Propulsion/Aerodynamics Engineer

Wild West Systems Inc.Leander, TX

About The Position

Wild West Systems is an American defense technology company with the mission to equip the civilized world with superior and affordable arms and advanced technologies - to dominate the battlefield of present and future threats, in a new era of asymmetrical warfare. We fuse versatile domain experience with novel approach and creativity to change the paradigm of defense - both for military arenas and civilian soft targets. We're an early stage startup, rapidly moving and growing.

Requirements

  • Comfortable solving physics problems from first principles.
  • Ability to move between quick hand calculations, simplified models, and high-fidelity simulations without losing intuition.
  • Make decisions quickly and back them up with analysis.
  • Comfortable working on new or unconventional technology where no one has all the answers yet.
  • Enjoy difficult problems where engineering judgment matters.
  • Hands-on and willing to learn across propulsion, aerodynamics, and system integration.
  • Motivated by building real systems, not just running models.
  • CFD modeling (ANSYS Fluent preferred)
  • Coding for engineering analysis (Python or MATLAB preferred)
  • CAD modeling proficiency (SolidWorks, Onshape, or equivalent)
  • Solid mechanical engineering fundamentals
  • Strong understanding of compressible flow, gas dynamics, and heat transfer
  • Ability to perform first-order engineering calculations quickly and accurately
  • Experience translating performance requirements into engineering design constraints
  • Internal ballistics and solid propellant behavior
  • Burn rate dynamics and pressure coupling
  • Solid rocket motor design including: Nozzle geometry, Ignition systems, Insulation and materials, Structural analysis
  • Propellant grain/core geometry optimization
  • Pressure vessel design and analysis
  • High-temperature gas flow and thermal loads
  • External aerodynamics of flight vehicles
  • Missile or projectile design
  • Flight mechanics and trajectory modeling
  • Center of pressure / center of gravity relationships
  • Aerodynamic coefficient modeling
  • Subsonic through supersonic flow regimes
  • Drag component analysis
  • Flight envelope behavior
  • 3-5 years of relevant engineering experience with a Bachelor's degree OR 1-2 years of relevant experience with a Master's or PhD
  • Strong fundamentals
  • Intellectual curiosity
  • Ability to learn quickly
  • Willingness to solve hard problems

Nice To Haves

  • Familiarity with solid propellant formulation is a strong plus
  • Experience with guidance, navigation, and control systems is beneficial but not required

Responsibilities

  • Translate mission requirements into propulsion and aerodynamic design parameters.
  • Perform rapid engineering analysis using: Hand calculations, Simplified analytical models, Simulation tools CFD
  • Design and evaluate propulsion systems including: Solid rocket motors, Nozzle geometry, Propellant grain geometry, Pressure and burn rate behavior, Thermal and structural loads
  • Model internal ballistics and pressure dynamics in solid propellant systems.
  • Optimize propellant core geometry to achieve target thrust profiles and burn behavior.
  • Analyze external aerodynamics of flight vehicles across subsonic through supersonic regimes.
  • Calculate and validate: Drag components (base, form, friction, shock), Aerodynamic coefficients, Center of pressure vs center of gravity relationships, Flight stability and control behavior
  • Develop and run CFD simulations to validate design assumptions.
  • Write code to automate analysis, simulation workflows, and performance modeling.
  • Work closely with manufacturing, systems, and testing teams to translate designs into real hardware.
  • Support flight tests and ground tests, diagnose performance issues, and iterate quickly.
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