ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Aerodynamics Engineer Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Blue Origin

Aerothermal Engineer II - New Glenn

Denver, CO · On-site

$90K - $127K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Strong aerodynamic fundamentals and intuition through multiple fight regimes (subsonic, transonic ... MS or higher degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering * Experience modeling rocket plume ...

Executive Recruiting Group

Senior CAD Lofstman

Boulder, CO · On-site

$28 - $38.75/hr

Provide geometricmodelsto engineering disciplines for downstream analysis (e.g.aerodynamic CFD simulations, Finite Element Modeling,MassProperties analysis, systemsspatialintegrationandseparation ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsAerodynamics Engineer JobsAerodynamics Engineer Jobs in Colorado

Aerodynamics Engineer information

See Colorado salary details

$81K

$99K

$127.2K

How much do aerodynamics engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for aerodynamics engineer in Colorado is $99,013.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,300.00 and $103,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Aerodynamics Engineer vs Aerospace Engineer?

AspectAerodynamics EngineerAerospace Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Aeronautical EngineeringBachelor's or Master's in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related engineering fields
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, wind tunnels, simulation software, aircraft or vehicle testing sitesDesign, development, testing of aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems
Industry UsagePrimarily in aeronautics, automotive, and defense sectors focusing on airflow and performanceBroader aerospace sector including aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and defense systems

While both roles require similar educational backgrounds and often work in related environments, Aerodynamics Engineers focus specifically on airflow and performance optimization, whereas Aerospace Engineers have a broader scope including design and development of entire aerospace systems.

What does an aerodynamics engineer do?

To achieve flight, heavier-than-air objects like planes or rockets must conform to certain principles of aerodynamics. Aerodynamics is the study of the motion of air and its interaction with solid objects. An aerodynamics engineer tests aerospace designs, such as aircraft bodies and propulsion systems to ensure they meet all aerodynamic specifications and conform to the physical laws of aerodynamics. Your duties and responsibilities include designing mathematical models and simulations to test designs before firms construct prototypes or full products. You also work to improve the efficiency of existing designs.

How much do aerodynamics engineers make?

Aerodynamics engineers typically earn a median annual salary of around $80,000 to $120,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Senior roles or those working in aerospace or defense industries can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $150,000. Skills in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and proficiency with simulation tools can also influence compensation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an aerodynamics engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Aerodynamics Engineer, you need strong knowledge of fluid dynamics, computational modeling, and a degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering. Familiarity with tools like CFD software (e.g., ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM), wind tunnel testing, and experience with CAD systems are typically required. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are key soft skills that help in cross-functional teamwork and innovative design. These skills and qualities are vital for optimizing designs, ensuring safety, and advancing aerodynamic performance in various industries.

What are some common challenges aerodynamics engineers face when collaborating with multidisciplinary teams?

Aerodynamics Engineers often work closely with professionals from structural engineering, manufacturing, and systems integration. One common challenge is balancing aerodynamic performance with structural and cost constraints, which requires clear communication and compromise. Additionally, integrating feedback from different teams while ensuring that aerodynamic goals are met can be complex and requires strong project management skills. Regular meetings and effective use of simulation tools help streamline the collaboration process.
More about Aerodynamics Engineer jobs

What are popular job titles related to Aerodynamics Engineer jobs in Colorado?

For Aerodynamics Engineer jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Aerodynamics Engineer jobs in Colorado look for?

The top searched job categories for Aerodynamics Engineer jobs in Colorado are:

What cities in Colorado are hiring for Aerodynamics Engineer jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most Aerodynamics Engineer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Aerodynamics Engineer jobs in CO?

For Aerodynamics Engineer jobs in CO, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Aerodynamics Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Aerodynamics Engineer job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Part Time. Highlights an 93% In-person, and 7% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $99,013 per year, or $47.6 per hour.

Mechanical Engineer, Space Based Interceptors (Senior - Staff)

True Anomaly

Denver, CO • On-site

$107K - $142K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 28 days ago

Job description

Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.
OUR MISSION
True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors - enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.
OUR VALUES
  • Be the offset. We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.
  • What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.
  • It's the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together.

