Aerospace Analysis Engineer
North Wind
Newport News, VA, USA
Join North Wind – Accelerating Hypersonic Innovation
At North Wind, we are advancing hypersonic technologies through cutting-edge research, system development, and flight testing. Our team drives innovation in high-speed aerodynamics, propulsion systems, and mission-critical components, supporting every phase of hypersonic programs—from R&D to flight testing. If you are passionate about pushing technological boundaries in a dynamic environment, we invite you to join us. Satellite engineering offices across the US are available so location constraints are potentially flexible.
Aerospace Analysis Engineer - CFD (Senior and Principal levels considered)
The Aerospace Analysis Engineer - Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a key contributor who develops and executes high-fidelity simulations to analyze aerodynamic performance, thermal environments, and complex flow physics for high-speed aerospace systems. This role supports system design and optimization by delivering accurate numerical insights validated against physical models and test data, while collaborating closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
This position is eligible for remote work.
Responsibilities:
- Develop, set-up, and execute CFD simulations using commercial or open-source solvers for high-speed aerospace system problems, including external and internal flows.
- Create aerodynamic databases for vehicle trajectory simulations and performance models.
- Perform analysis of internal flows of airbreathing propulsion flowpaths, including high-speed inlet systems with complex shock / boundary layer interactions and chemically reacting / combusting flows.
- Develop and recommend design solutions to optimize aerodynamic performance and operability for high-speed systems.
- Apply advanced data science techniques with machine learning to build surrogate models of CFD simulation results.
- Support the structural and thermal analysis teams by deriving pressure and aerothermal boundary conditions from CFD solutions.
- Support multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) efforts, including integration of CFD-generated models with propulsion, structures, and controls simulations.
- Interpret and validate CFD simulation results against experimental data, translating findings into actionable insights in collaboration with multi-discipline teams.
- Contribute to process improvements by recommending advanced CFD methods, trajectory tools, optimization algorithms, or workflow enhancements.
- Prepare clear technical documentation, analysis summaries, charts, and presentations for internal reviews and external stakeholders.
- Interface with customer technical representatives to review and discuss analysis activities and results.
Preferred Education / Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or a related field. Master’s degree or higher preferred.
- 10-15+ years of experience in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) applied to aerospace systems; or a combination of education and experience equivalent to above.
Preferred Knowledge / Ability:
- Must be a self-starter, able to work on multiple projects, and prioritize workload.
- Proficient in CFD tools such as Pointwise and Tecplot for mesh generation software and post-processing results.
- Strong programming skills for modeling and analysis (e.g., Python, MATLAB / Simulink, Fortran, or C++), including scripting for automation of simulations and data reduction.
- Experience generating aerodynamic data for trajectory simulation, mission analysis, and performance trade studies.
- Experience with multidisciplinary design optimization frameworks and tools.
- Familiarity with high-performance computing (HPC) for large-scale CFD simulations, including operating in a Linux environment.
- Experience with testing and supporting the design of instrumentation layouts and test matrices for CFD comparisons and model validation.
- Strong written and verbal communication.
- Strong analytical mindset with rigorous attention to validation, verification, and engineering accuracy.
- Proficiency in interpreting engineering plans, technical drawings, and specifications.
- Active U.S. security clearance preferred; candidates must be U.S. citizens and eligible to obtain and maintain a clearance.
- Working knowledge of CAD systems, preferably Solidworks.