Hypersonic Airframe Engineer

NORTH WIND SYSTEMS LLC • Newport News, VA

115d

About The Position

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. The Hypersonic Airframe Engineer will design, analyze, and synthesize hypersonic testbed vehicles. Responsible for internal and external lofting, packaging, and initial thermal-structural sizing. This role combines technical expertise, creativity, and analytical skills to inform design space exploration and generate vehicle designs while adhering to industry standards and project requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering discipline;
• 5+ years of experience
• A combination of education and experience equivalent to above
• Specialization in high speed airbreathing propulsion vehicle design
• Working knowledge of mechanical analyses including material trades, thermal analyses, and structural analyses

Nice To Haves

• Experience with design and analysis of ramjet and scramjet powered vehicles
• Familiarity with conceptual vehicle layout
• US citizenship required to obtain/maintain a DOD security clearance
• Ability to obtain a government clearance

Responsibilities

• Participate in the initial phases of testbed vehicle development to explore and evaluate different configurations while working directly with teammates responsible for aerodynamic and propulsion analyses.
• Perform initial thermal and structural sizing trades.
• Perform initial packaging studies allocating appropriate volumes for internal components such as guidance electronics, power systems, fuel systems, and actuation systems while considering airframe manufacturing and assembly constraints.
• Predict vehicle mass properties in support of vehicle performance analyses.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree