Senior Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics Engineer

Location: On-site in El Segundo, California, United States

Salary: $140,333–$179,314 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, with vehicles built, integrated, and tested in-house.

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, reconciling ground-test data with CFD predictions.
• Run high-fidelity CFD and DSMC simulations using tools such as Fun3D, LAURA, DPLR, US3D, SPARTA, DAC, and CBAero.
• Build structured and unstructured meshes in Pointwise and develop static stability, dynamic stability, and 6DOF simulation inputs.
• Lead post-flight aerodynamic reconstruction and performance assessments, updating models based on mission data.
• Collaborate with GNC, structures, TPS, and mission-planning teams to deliver flight-ready aeroscience products.

Requirements

• BS degree in engineering or physics with 6+ years of relevant industry experience, or a relevant PhD with 3+ 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, and flight sources.
• Experience with hypersonic and subsonic CFD and DSMC simulations, Pointwise meshing, and MATLAB or Python.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for explaining complex aeroscience findings to cross-disciplinary audiences.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain clearance. The role requires a U.S. person authorized to access export-controlled technology.

Nice to have

• Advanced degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering focused on aerodynamics or fluid mechanics.
• Hands-on wind tunnel campaign experience and ownership of aerodynamic or aeroheating databases for flying vehicles.
• Experience with POST2 or similar 6DOF tools, TPS sizing, flight reconstruction, and post-flight performance evaluation.
• Technical breadth across GNC, avionics, software, and 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 wellness benefits, and a $120 monthly fitness reimbursement.
• 401(k) plan with a 6% immediately vested employer match and incentive equity.
• Relocation support may be available for new hires.
• Daily lunch, twice-weekly dinner, team events, and complimentary EV charging.