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Senior Aerodynamics Engineer

Relativity Space

Relativity Space

Other Engineering
Long Beach, CA, USA
Posted on May 4, 2023

Company Overview:

We invented a new approach to design, build, and fly our own rockets, starting with Terran 1 – the world’s first entirely 3D printed rocket and Terran R our reusable next generation 3D printed rocket.

Using our vertically integrated technology platform, leveraging additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and autonomous robotics to deliver superiority over traditional aerospace manufacturing methods, we’re disrupting 60 years of aerospace with our novelty approach to get to space, Mars, and beyond faster, more cost-effective, and more reliable.

We believe in a future where interplanetary life fundamentally expands the possibilities for human experience. Our long-term vision is to upgrade humanity’s industrial base on Earth and on Mars.

Team:

The Integrated Performance department is responsible for ensuring that Relativity’s rockets will achieve our objectives. Our department comprises teams responsible for Flight Sciences (including Aerodynamics, Aerothermal, Thermal, Loads, and Dynamics), Vehicle Simulation & Performance, Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC), and Systems Engineering. Our teams architect and execute analysis, simulation, and test projects for all of Relativity’s hardware and software teams in pursuit of mission success.

What you’ll do:

As an Aerodynamics Senior Engineer, you will help drive the technical direction of Relativity’s products across the domains of Aerodynamics and Aerothermodynamics, focusing on external flow analyses using CFD, panel methods, and empirical methods. You will play a key role in shaping Relativity’s vehicle products and advanced technical analyses, including Terran R vehicle entry and reusability, and required simulation tools and methods. In short, you’ll determine how Relativity’s vehicles look and fly, leveraging a high degree of technical authority.

You will collaborate with our design, propulsion, GNC, and dynamics teams to deliver aerodynamics design, test, and analysis projects on time, while meeting our technical requirements. A high degree of autonomy along with an ability to prioritize work in our fast-paced environment is required. Additionally, you will help build an outstanding vehicle engineering organization at the cutting edge of commercial aerospace.

Here are some examples of projects you could be working on:

  • Develop and execute CFD analyses to solve novel challenges in vehicle entry stability and control
  • Validate CFD approaches and establish CFD best practices for ascent and entry phases of flight
  • Scope and develop aerodynamics databases for ascent and entry including uncertainty quantification
  • Drive the design of major Terran R system elements – like fins, flaps, and primary structure – to meet criteria for control, stability, heating, and pressure
  • Mature Relativity’s tools for developing and communicating aerodynamics data, including custom and commercial code, databases, and data processing tools
  • Guide and mentor responsible hardware engineers to ensure hardware meets aerodynamics and system-level requirements

Success in this role requires self-motivation, adaptability, and the ability to contribute significantly to a fast-paced, integrated vehicle program. You should be able to resolve ambiguity, identify what matters, and drive projects to completion. Ideally, you have significant compressible flow, CFD, and High-Performance Computing (HPC) experience as well as a proven track record for completing projects successfully in a highly collaborative environment.

On a weekly basis, you will be performing analysis, developing software tools, and supporting design teams. You will also use your strong organizational skills to properly manage the documentation and communication of your actions, recommendations, and decisions.

What you need to know:

  • A graduate degree in engineering or related field and 5+ years relevant experience
  • Industry-leading expertise in compressible flow and CFD, preferably on entry vehicles
  • Experience architecting and executing CFD workflows for external flow
  • Experience solving complex problems on integrated vehicles
  • Proficiency in Python and industry-standard CFD tools like FUN3D, Pointwise, and Star-CCM+, including use of HPC clusters

Nice to haves but not required:

  • 10+ years relevant experience across 2 or more program lifecycles
  • Experience developing simulation toolsets and workflows, e.g., performing CFD validation studies and establishing CFD best practices

This position must meet Export Control compliance requirements, therefore a United States Person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 is required.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Relativity Space offers competitive salary and equity, a generous vacation policy, L&D stipend and more! Learn more here!

The below-range represents Relativity Space’s current good-faith pay scale for this role. Relativity Space reserves the right to modify or update this range at any time.

Compensation is only one part of our entire total rewards package. To see some of the benefits & perks we offer, please visit here: https://px.sequoia.com/relativityspace
Hiring Range:
$127,000$163,000 USD