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Aerothermal Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Canopy A&D

Aerothermal Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

In this role on the Canopy engineering team, you will join the aerothermal team and working with external customers to refine TPS requirements through modeling and simulation. You will work closely ...

Canopy A&D

Aerothermal Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$90 - $140/hr

Role Overview In this role on the Canopy engineering team, you will join the aerothermal team and working with external customers to refine TPS requirements through modeling and simulation. You will ...

CANOPY A&D

Aerothermal Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$90K - $140K/yr

In this role on the Canopy engineering team, you will join the aerothermal team and working with external customers to refine TPS requirements through modeling and simulation. You will work closely ...

Inversion

Senior Aerothermal Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$137K - $193K/yr

As the Senior Aerothermal Environments Engineer, you will develop and database the aerothermal environment around our reentry vehicles, combining high-fidelity CFD, engineering-level methods, and ...

Inversion

Senior Aerothermal Engineer

Vista, CA · On-site

$137K - $193K/yr

As the Senior Aerothermal Environments Engineer, you will develop and database the aerothermal environment around our reentry vehicles, combining high-fidelity CFD, engineering-level methods, and ...

Canopy A&D

Aerothermal Engineer

Irvine, CA

In this role on the Canopy engineering team, you will join the aerothermal team and working with external customers to refine TPS requirements through modeling and simulation. You will work closely ...

CANOPY A&D

Aerothermal Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$90K - $140K/yr

In this role on the Canopy engineering team, you will join the aerothermal team and working with external customers to refine TPS requirements through modeling and simulation. You will work closely ...

Industrious Ventures

Aerothermal Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$90 - $140/hr

In this role on the Canopy engineering team, you will join the aerothermal team and working with external customers to refine TPS requirements through modeling and simulation. You will work closely ...

Posted today

Canopy A&D

Aerothermal Engineer

Irvine, CA

In this role on the Canopy engineering team, you will join the aerothermal team and working with external customers to refine TPS requirements through modeling and simulation. You will work closely ...

Relativity Space

Aerothermal Engineer II

Long Beach, CA

$103K - $155K/yr

Guide and mentor responsible hardware engineers to ensure hardware meets aerothermal requirements * Scope and develop aerothermal databases for ascent and entry, including uncertainty quantification ...

Relativity Space

Aerothermal Engineer II

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$103K - $155K/yr

Guide and mentor responsible hardware engineers to ensure hardware meets aerothermal requirements * Scope and develop aerothermal databases for ascent and entry, including uncertainty quantification ...

Inversion

Staff Aerothermal CFD Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$161K - $221K/yr

The Staff Aerothermal Engineer will be responsible for characterizing the aerothermodynamic environment on and around the vehicle with an emphasis on the rarefied flow regime. This role will be a key ...

Inversion

Staff Aerothermal CFD Engineer

Vista, CA · On-site

$161K - $221K/yr

The Staff Aerothermal Engineer will be responsible for characterizing the aerothermodynamic environment on and around the vehicle with an emphasis on the rarefied flow regime. This role will be a key ...

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All JobsAerothermal Engineer JobsAerothermal Engineer Jobs in California

Aerothermal Engineer information

See California salary details

$37.2K

$103.8K

$166.5K

How much do aerothermal engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for aerothermal engineer in California is $103,814.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,765.00 and $120,445.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an aerothermal engineer?

An Aerothermal Engineer specializes in the study of how heat and airflow interact with aerospace structures, such as aircraft, rockets, and propulsion systems. They analyze and optimize thermal performance, ensuring efficiency and safety in high-speed flight and re-entry conditions. Their work involves computational simulations, wind tunnel testing, and material selection to manage extreme temperatures. Aerothermal engineers are crucial in industries like aerospace, defense, and space exploration, where thermal control is essential for performance and structural integrity.

What does an aerothermal engineer do?

Aerothermal Engineers usually work on the thermal and fluid flow analysis of components such as jet engines, turbines, or hypersonic vehicles. On a daily basis, you might perform CFD simulations, analyze test data, propose design improvements, and collaborate with mechanical designers and test engineers to ensure optimal aerothermal performance. The role often involves balancing technical analysis with practical considerations, requiring close teamwork with other engineering disciplines. You may also contribute to design reviews, support prototype testing, and participate in continuous learning to stay updated on emerging technologies. This hands-on, problem-solving environment offers dynamic challenges and the opportunity to make a tangible impact on cutting-edge aerospace projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an aerothermal engineer?

To thrive as an Aerothermal Engineer, you need a solid background in thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer, typically supported by a degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering. Experience with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, thermal analysis tools, and familiarity with industry standards like ASME or ISO certifications are commonly required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication abilities set outstanding candidates apart. These competencies are crucial to designing, analyzing, and optimizing high-performance aerospace systems while ensuring safety and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

What are popular job titles related to Aerothermal Engineer jobs in California?

For Aerothermal Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Aerothermal Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Aerothermal Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Aerothermal Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Aerothermal Engineer job openings:

Aerothermal Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Aerothermal Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,814 per year, or $49.9 per hour.

Aerothermal Engineer

Canopy A&D

Irvine, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

About Canopy Aerospace & Defense
Canopy A&D is built to accelerate the future of advanced materials for space, defense, and maritime systems. Canopy delivers specialized materials and components that carry customers from concept through sustainment. Canopy A&D's advanced signal attenuation technologies and production-scale manufacturing accelerate the fielding of platforms that are faster, cooler, and quieter. Our adaptive approach ensures solutions evolve at the pace of shifting challenges, keeping our customers ahead of the curve.
Role Overview:
In this role on the Canopy engineering team, you will join 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

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 program lifecycle of a spacecraft, from initial concept to mission success
  • Undergraduate degree in a relevant technical field with 2+ 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
  • Familiarity with Python and industry-standard CFD tools like FUN3D, Star-CCM+, ANSYS Fluent, or other equivalent applicable tools

Preferred Qualifications
  • Exposure to aerothermal wind tunnel and flight testing and instrumentation
  • Familiarity with typical spacecraft thermal control technologies (e.g. heat pipes, pumped fluid systems, thermal blankets, optical coatings, etc.)
  • Program management 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
  • Ability to contribute to engineering proposals, driving the conceptualization, trade studies, and technical writing for advanced TPS designs and materials.
  • 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
  • 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

Additional Requirements
  • Must have professional working proficiency reading, writing, and speaking English
  • Ability to work in office, lab, and manufacturing environments with occasional exposure to noise, chemicals, dust, industrial equipment, and temperature variations
  • Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer workstation
  • Frequent use of hands and fingers for data entry, keyboarding, and mouse use
  • Ability to view computer screens for prolonged periods
  • Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and via email
  • Abilityto use a computer to complete assignments
  • Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret security clearance

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required. Management may modify or assign additional duties as needed.
Job Details
Type: Full Time, Exempt (Salaried)
Salary range: $90,000 to $140,000
Reports to: President, Canopy Technologies
Base Location: Littleton, CO onsite M-F or Irvine, CA onsite M-F
Travel: <20% of the time
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, and experience.
Total compensation will also include a comprehensive set of benefits including but not limited to: Company paid employee medical, dental and vision insurance. 401K company match (eligibility required), paid sick leave, paid vacation, paid holidays and discretionary bonuses.
EXPORT CONTROL REQUIREMENTS:
To conform to US Government export regulations, the applicant must be a (i) US Citizen, (ii) lawful permanent resident of the U.S. (aka green card holder), (iii) protected individual as defined by U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or (iv) eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Canopy A&D is an Equal Opportunity Employer, employment with Canopy A&D 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.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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