YOUR MISSION
The next generation of Space Based Interceptors demands hardware that performs flawlessly at hypersonic speeds, survives extreme thermal and aerodynamic environments, and delivers precision intercept against the most advanced threats ever fielded. True Anomaly is building that hardware - and we are looking for engineers who want to be part of it.
As a Mechanical Engineer at True Anomaly, you will play a critical role in designing and developing flight hardware for some of the most technically demanding programs in the defense aerospace industry. From interceptor systems and kill vehicles to hypersonic flight vehicles, you will engineer mechanical systems that must perform flawlessly in extreme thermal, aerodynamic, and high-g environments - building the hardware that matters most when it counts.
RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Serve as technical authority and subject matter expert in Space Based Interceptors and hypersonic vehicle mechanical design, providing engineering leadership across interceptor, kill vehicle, and hypersonic flight vehicle programs.
  • Own and drive the full mechanical architecture of flight vehicle structures and systems - from system-level requirements definition and concept development through qualification, flight certification, and lessons learned capture.
  • Define structural design philosophy, sizing criteria, and margins of safety for flight vehicle primary and secondary structures across high-dynamic-pressure, high-g maneuver, and thermally coupled hypersonic flight environments.
  • Lead the design and development of guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) hardware and seeker packaging architectures, establishing integration standards for precision optical and RF sensor assemblies within highly constrained kill vehicle and interceptor envelopes.
  • Own the thermal protection system (TPS) design strategy for hypersonic and re-entry flight vehicles, including material selection, panel and tile integration architecture, aeroheating-driven structural trades, and qualification approach for ablative, ceramic, and composite TPS systems.
  • Lead mechanical integration of propulsion subsystems, including solid rocket motor structural interfaces, divert and attitude control system (DACS) packaging, nozzle and TVC structural design, and cross-discipline coordination with propulsion engineers to ensure system-level compliance.
  • Define and maintain vehicle-level mechanical interface control documents (ICDs), mass properties reports, and configuration baselines across program milestones.
  • Chair and lead formal vehicle design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR) and drive closure of technical risks, RFIs, and subsystem interface actions across the engineering team.
  • Establish and enforce GD&T standards, drawing conventions, and CAD model management practices across the mechanical engineering team.
  • Collaborate with systems engineering, aerodynamics, thermal, GN&C, and propulsion teams to derive and flow down mechanical requirements, perform requirements verification, and support IV&V activities.
  • Develop and approve structural and environmental qualification and acceptance test plans, witness testing, and resolve anomalies and non-conformances against program requirements.
  • Leverage spacecraft and space environment design expertise - including precision mechanisms, electronics packaging, and launch load structural design - to inform cross-domain solutions and bring asymmetric technical advantage to Space Based Interceptors and hypersonic programs.
  • Provide technical mentorship and career development guidance to junior and mid-level mechanical engineers, building team capability and domain expertise in Space Based Interceptors and hypersonic systems.
  • Partner with program management and business development to support proposal efforts, schedule and resource planning, and new program captures in Space Based Interceptors and hypersonic domains.

QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
  • 7-15+ years of professional experience in mechanical design, with the majority spent on Space Based Interceptors, hypersonic vehicle, or high-performance flight system programs.
  • Demonstrated expertise in flight vehicle structural design for high-dynamic-pressure, thermally coupled, and high-g flight environments, including experience across multiple interceptor, kill vehicle, or re-entry system programs.
  • Extensive hands-on experience with guidance and seeker packaging architecture, including precision optical or RF sensor integration, alignment and retention design, vibration isolation, and EMI management within kill vehicle or interceptor envelopes.
  • Deep experience with TPS design and high-temperature materials, including ablative, ceramic, and composite systems, and ownership of TPS qualification approaches for hypersonic or re-entry applications.
  • Proven experience leading mechanical integration of propulsion subsystems, including solid rocket motor interfaces, DACS packaging, and TVC structural design, with full cross-discipline coordination responsibility.
  • Expert-level proficiency in NX (Siemens) and/or SolidWorks, including complex multi-subsystem vehicle assemblies, configuration management, and CAD team leadership.
  • Mastery of GD&T principles, with experience defining and enforcing drawing and model standards across a program or organization.
  • Proven track record of leading flight vehicle hardware programs from concept through test or flight certification, including full ownership of technical risk and schedule.
  • Experience chairing or leading formal vehicle design reviews at the subsystem or full vehicle level.
  • Strong familiarity with relevant defense and aerospace standards (e.g., MIL-SPEC, MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-1540, AIAA S-110) and their application to design, analysis, and test.
  • Experience with configuration management, MES, and PLM tools (e.g., TeamCenter, Windchill) at a program leadership level.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical topics to executive, program, and customer audiences.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
  • Master's degree or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
  • 10+ years of experience specifically in interceptor systems, kill vehicles, or hypersonic flight vehicle mechanical design, with multiple programs delivered to flight test or operational fielding.
  • Experience as a lead mechanical engineer or chief engineer on a Space Based Interceptors or hypersonic program, with ownership of vehicle-level mechanical architecture and cross-subsystem integration.
  • Deep experience with kill vehicle or hit-to-kill interceptor hardware, including ultra-mass-constrained structures, precision seeker alignment under vibration and thermal loading, and flight-critical deployment or divert mechanism design.
  • Experience with hypersonic flight vehicle aeroshell design, including TPS panel integration, structural joint design under aeroheating, and ablative material qualification.
  • Background in spacecraft or satellite mechanical design, with the ability to apply space environment principles - precision mechanisms, electronics packaging, launch load structures - as cross-domain technical leverage on Space Based Interceptors and hypersonic programs.
  • Familiarity with structural analysis and FEA methods (e.g., NASTRAN, Ansys) and demonstrated ability to guide and review analysis performed by the broader engineering team.
  • Experience supporting business development, proposal writing, and new program captures in missile defense or hypersonic domains, including DARPA, MDA, or Air Force Research Laboratory programs.
  • Background working in a startup or high-growth aerospace and defense company, with experience scaling engineering teams and processes under program constraints.
  • Active U.S. security clearance (Secret or TS/SCI), or ability and willingness to obtain one.

COMPENSATION
  • Base Salary: $125,000 - $255,000
  • Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Work Location-Successful candidates will be located near Denver or Long Beach.
  • Work environment-the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
  • Physical demands-the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

This position will be open until it is successfully filled. To submit your application, please follow the directions below. #LI-Onsite
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us.

Apply