns while reconciling test results with CFD predictions.
• Run high-fidelity CFD and DSMC simulations using tools including Fun3D, LAURA, DPLR, US3D, SPARTA, DAC, and CBAero.
• Characterize static and dynamic stability, develop 6DOF simulation inputs, and contribute to flight rules and vehicle performance models.
• Lead post-flight aerodynamic reconstruction and performance assessments, updating models where predictions diverged from flight results.
• Collaborate with GNC, structures, TPS, and mission planning teams to deliver flight-ready aeroscience products.

Requirements

• BS degree in engineering or physics with 3+ years of relevant industry experience, or a relevant PhD with 1+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Meaningful contribution to the aerodynamic development of a hypersonic vehicle that has flown or is expected to fly within five years.
• Experience analyzing and rigorously documenting aerodynamic data from testing, CFD, flight, and other sources.
• Experience with CFD and DSMC simulations of hypersonic and subsonic flows, plus structured and unstructured mesh generation in Pointwise.
• Proficiency in MATLAB or Python and strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required.

Nice to have

• Advanced degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering specializing in aerodynamics or fluid mechanics.
• Hands-on wind tunnel campaign experience, including planning, execution, and data reduction.
• Experience with aerodynamic databases for flying vehicles, POST2 or similar 6DOF tools, TPS sizing, flight reconstruction, and post-flight evaluations.
• Technical breadth across GNC, avionics, software, or structures.

Culture & Benefits

• Regular full-time employment with flexible PTO and 12 paid holidays.
• Company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance with FSA and employer-matched HSA options.
• 12 weeks of parental leave, family-building and wellness benefits, and sponsored One Medical memberships.
• 401(k) plan with a 6% immediately vested employer match and relocation support for new hires when needed.
• Daily lunch, twice-weekly dinner, team events, mission-success celebrations, and complimentary EV charging.