Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics Engineer II (Aerospace)

Location: On-site in El Segundo, California, United States. The position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance and U.S. citizenship to obtain clearance. hirify.global hires U.S. persons for access to export-controlled technology.

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 payloads, 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 reduce wind tunnel campaign data, reconcile test results with CFD predictions, and maintain traceable vehicle database revisions.
• Run high-fidelity CFD and DSMC simulations using tools including Fun3D, LAURA, DPLR, US3D, SPARTA, DAC, and CBAero, and build structured and unstructured Pointwise meshes.
• Characterize static and dynamic stability, develop 6DOF simulation inputs, and contribute to flight rules and vehicle-level performance models.
• Lead post-flight aerodynamic reconstruction and performance assessments, using discrepancies between predictions and flight results to update models.
• Collaborate with GNC, structures, TPS, and mission planning teams as the aerodynamics representative in cross-disciplinary design discussions.

Requirements

• BS in engineering or physics with 3+ years of relevant industry experience, or a relevant PhD with 1+ year of relevant industry experience.
• Meaningful contribution to the aerodynamic development of a flown or upcoming hypersonic vehicle.
• 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 meshing 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 to obtain clearance.

Nice to have

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

Culture & Benefits

• Full-time employment with flexible PTO and 12 paid holidays.
• Company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, with FSA and employer-matched HSA options.
• Parental leave, family-building and caregiving benefits, and sponsored One Medical memberships.
• 401(k) plan with a 6% immediately vested employer match and incentive equity.
• Relocation support may be available for new hires.
• Daily lunch, dinner twice weekly, wellness reimbursement, company events, and complimentary EV charging.