Aerodynamics Engineer

About Canopy Technologies’ Mission:

Canopy Technologies’ mission is to manufacture humanity’s ascent. Our team advances materials and manufacturing processes to support the most challenging missions in the galaxy: re-entry from space, interplanetary travel, hypersonic weapons, and more. Canopy’s product lines are centered around technical ceramic components needed to withstand heat, corrosive environments, and the harshness of space.

Role Overview:

In this role on the Canopy engineering team, you will be a foundational member of the aerothermal team and working with external customers to refine TPS requirements through modeling and simulation. You will work closely with both the TPS design and manufacturing teams to develop effective TPS solutions for Canopy’s customers with platforms across space and hypersonics. You will join a small core team with combined experience managing nuclear weapons systems, starting companies, creating new materials, and flying things to space. To be successful in this role, you must be self-motivated, thrive in ambiguity, and be able to lead your own projects to completion.

Key Responsibilities

· Engage with external customers to complete trade studies considering aerothermal environment and TPS material response

· Assess ablation and heat transfer for TPS stackups at different levels of fidelity

· Create, mesh, run, and post process computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models

· Responsible for all external and internal flow field simulations

· Calculate pressure, heat flux, and aero buffet/vibration loads for thermal and structures teams

· Participate in the research and development process for new reentry vehicles

· Collaborate cross functionally with design, development, and test groups

· Develop test plans for experimental test campaigns to validate simulation results

· Lead the review of post-flight data and compare the data to pre-flight estimates

· Contribute to the development of proposals and new products that enhance the organization's technical capabilities and support strategic growth objectives

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

· Demonstrated ability to deliver on tight schedules using scrappy and creative solutions

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills with an aptitude for interdisciplinary technical communication

· Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals in chemistry, physics, structures, materials science, and thermodynamics

· Experience of the entire project lifecycle of a spacecraft, from initial concept to mission success

· Graduate degree in a relevant technical field with 5 years of experience performing vehicle-level CFD, preferably applied to launch vehicles and/or reentry systems

· Direct experience with thermal analysis and heat transfer simulations

· Experience with thermal protection system sizing & analysis using standard tools like FIAT, CHAR, CBAero, TPSSizer, MINIVER, and/or LAURA

· Proficiency in Python and industry-standard CFD tools like FUN3D, Star-CCM , ANSYS Fluent, or other equivalent applicable tools

· Exposure to aerothermal wind tunnel and flight testing and instrumentation

· Familiarity with space and defense standards such as but not limited to SMS-S-016, MIL-STD-810, NASA-GSFC-7000 series or other industry equivalent standards for design, analysis, and testing of defense articles or launch vehicles

Preferred Qualifications

· Familiarity with typical spacecraft thermal control technologies (e.g. heat pipes, pumped fluid systems, thermal blankets, optical coatings, etc.)

· Project management or project leadership experience

· Experience performing detailed thermal analysis in programs such as ANSYS static and transient thermal (or equivalent).

· Understanding of TPS manufacturing and integration principles, especially as they related to design for manufacturability/assembly

· Active U.S. Security Clearance (Secret or higher), or the ability to obtain one based on eligibility. This includes meeting background check and other requirements, as required for access to controlled defense-related information and facilities

What We Offer

· Competitive compensation package, including performance bonuses and incentives

· Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

· Retirement savings plan with company contribution

· Paid time off and sick leave

· A collaborative, inclusive, and innovative work environment

· Actual level and base salary determined on a case-by-case basis and could vary depending on education, job-related knowledge and skills, fit with the company, and experience

Canopy Core Values

1. Own the Outcome

2. Act with Integrity and Clarity

3. Decide with Data, Execute Flawlessly

4. Solve Relentlessly, Grow Together

Job Details:

FLSA Classification: Salary Exempt

Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $100,000 - $160,000

Base Location: Littleton, CO

Travel: Up to 25%

Work Environment

· Ability to work in office, lab, and manufacturing environments with occasional exposure to noise, dust, and temperature variations.

· Must be able to lift and carry up to 35 lbs and perform tasks involving standing, walking, bending, and manual assembly.

· Visual acuity required for reading technical drawings, inspecting components, and operating precision instruments.

· Occasional travel to customer or test sites, including outdoor or industrial settings, with adherence to company and OSHA safety protocols.

ITAR Requirements:

To conform to US Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a US Citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Canopy Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer, employment with Canopy Technologies is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Join Us

If you feel you’re qualified for the role, but don’t exactly meet the criteria - please apply! We value diversity and prioritize passion.