Aerodynamics Computational Software Tools Engineer SpaceX

Aerodynamics Computational Software Tools Engineer
Dynamics | Hawthorne, CA, United States
The Company SpaceX is a US based space technology company founded by its residing CEO and CTO, Elon Musk, the former co-founder of PayPal. The company's goal is to renew a sense of excellence in the space industry by disrupting the current paradigm of complacency and replacing it with innovation and commercialized price points; laying the foundation for a truly space-faring human civilization.
SpaceX builds rockets and spacecraft from the ground up; including electronics, software, vehicle structures, and engines. In-house development includes nearly all flight critical custom components amounting to approximately 85% of our vehicles both by mass and by value. Our development and production efforts represent some of the most dynamic and challenging technology problems seen in any organization.
Our success is driven by a wide variety of engineering perspectives and openness to all great ideas. We pride ourselves on being a meritocracy where employees are defined by their capabilities and contributions, instead of title or tenure. We are actively seeking the best and brightest minds from all industries to continue to build our world class team.
Our employees thrive in a fast-paced engineering ecosystem focused on innovation and high levels of personal responsibility. At SpaceX we cut through the noise and believe in the essentials of hardcore engineering.
We build it, test it, and fly it.

The Department
Dynamics â€" Our Dynamics group focuses on mathematical modeling and environments testing. Their role is to use the latest modeling tools to simulate the environments and loads a vehicle will see in flight in order to provide the best possible design parameters to our design teams. In other words, they provide the initial inputs we use when beginning a design. A good dynamics team lays a strong foundation for the rest of the company.

The Job
Responsibilities
The ideal candidate possesses formal backgrounds in both Aerodynamics (including the application of Computational Fluid Dynamics), and Computer Engineering or Computer Science. A degree in Computer Engineering or Computer Science is not mandatory, but if the candidate does not possess such a degree, then he/she must have a demonstrated ability in the development of CFD and/or FEA codes.
The primary roles of this position are to:

• Perform a diverse array of tasks including explaining/describing the needs and interests of Engineering users, packaging Aerodynamics codes, troubleshooting problems with codes and/or their interaction with the cluster, and providing judgment and direction for further development of the cluster.
• Represent the Aerodynamics group and interfacing with the IT department in the development and maintenance of the High-Performance Computing Cluster.
• Write software tools to enhance, automate, and streamline the Aerodynamic design and analysis workflow.
• Including the development of tools to interface with solvers, datasets, and perform pre- and post-processing steps.
• Interfacing with the upstream providers of design and analysis software, both proprietary and government.

Additional responsibilities may include:

• Preparing, meshing, running, and post processing CFD models.
• Reviewing post-flight data and comparing to pre-flight estimates.
• Preparing wind tunnel models, and collecting and processing of wind tunnel data.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering or related field, and/or degree in Computer Engineering or Computer Science.
• Proficiency in at least one high-level scripting language (besides Unix shells), e.g., Python or Tcl, and MATLAB.
• Familiarity with FORTRAN and C/C++ codes, including configuring and compilation.
• Strong background in GNU/Linux systems, with a robust ability to administer systems without the aid of GUIs
• Good understanding of computer hardware, including microprocessor architecture, buses, networking, and I/O. An overall understanding of the floating-point and memory bandwidth behavior of modern processors and high-performance numerical codes is required.
• A very detail-oriented and systematic mentality. An Engineering approach, even when performing system administration tasks, is a must.
• A deep belief in the value of complete, clear, current, correct documentation of work performed, as well as the ability to write, edit, update, and maintain such documentation.

Preferred skills

• Familiarity with Debian (or Debian-based systems)
• Experience with MPI development and batch queuing systems.
• Experience developing C, C++, and/or FORTRAN solvers

Additional position information
SpaceX offers one of the best environments in the world for employees to learn, build real working systems and tackle exciting challenges every day. We operate in a fun, casual work environment and have great benefits including: competitive salary, stock options, medical/dental insurance and free gym memberships. By joining the SpaceX team, you are not just a part of history, you are making it.
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX 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, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, SpaceX hires only U.S. citizens and U.S. Permanent Residents.
Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should notify the Human Resource Department at (310) 363-6000.

<< Back to Current Openings

Location:	Hawthorne, CA United States