Senior Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics Engineer

About VardaLow Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. Varda’s W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind. Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital. Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL. Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.About this RoleVarda is seeking an Senior Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics Engineer to support operation of Varda's current vehicles and the development of Varda's next reentry vehicle – from rarefied entry, to hypersonic maneuvering, and subsonic terminal approach. The candidate must have experience running high speed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and supporting wind tunnel campaigns. Exposure to 6DOF flight dynamics modeling, and experience developing flight rules is strongly preferred. The ideal candidate should have been involved in the aerodynamic development of a currently flying vehicle from cradle to grave.ResponsibilitiesOwn the aerodynamic and aeroheating database development across the full flight envelope, from free-molecular rarefied entry through hypersonic maneuvering to subsonic terminal approach, serving as the authoritative aeroscience input to GNC, TPS sizing, and mission analysisPlan, execute, and reduce data from wind tunnel campaigns; reconcile ground test results with CFD predictions and update vehicle databases with traceable, well-documented revisionsRun high-fidelity CFD and DSMC simulations of hypersonic and subsonic flows using tools such as Fun3D, LAURA, DPLR, US3D, SPARTA, DAC, and CBAero; build structured and unstructured meshes in PointwiseCharacterize static and dynamic stability, develop 6DOF simulation inputs, and contribute to flight rules and vehicle-level performance modelsSynthesize aerodynamic evidence from CFD, wind tunnel, and flight telemetry into a coherent, traceable database that supports GNC, TPS sizing, and mission analysisLead post-flight aerodynamic reconstruction and performance assessments; identify where preflight predictions diverged from reality and drive model updates that make the next mission sharperCollaborate across disciplines: GNC, structures, TPS, and mission planning, to deliver flight-ready aeroscience products and serve as the aerodynamics voice in every cross-discipline design discussionBasic QualificationsBS degree in engineering or physics and 6+ years of relevant industry experience, or a relevant PhD and 3+ years of relevant industry experienceMeaningful contribution to the aerodynamic development of a hypersonic vehicle that has flown, or is on track to fly within the next 5 yearsExperience analyzing aerodynamic data from test, CFD, flight, and other sources and documenting findings rigorouslyExperience running CFD and DSMC simulations of hypersonic and subsonic flows (Fun3D, LAURA, DPLR, US3D, SPARTA, DAC, CBAero)Comfortable building structured and unstructured meshes in PointwiseProficiency in MATLAB or PythonExcellent written and verbal communication skills with a demonstrated ability to translate complex aeroscience findings for cross-disciplinary audiences This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance Preferred Skills and ExperienceAdvanced degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, specializing in aerodynamics or fluid mechanicsHands-on wind tunnel campaign experience, including test planning, execution, and data reductionDirect ownership of aerodynamic and aeroheating databases for a flying vehicleFamiliarity with modeling vehicle dynamics in POST2 or similar 6DOF toolsExperience sizing ablative or non-ablative TPSExperience with flight reconstruction and post-flight performance evaluationsTechnical breadth in adjacent disciplines (GNC, avionics, software, structures)Pay RangeSalary Range: Senior: $140,333- $179,314/per yearThis role is on-sitein El Segundo, CALeveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performanceYou will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awardsBenefitsConsider your benefits covered for launch. At Varda, we invest in benefits and perks that support your health, financial well-being, and life beyond work. Benefits vary by position, with packages designed specifically for our regular full-time employees and interns. Regular Full-Time Positions: Health & Wellness  Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays  100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance  $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses  12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for CA mothers)  Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic  Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents  Financial & Retirement  Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up  401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested) $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement  Relocation support for new hires, if needed  Workplace Experience & Perks  Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly  Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations Complimentary EV charging Benefits for Internship Positions: Health & Wellness   Paid observed holidays.   100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options.  $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses.   Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents.   Financial   $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement.   Up to $4,000 gross up in relocation support, if eligible  Up to $850 commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible.   Workplace Experience & Perks  Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly  Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations Complimentary EV charging ITAR RequirementsVarda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our policy is to only hire “U.S. persons” who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.“US person” means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum).E-Verify StatementVarda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.E-Verify Notice Right To Work NoticeRead moreRead moreVarda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.