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Graduate Aerodynamics Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Relativity Space

Sr Aerodynamics Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$109K - $150K/yr

Scope and develop aerodynamics databases for ascent and entry including uncertainty quantification ... Graduate degree in engineering or related field * 10+ years relevant experience across 2 or more ...

Relativity Space

Sr Aerodynamics Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$132K - $198K/yr

Scope and develop aerodynamics databases for ascent and entry including uncertainty quantification ... Graduate degree in engineering or related field * 10+ years relevant experience across 2 or more ...

Relativity Space

Sr Aerodynamics Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$132K - $198K/yr

Scope and develop aerodynamics databases for ascent and entry including uncertainty quantification ... Graduate degree in engineering or related field * 10+ years relevant experience across 2 or more ...

Stratolaunch

CFD Engineer

Mojave, CA · On-site +1

... graduate work * Proficiency in CFD meshing techniques using tools such as Pointwise, ANSA, or Link3D to generate high-quality meshes for complex geometries * Strong foundation in aerodynamics ...

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$77K

$94.2K

$121K

How much do graduate aerodynamics jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for graduate aerodynamics in the United States is $94,162.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,000.00 and $98,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much does an aerodynamicist make?

An aerodynamicist's salary varies by experience, location, and industry, but typically ranges from $60,000 to $120,000 annually. Entry-level positions often start around $60,000, while experienced professionals with specialized skills can earn over $100,000. Knowledge of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools and a relevant engineering degree are common requirements.

What kinds of projects and responsibilities can a Graduate Aerodynamics Engineer expect in their first year?

As a Graduate Aerodynamics Engineer, you'll typically be involved in supporting wind tunnel testing, analyzing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) data, and assisting with the design and optimization of aerodynamic components. You'll often work closely with senior engineers, design teams, and sometimes manufacturing, collaborating to ensure aerodynamic performance goals are met. Early on, you may rotate between different projects or departments to gain a broad understanding of the company's processes and technologies. This exposure helps build foundational skills and can lead to more specialized roles as you progress.

What does a Graduate Aerodynamicist do?

A Graduate Aerodynamicist is an entry-level engineer who applies principles of aerodynamics to design, analyze, and improve the performance of vehicles or aircraft. Their work typically involves using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools and wind tunnel testing to optimize shapes for reduced drag and increased efficiency. They collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to solve complex engineering problems and contribute to the development of new technologies in the aerospace, automotive, or motorsport industries. This role often requires strong analytical skills and a solid foundation in fluid mechanics and mathematics.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced aerospace engineers, including senior roles in aerospace companies or defense contractors, can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially with bonuses and stock options. Such compensation typically requires advanced skills, extensive experience, and leadership responsibilities in specialized fields like aerodynamics or propulsion systems.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Graduate Aerodynamics Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graduate Aerodynamics Engineer, you need a solid background in fluid dynamics, mathematics, and engineering principles, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, wind tunnel testing, and data analysis tools is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication skills help you collaborate on complex projects and present technical findings clearly. These skills and qualities are crucial for designing efficient aerodynamic solutions and contributing to innovative engineering advancements.

What is the difference between Graduate Aerodynamics vs Graduate Mechanical Engineer?

AspectGraduate AerodynamicsGraduate Mechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsDegree in Aerospace, Aeronautical, or Mechanical Engineering with focus on aerodynamicsDegree in Mechanical Engineering, often with specialization in design, thermodynamics, or materials
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, aerospace companies, or simulation centersManufacturing plants, design firms, or R&D departments
Industry UsagePrimarily in aerospace, aviation, and defense sectorsBroad industry sectors including automotive, energy, and manufacturing

Graduate Aerodynamics and Graduate Mechanical Engineer roles share foundational engineering skills but differ in focus. Aerodynamics specialists concentrate on airflow, fluid dynamics, and aircraft performance, while Mechanical Engineers have a broader scope including mechanics, materials, and systems design. Both roles are common entry points in engineering careers, often requiring similar educational backgrounds, but their industry applications and daily tasks vary significantly.

What degree do you need to be an aerodynamicist?

To become an aerodynamicist, a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field is typically required, with many roles preferring a master's or doctoral degree for advanced research or specialized positions. Strong skills in physics, mathematics, and computational tools are also important for success in this field.
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Graduate Aerodynamics jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Aerodynamics job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 87% As Needed, 8% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 73% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 25% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,162 per year, or $45.3 per hour.

Aerodynamics Engineer I

Relativity Space

Long Beach, CA • On-site

Other

Re-posted 27 days ago

Relativity Space rating

9.7

Company rating: 9.7 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

1st of 71 rated aerospace companies

Job description

About the Team:  

The Integrated Performance team owns the holistic view of how Terran R comes together, ensuring that every system on the vehicle and ground is capable of achieving our ambitious objectives. The team works across the full launch system, from trajectory design and aerodynamics to reliability analysis and beyond, with direct influence on all parts of the product lifecycle, from conceptual design to post-flight data review. Beyond analysis, team members engage hands-on with hardware and operations, with the mission and authority to drive meaningful programmatic change. With a unique organizational structure, the integrated performance team spans multiple technical domains and embeds directly with partner teams to solve the hardest multi-disciplinary problems. The team operates with a rare scale: large enough to support complex development, yet small enough that individual contributors have meaningful impact.

The Aerodynamics team shapes Relativity's vehicle products by tackling intricate design challenges inherent to reusable launch vehicles. Drawing on a strong foundation in external and compressible flows, the team addresses a wide spectrum of aerodynamic challenges across all flight phases. Leveraging computational fluid dynamics (CFD), wind tunnel testing, reduced order modeling, and flight data, we take a proactive approach to supporting cross-disciplinary design initiatives. Our collaboration with hardware engineers further enables us to overcome design and integration hurdles, ensuring a seamless and efficient development process from concept and through launch.

About the Role: 

  • Develop and execute CFD analyses to solve novel challenges in vehicle entry stability and control
  • Validate CFD approaches and establish CFD best practices for ascent and entry phases of flight
  • Scope and develop aerodynamics databases for ascent and entry including uncertainty quantification from CFD, wind tunnel, and empirical data sources
  • Drive the design of major Terran R system elements - like fins, flaps, and primary structure - to meet criteria for control, stability, heating, and pressure
  • Guide and mentor responsible hardware engineers to ensure hardware meets aerodynamics and system-level requirements
  • Mature Relativity's tools for developing and communicating aerodynamics data, including custom and commercial code, databases, and data processing tools

To be successful in this role, you should be self-motivated, adaptable, and able to contribute significantly to a fast-paced, integrated vehicle program. You should also be able to resolve ambiguity and drive projects to completion. Ideally, you have significant compressible flow, CFD, and high-performance computing (HPC) experience, as well as a proven track record for completing projects successfully in a highly collaborative environment. 

On a weekly basis, you will be performing analysis, developing software tools, and supporting design teams. You will also use your strong organizational skills to properly manage the documentation and communication of your actions, recommendations, and decisions.

About You:  

  • Undergraduate degree in engineering or related field
  • Proficiency in compressible flow
  • Practical engineering experience, e.g., from project teams, internships, or research labs
  • Experience solving challenging technical problems in teams
  • Familiarity with Python or another scripting language like Matlab
  • Exposure to industry-standard CFD tools like FUN3D or Star-CCM+

Nice to Haves, but Not Required:  

  • Graduate degree in engineering or related field
  • Familiarity with hardware design using aerodynamic data
  • Exposure to instrumentation and testing
  • Familiarity with launch vehicles
  • Use of HPC clusters

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