Aero-Thermal Engineer

Role: Aero-Thermal Engineer

Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India (On-site)

Employment type: Full-time

Industry: Space Technology

About Catalyx Space:

Catalyx Space is building the world's best reentry systems. Our reusable ReX vehicles return payloads from orbit at unprecedented scale, up to 12 tons and 60m³ of cargo, while operating the full mission lifecycle from launch to recovery. Our core innovation is a Origami-inspired deployable heat shield that combines the scalability of an inflatable system with the robustness of a rigid structure. Built from commercial off-the-shelf components, it enables the world's widest heat shields, the largest payload return volumes, and a scalable pathway for returning everything from commercial cargo to future space nuclear assets.

Responsibilities:

• Perform aero-thermal CFD simulations for reentry heating environments.
• Model aerodynamic heating, ablation, and material response under hypersonic conditions.
• Define aero-thermal boundary conditions and load environments for structures and flight dynamics teams.
• Support thermal protection system (TPS) design, analysis, and validation.
• Develop thermal models for spacecraft orbital phases.
• Generate heating footprints, load maps, and thermal margins for mission design.
• Collaborate with mechanical and materials teams on TPS material selection and structural integration.
• Contribute to design reviews, verification, and testing of thermal protection systems.
• Guide and mentor responsible hardware engineers to ensure hardware meets aerothermal requirements.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Experience with high-temperature fabrics and woven composites.
• 5–10 years of experience in hypersonic, supersonic, reentry, or rocketry external flow-field aerothermodynamic analysis.
• Strong knowledge of high-fidelity hypersonic CFD.
• Strong knowledge of thermal-chemical non-equilibrium flows.
• Experience integrating ground & flight test data into aerothermal vehicle models.
• Experience conducting a comprehensive CFD campaign from early design through to first flight.
• Experience with conceptual, preliminary, and final design/analysis of thermal protection systems.
• Proficiency in uncertainty quantification and relevant mathematical models.
• Hands-on experience with arc-jet or plasma wind tunnel test correlation to CFD.
• Proficiency in Python, C++, MATLAB, or similar languages for simulation workflows.

Nice to Have:

• Involvement in planning, leading, and/or post-processing plasma wind tunnel campaigns.
• Background in designing hypersonic reentry vehicles.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, prototyping environment with rapid iteration.
• Prior flight heritage — your work has contributed to space hardware.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Willingness to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed.

Compensation & benefits:

• Competitive salary (details will be shared with shortlisted candidates), 
• health insurance
• Provident fund.

How to apply:

Apply via Zoho Recruit: https://catalyxspace.zohorecruit.in/jobs/Careers/193193000003204018/Engineering-Program-Manager?source=CareerSite

We only contact candidates from @catalyx.space emails. No fees are required at any stage of our hiring process.

Equal Opportunity: Catalyx Space is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on any protected characteristic.