Aircraft Advanced Design Software Engineer

Aircraft Advanced Design Software Engineer

Long Beach, CA

What is JetZero?

Today's aircraft contribute around 4% of global CO2 emissions, equivalent to the emissions of 200 million cars. This is only going to increase: Air travel is forecasted to double by 2050, while meaningful efficiency gains using current airplanes have hit a wall. JetZero is developing a blended-wing body (BWB) aircraft. It uses up to 50% less fuel and will be built to accommodate zero-emission hydrogen propulsion. JetZero is the inevitable solution to sustainable air travel.

The JetZero Team

We are experienced aerospace professionals and engineers, excited about the future. That future will only be possible if we share our vision and what it means to people's lives: carbon-free flight that is better for both passengers and airlines around the world.

The Aircraft Advanced Design Software Engineer will combine software engineering expertise with a strong foundation in aerospace analysis to build and sustain the tools that power JetZero's aircraft development. You'll be embedded within the Flight Sciences and Aircraft Design teams, collaborating across disciplines to translate complex engineering problems into robust, scalable software solutions. You'll work at the intersection of MATLAB-based MDO frameworks, 6DOF simulation, and conceptual sizing tools — modernizing legacy codebases while architecting new optimization capabilities. Working in a collaborative, agile environment, you'll play a critical role in shaping the analytical infrastructure that underpins the design of the Blended Wing Body aircraft from the ground up.

What You'll Do:

• Lead the development, optimization, and scaling of in-house aircraft design and analysis tools supporting conceptual sizing, configuration trades, and performance analysis
• Improve computational performance, robustness, and usability of MATLAB and Simulink based tools, including MDO frameworks and 6 DOF flight simulation models
• Profile, refactor, and modernize legacy scripts into maintainable, modular, and efficient software architectures
• Research and architect optimization strategies and implement optimization capability
• Collaborate closely with aircraft design, flight sciences, and systems engineers to translate analysis needs into performant software solutions
• Establish best practices for coding standards, version control, documentation, and long term tool sustainability

What You Bring:

• Strong programming expertise with MATLAB, including numerical methods, performance optimization, and large scale codebases
• Hands on experience with Simulink, particularly for dynamic system or flight simulation modeling
• Demonstrated ability to improve runtime efficiency, scalability, and reliability of engineering or scientific software
• Solid understanding of aircraft design and performance fundamentals, sufficient to work effectively with aerospace engineers
• Proficiency with version control systems (e.g., Git) and collaborative development workflows
• Experience applying software engineering best practices in a technical or analytical environment

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience with multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) or early phase aircraft design tools
• Familiarity with MATLAB Compiler, code generation, and deployment of compiled analytical tools
• Background in aerospace conceptual design, flight mechanics, or performance analysis
• Exposure to parallel computing, algorithmic optimization, or high performance computing techniques
• Experience working in fast paced aircraft development or advanced prototyping programs

Compensation:

Our compensation package is a blend of base salary and equity options for eligible employees. The range for this role is $160,000 - $180,000. We consider a number of factors when presenting a final offer, including geography, internal equity and years of experience and expertise.

Benefits

• Unlimited PTO
• 10 paid holidays
• 401(k)
• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Equity tax advisory services
• Supportive work culture

Pay Range

$160,000 - $180,000 USD

The Interview Process

We want our interview process to be a true reflection of our culture: transparent and collaborative. Throughout the interview process, your recruiter will guide you through the next steps and ensure you feel prepared every step of the way.

• Our First Chat: During this first conversation, you'll meet with a recruiter or hiring team member to chat through your background, what you could bring to our team, what you are looking for in your next role, and who we are.
• The Hiring Manager Interview: You will meet with your potential future boss to really dive into the role, the team, expectations, and what success means at JetZero. This is your chance to really nerd out with someone in your field.
• The Panel: Learn more about the team, responsibilities, and workflows. You should be prepared to speak about past projects, how you collaborate and communicate with others, and how you live our values. Depending on the team and role you are interviewing for, you may meet with several teammates as well as cross-functional partners.
• The Executive Review: A chance to meet an executive and view JetZero from a different lens. Be prepared to ask well-thought-out questions about the company, culture, and more.

Depending on the position you are interviewing for, there may also be a Take Home Exercise as part of the interview process. Our assessments seek to test the hard skills required to do the job. Your recruiter will inform you of which assessment you will be assigned and ensure you are fully prepared for your big day.

JetZero does not sponsor visas for US positions unless specified. Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered.

At JetZero, we value diversity and are an equal opportunity employer by choice. We consider all qualified applicants equally for employment & do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws, ordinance, or regulation.