Specialist Engineer, Aerothermal

Virgin Galactic is seeking a highly experienced Aerothermal Specialist Engineer to join our multidisciplinary System Analysis organization.Guided by our values, "Safety Above All", we proactively manage the risks inherent in human spaceflight through our daily actions.Serve as the SME for Aerothermal within the System Analysis team, owning technical depth in that domain while interfacing with adjacent disciplines across engineering.In this role, you will support aerothermal modeling, CFD based analysis, thermal design, flight test correlation, and system level integration across our suborbital SpaceShip, Launch Vehicle, and special mission programs.You will apply advanced CFD and thermal modeling techniques to characterize heating environments, develop thermal requirements, and integrate aerothermal performance across vehicle systems.This position offers the opportunity to work hands on in a dynamic test environment where high fidelity analysis, real world data, and technical judgment directly shape vehicle performance, safety, and operational capability.Maintain focus on timeliness and execution of tasks and deliverables every day.Why This Role Is UniqueThis role combines deep technical challenge with broad cross disciplinary influence. Serve as the SME for Aerothermal within the System Analysis team, owning technical depth in that domain while interfacing with adjacent disciplines across engineering. As part of a unified System Analysis team, you'll work at the intersection of aerodynamics, thermal analysis, CFD modeling, and flight test—helping shape how these disciplines integrate across the full vehicle lifecycle. You will have direct impact on active flight test campaigns, heating environment predictions, and thermal architecture decisions, with opportunities to validate your models against real flight and ground test data.Beyond technical execution, this role offers leadership growth. You will guide analytical strategy, develop engineering standards and methods, mentor other engineers, and influence the future direction of aerothermal modeling as our fleet and capabilities expand. This is an ideal position for an experienced engineer who enjoys solving complex aerothermal challenges and wants meaningful influence on both near term vehicle performance and long term system design.ResponsibilitiesDevelop high fidelity aerothermal environments using CFD, in-house solvers, and commercial toolsLead thermal modeling and correlation efforts using flight test data, component tests, and analytical predictionsDevelop and substantiate aerothermal and thermal design requirements for unconventional vehicle configurationsBuild and refine heat transfer models across conduction, convection, radiation, plume interaction, aero heating, and solar environmentsSupport preflight preparation including test limitation reviews, flight test plans and procedures, readiness reviews, mission control room support, and postflight analysisDevelop standardized analysis and reporting methods for CFD, aerothermal modeling, and thermal evaluationIntegrate aerothermal predictions with loads, structures, aeroelasticity, avionics, and systems engineeringLead model updates and tuning using ground test and flight test dataProvide technical leadership across the System Analysis team and broader engineering organizationMentor and coach engineers to elevate aerothermal and thermal analysis capabilitySupport program planning by defining aerothermal scope, building work packages, and coordinating team deliverablesLead teams in identifying aerothermal risks, developing mitigation strategies, and making technical recommendationsDrive improvements to system analysis standards, processes, and best practicesRequired Skills And ExperienceBachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited institution with ~12+ years of relevant experience (Advanced degrees may reduce the experience requirement)Deep expertise in CFD for subsonic, transonic, and supersonic flow regimesProven experience developing aerothermal heating models and heat transfer environmentsExperience correlating CFD or thermal models against flight test or component test dataStrong background in external aerodynamics as relevant to thermal environmentsProficiency with commercial and government CFD tools (e.g., FUN3D, STAR-CCM+, ANSYS Fluent)Familiarity with meshing and post‑processing tools (Pointwise, Tecplot, ParaView)Experience developing thermal models using FEM or finite difference tools (Thermal Desktop, FEMAP/TMG, or equivalent)Strong programming skills in MATLAB and/or Python, including sound software development practicesWorking knowledge of aircraft or spacecraft systemsFamiliarity with aerospace thermal and aerothermal standards and environments (FAA, FAA-AST, NASA, MilSpec)Excellent communication, collaboration, and technical presentation skillsDemonstrate willingness to adjust thinking and behaviorPreferred Skills And ExperienceExperience with conjugate heat transfer modelingExperience with avionics and electronics thermal environmentsFamiliarity with plume heating or radiation modelingExperience with flight test instrumentation and thermal data acquisitionExperience with full vehicle aerothermal assessmentsHandson participation in ground or flight test campaignsExperience developing automated analysis workflows in Python or MATLABFAA pilot certificate (optional)Salary and BenefitsThe annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $136,063.00-$207,596.00. The base pay actually offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, location, and experience and take into account internal equity. Other forms of pay (e.g., bonus or long term incentive) may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits, dependent on the position offered.Who We AreVirgin Galactic is an aerospace and space travel company, pioneering human spaceflight for private individuals and researchers with its advanced air and space vehicles. We are making the dream of space travel a reality, delivering spaceflight at an unprecedented frequency, with the development of next generation space vehicles.Export RequirementsTo conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. Person (either a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident or a protected individual as defined 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) or be able to obtain the required authorization from either the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce). The applicant must also not be included in the list of Specifically Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. See list here .EEO StatementVirgin Galactic is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Virgin Galactic is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.#J-18808-Ljbffr