Contract Hypersonic Aerothermal Engineer

The challenge

Lead aerothermal analysis for next-generation hypersonic vehicles. Develop and validate thermal protection system (TPS) models for Mach 5+ flight environments.

Role overview

Aerothermal analysis and thermal protection system design for hypersonic vehicles. Predicting heating environments, sizing TPS materials, and validating predictions against arc jet and flight test data. The gap between computational prediction and experimental measurement is the engineering frontier.

Specializations

Technical requirements

• MS or PhD in Aerospace Engineering with focus on aerothermodynamics or thermal protection
• 10+ years in hypersonic or high-speed aerothermal engineering
• Experience with CFD tools for hypersonic flows (US3D, LAURA, DPLR, or commercial codes)
• Understanding of TPS materials: ablators, CMCs, carbon-carbon composites, UHTC
• Experience with thermal analysis tools (SINDA/FLUINT, ANSYS Thermal, or equivalent)
• Active Top Secret clearance required

Key responsibilities

• Perform aerothermal analysis for hypersonic glide vehicles at Mach 5-20 flight conditions
• Design thermal protection systems using advanced materials (C-C composites, CMCs, UHTC)
• Develop CFD models for hypersonic flow fields including real-gas effects and surface catalysis
• Correlate analytical predictions with arc jet test data and flight test measurements
• Perform thermal-structural analysis for TPS design validation
• Support material characterization testing at high-temperature facilities

Compensation & Benefits

• Hourly rate: $95-115/hour ($197,600 - $239,200 annualized)
• 24-month contract aligned to program milestones
• Clearance premium included in rate
• On-site work required
• Relocation support for Denver-area residence