Senior Propulsion and Energetics Analyst (Fluids) Verified today

About Inversion Space

Inversion builds advanced reentry systems to deliver payloads anywhere on Earth in under an hour. The company turns Low-Earth Orbit into an on-demand logistics domain, operating through extreme reentry conditions and landing with high precision. Backed by Y Combinator, Spark Capital, and Lockheed Martin Ventures, Inversion works with the U.S. Space Force and NASA on space-based defense and logistics.

The Role

As a Senior Propulsion and Energetics Analyst, you will build simulation toolboxes that advance Inversion's propulsion systems. You will perform fluid and thermal analysis of rocket engines, tanks, and feed systems, developing analysis programs that mature in parallel with hardware maturity from early-stage concept to test-ready design.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform and document fluid and thermal analysis of bipropellant rocket engines, tanks, components, feed systems, and heat exchanges
• Lead analytical modeling of liquid-gas interactions in injector spray to predict atomization, mixing, and thermal non-equilibrium
• Interface with design engineers to communicate analysis results and insights
• Develop analysis program to move design concept forward from early-stage to test-ready
• Size and analyze flow restrictors, flow controllers, PMDs, and baffles
• Work collaboratively with design and test engineers to plan testing that validates key analysis assumptions
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to peers

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent
• 5+ years of experience in fluid analysis of rocket engines, rocket stages, combustion devices, or similar
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret or Top Secret security clearance
• Deeply proficient in all stages of the CFD workflow (mesh generation, setup, convergence, post-processing, iteration, automation)
• Proficiency with StarCCM, CFX, Fluent, COMSOL, or OpenFOAM
• Deep understanding of modeling liquid-gas interactions, multi-component and multi-phase flow, phase change, and conjugate heat transfer
• Demonstrated experience creating custom solvers for CFD simulations
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment
• Ability to communicate complex simulation results to a range of stakeholders

Desired Qualifications

• Master's or Doctorate degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent
• 8+ years of industry experience in fluid analysis of rocket engines, rocket stages, combustion devices, or similar
• Experience customizing CFD solvers to capture complex physics
• Experience with end-to-end CFD simulation of high-temperature, multi-fluid, multi-phase, multi-domain problems
• Experience interpreting test data for validation and anchoring of CFD modeling methods
• Proficiency in MATLAB or Python for creation of post-process automation and analysis tools
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Employment Details

This position requires in-office presence in Playa Vista, CA. The California annual base salary is $137,000 to $193,000, determined by role, level, location, and market data. Individual pay varies based on candidate qualifications, relevant experience, and internal equity.

ITAR Compliance

You must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State to conform to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).