The Role

Mach Industries is seeking a talented and driven Aerodynamicist to support the design, analysis, and optimization of next-generation autonomous defense platforms. Your work will play a crucial role in ensuring our vehicles achieve peak performance and efficiency in mission-critical environments. As an aerodynamicist, you will collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to analyze and refine vehicle performance, enhance aerodynamic efficiency, and integrate cutting-edge designs into production-ready systems.

Responsibilities:

• Aerodynamic Design and Analysis: Lead aerodynamic analysis and design efforts for air-breathing and solid rockets missile platforms across relevant flight regimes, selecting and applying first-principles reasoning, computational tools, and empirical methods as appropriate.
• Optimization of Aerodynamic Performance: Own aerodynamic trade studies to optimize vehicle performance (drag, stability, control, efficiency), assess design sensitivities, and recommend geometry changes aligned with mission-level requirements.
• Support Vehicle-Level Design: Contribute to vehicle-level configuration development, ensuring aerodynamic concepts are integrated effectively with propulsion, structures, and systems from early design through refinement.
• Testing and Validation: Plan and support wind tunnel and flight test campaigns, lead aerodynamic data reduction and interpretation, and drive design updates based on validated results.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field and 5+ years of experience.
• Proficiency in aerodynamic simulation tools and techniques at multiple fidelity levels, such as Missile Datcom, Xfoil, OpenVSP, Cart3D, and/or STAR-CCM+.
• 2+ years working with missiles or closely related vehicles.
• Strong foundation in fluid dynamics and aerodynamic principles, with experience optimizing vehicle performance.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 8+ years experience
• Hands-on experience with missile systems, UAS, or high-speed aircraft.
• Familiarity with startup or defense sector environments.
• Background in advanced manufacturing techniques and their impact on aerodynamic design.
• Experience developing aerodynamic solutions for scalable, production-ready systems.
• Experience conducting wind tunnel or flight testing and analyzing experimental data.

Disclosures

This position may require access to information protected under U.S. export control laws and regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Please note that any offer for employment may be conditioned on authorization to receive software or technology controlled under these U.S. export control laws and regulations without sponsorship for an export license.

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offers may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and training, critical skills, and business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in most offers and are considered part of Mach's total compensation package. Mach offers benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and opportunities for professional development.