Aerodynamics Engineer II

About the Team:

Relativity’s Integrated Performance teams ensure that our products work across all systems and disciplines, from trajectory design to aerodynamics to reliability analysis and beyond. Our groups size the Terran R rocket, design its missions for customer success, reliability, and reusability, and ensure that every system on the rocket and ground is engineered correctly for the demanding environments of launch and entry. Recently, we completed the preliminary design and analysis of Terran R including Relativity’s first-ever work on launch vehicle reusability, spanning advanced trajectory simulations, wind tunnel testing, and structures analysis, among many other projects.

About the Role:

• 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 from CFD, wind tunnel, and empirical data sources
• Drive the design of major Terran R system elements – like fins, flaps, and primary structure – to meet criteria for control, stability, heating, and pressure
• Guide and mentor responsible hardware engineers to ensure hardware meets aerodynamics and system-level requirements
• Mature Relativity’s tools for developing and communicating aerodynamics data, including custom and commercial code, databases, and data processing tools

To be successful in this role, you should be self-motivated, adaptable, and able to contribute significantly to a fast-paced, integrated vehicle program. You should also be able to resolve ambiguity 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.

About You:

• Undergraduate degree in engineering or related field
• 2+ years relevant experience
• Proficiency in compressible flow, preferably on entry vehicles
• Experience executing CFD workflows for external flow, preferably including engine plume simulation
• Experience solving cross-disciplinary design problems on integrated vehicles
• Proficiency in Python and industry-standard CFD tools like FUN3D or Star-CCM+, including use of HPC clusters

Nice to Haves, but Not Required:

• Graduate degree in engineering or related field
• 5+ years relevant experience across 1 or more program lifecycles
• Experience with database design and analysis using standard tools like FUN3D or Loci/CHEM
• Experience supporting hardware teams
• Experience with instrumentation, wind tunnel and flight testing