Fluid Systems Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation • El Segundo, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Fluid Systems Engineer (Senior Member of Technical Staff – Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering) for its Fluid Systems Section within the Fluid Mechanics Department of the Vehicle Systems Division. The section combines experimental, computational, and theoretical approaches to fluid dynamics research and engineering. This role supports fluid systems characterization for space, launch, and reentry vehicles through analysis, modeling, planning, and technical review. The position is onsite in El Segundo, California, with at least four days onsite each week, and requires approximately 20% domestic travel.

The engineer will evaluate steady and transient internal flows in vehicle components and subsystems, including single-phase and/or multiphase flows. The role also involves collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, supporting launch-day activities at on-site facilities and national launch sites, and participating in technical meetings and reviews. The engineer will engage with program offices, contractors, government personnel, research laboratories, and academia, while providing objective technical perspectives to government and civil customers.

The role requires a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related discipline, and at least five years of academic research or applicable professional experience in fluid mechanics. Candidates must be familiar with incompressible and compressible flow theory and with analytical methods and computational fluid dynamics. The position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a government-issued security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain clearance.

Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university program in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of academic research or applicable professional industry experience in fluid mechanics.
• Familiarity with incompressible and compressible flow theory.
• Experience using analytical methods and computational fluid dynamics.
• Willingness to travel domestically approximately 20% of the time.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a government-issued security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a clearance.

Nice To Haves

• PhD in aerospace, aeronautical, or mechanical engineering, or a related discipline.
• Graduate-level coursework in hydraulics, pneumatics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, mass transfer, free-surface flows, incompressible flows, and compressible flows.
• Experience in fluid networks, liquid propulsion systems, cryogenics, and slosh analysis.
• Experience using experimental methods, hardware, and instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Conduct analysis, modeling, planning, and review functions associated with fluid systems characterization of space, launch, and reentry vehicles.
• Assess steady and transient internal flows in vehicle components and subsystems for single-phase and/or multiphase states.
• Participate in multidisciplinary engineering teams to resolve technical issues.
• Perform day-of-launch activities at on-site facilities and national launch sites.
• Support on-site and off-site technical interchange meetings, contractor-analysis reviews, and hardware and mission assurance reviews.
• Maintain technical currency and stay abreast of advances in fluid mechanics technologies related to space, launch, and reentry vehicles.
• Provide objective technical viewpoints to government and civil customers.
• Work with program offices and interface with contractors, government personnel, research laboratories, and academia.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans.
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation.
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options.
• 401(k) plan with total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service, plus matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested upon hire.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions.
• Relocation assistance.
• Professional growth and development programs.
• Education assistance programs.
• Inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior