Senior Missile Aerodynamics Engineer

Senior Missile Aerodynamics Engineer – nou Systems, Inc.

Join to apply for the Senior Missile Aerodynamics Engineer role at nou Systems, Inc.

Base pay range: $/yr - $/yr

Nou Systems, Inc. (nSI) is now officially a 100% ESOP company. We value teamwork and collaboration, and this transition allows us to take that commitment to a new level. nSI empowers our customers by supplying products, services, and expertise with powerful, data‑driven insights that transform defense systems and improve capabilities. We build systems that solve our nation’s most challenging defense problems in an enjoyable, stimulating environment.

We seek talented builders with curiosity, strong fundamentals, and an engineering‑first mindset.

• Develop best‑in‑class interceptors around our patented interferometric RF seeker technology for low‑cost, high‑performance surface‑to‑air missile applications.
• Architect, prototype, and implement aerodynamic designs for highly maneuverable, small‑diameter (120 mm and lower) interceptor airframes.
• Shape optimal airframe geometries, inform control surface and propulsion integration, define the flight envelope from launch to endgame, and develop integrated aerodynamic solutions that push boundaries at low cost in contested environments.
• Span the full aerodynamic design space—from conceptual shaping through detailed CFD analysis and flight validation. Handle shocks, stability, moments, meshing, and boundary layers.
• Interface directly with guidance, manufacturing, and structures experts to exploit seeker performance to the fullest.
• Design adaptive aerodynamic configurations that maintain stability and control throughout the flight envelope and robust solutions across varied atmospheric conditions, threat sets, and engagement scenarios.
• Translate aerodynamics concepts from whiteboard sketches to CFD to flight tests in months, not years.

• Master’s degree minimum in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related technical field.
• Seven years of full‑time professional experience in aerodynamics and flight vehicle design roles.
• Must possess or be able to obtain an active Secret Security Clearance.

• Modern aerodynamic and aero‑control design methodologies, including wave drag minimization and control surface optimization from baseline designs or from scratch.
• High‑fidelity CFD analysis and validation techniques.
• Rapid, efficient execution of testing to confirm analysis.
• Aerodynamic database development for 6‑DoF simulations.
• Real‑world implementation of aerodynamic designs with launcher and manufacturing constraints.
• Impact of aerodynamic choices on platform cost, other subsystems, and integration/manufacturing complexity.

• Deep understanding of compressible flow physics, shock‑boundary layer interactions, and aerodynamic heating.
• Sufficient technical expertise to understand the impact of seeker integration, control actuator placement, propulsion system selection, structural requirements, and thermal management on aerodynamic performance.
• Proficiency in rapid prototyping of aerodynamic configurations from concept through flight test.
• Demonstrated ability to develop aerodynamic solutions from first principles for various flight regimes, including supersonic flight.
• Strong computational and experimental background.
• Experience with aerodynamic design in complex, multi‑body scenarios.

• ANSYS Fluent, CFD++, or similar high‑fidelity CFD packages for aerodynamic analysis.
• Experience with automated meshing and design optimization workflows.
• Familiarity with aerodynamic shape optimization tools (SU2, OpenMDAO, or similar).

• Experience with small‑diameter supersonic missile platforms.
• Published work in aerodynamics and fluid dynamics conferences or journals.
• Direct experience taking an aerodynamic design from concept through flight testing and/or fielding.

Since its founding in 2012, nou Systems has built a reputation for excellence in innovative engineering, prototype development, and technical and professional services across missile defense, cybersecurity, test range…