Aerodynamics Engineer Jobs in California
Aerodynamics Engineer jobs in California are concentrated in the greater Los Angeles area, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the Inland Empire, where defense contractors, commercial aerospace firms, and advanced mobility companies sustain year-round demand at every level from early-career to principal engineer. Employers like Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing maintain large California engineering teams and hire consistently across computational fluid dynamics, hypersonics, and UAV aerodynamics. California is among the most active markets in the country for this discipline, reflecting the state's density of aerospace primes, NASA facilities, and emerging electric aviation startups. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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About Valar Atomics
At Valar Atomics, we're redefining what's possible in energy. Our mission is to make clean, high-temperature nuclear power scalable—unlocking abundant energy for industry, hydrogen, and next-generation manufacturing. We are a team of builders, engineers, and operators who believe nuclear energy should be fast to deploy, factory-made, and built for the real world. Our first pilot plant in Orangeville, Utah will demonstrate how advanced nuclear systems and fuel fabrication can power the future. Joining Valar Atomics means becoming part of a company where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level.
The Team
As part of the Engineering organization, Power Conversion develops the technologies that efficiently transform reactor-generated heat into usable electrical power. The team focuses on maximizing system performance, reliability, and commercial viability.
The Role
Valar Atomics is seeking a turbomachinery aerodynamics engineer to join the turbomachinery team and advance power generation capability. In this role, you'll be responsible for the aerodynamic design of cutting-edge turbomachinery for power generation. You'll be working with cross-functional team members to define a manufacturable, high efficiency, robust design. As an early hire in turbomachinery, you will be able to directly influence design decisions on the system architecture.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct meanline and streamline analysis of turbomachinery designs
- Analyze turbomachinery components using 3D CFD
- Conduct trade studies of turbomachinery configurations including stage count, shrouded/unshrouded designs, axial/radial configurations
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
- Experience analyzing turbomachinery (Turbines, Compressors, Turbochargers, Turboexpanders, Blowers, Turbopumps, etc.)
- Experience with meanline and streamline analysis of turbomachinery
- Experience with 3D CFD simulations of turbomachinery
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
- Knowledge of manufacturing, postprocessing, assembly, inspection procedures for turbomachinery
- Experience with supercritical C02
- Experience with unsteady simulations of turbomachinery
- Experience with thermodynamic cycle analysis
- Experience with commercially available turbomachinery design packages (AxStream, Concepts NREC, NPSS OTAC)
What We Offer
- Competitive base salary
- Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced energy company
- Comprehensive medical benefits
- Unlimited PTO
- Free daily lunch and dinner provided onsite
- Generous PPE stipend
- High-impact startup environment with significant ownership and autonomy
- Opportunities for rapid career growth and internal advancement
- Direct collaboration with experienced operators, engineers, and industry leaders
- The opportunity to help build and scale transformative energy technology from the ground up
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Valar Atomics is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.
We are committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment and will provide reasonable accommodation as required by law.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder).
About Valar Atomics
At Valar Atomics, we're redefining what's possible in energy. Our mission is to make clean, high-temperature nuclear power scalable—unlocking abundant energy for industry, hydrogen, and next-generation manufacturing. We are a team of builders, engineers, and operators who believe nuclear energy should be fast to deploy, factory-made, and built for the real world. Our first pilot plant in Orangeville, Utah will demonstrate how advanced nuclear systems and fuel fabrication can power the future. Joining Valar Atomics means becoming part of a company where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level.
The Team
As part of the Engineering organization, Power Conversion develops the technologies that efficiently transform reactor-generated heat into usable electrical power. The team focuses on maximizing system performance, reliability, and commercial viability.
The Role
Valar Atomics is seeking a turbomachinery aerodynamics engineer to join the turbomachinery team and advance power generation capability. In this role, you'll be responsible for the aerodynamic design of cutting-edge turbomachinery for power generation. You'll be working with cross-functional team members to define a manufacturable, high efficiency, robust design. As an early hire in turbomachinery, you will be able to directly influence design decisions on the system architecture.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct meanline and streamline analysis of turbomachinery designs
- Analyze turbomachinery components using 3D CFD
- Conduct trade studies of turbomachinery configurations including stage count, shrouded/unshrouded designs, axial/radial configurations
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
- Experience analyzing turbomachinery (Turbines, Compressors, Turbochargers, Turboexpanders, Blowers, Turbopumps, etc.)
- Experience with meanline and streamline analysis of turbomachinery
- Experience with 3D CFD simulations of turbomachinery
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
- Knowledge of manufacturing, postprocessing, assembly, inspection procedures for turbomachinery
- Experience with supercritical C02
- Experience with unsteady simulations of turbomachinery
- Experience with thermodynamic cycle analysis
- Experience with commercially available turbomachinery design packages (AxStream, Concepts NREC, NPSS OTAC)
What We Offer
- Competitive base salary
- Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced energy company
- Comprehensive medical benefits
- Unlimited PTO
- Free daily lunch and dinner provided onsite
- Generous PPE stipend
- High-impact startup environment with significant ownership and autonomy
- Opportunities for rapid career growth and internal advancement
- Direct collaboration with experienced operators, engineers, and industry leaders
- The opportunity to help build and scale transformative energy technology from the ground up
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Valar Atomics is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.
We are committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment and will provide reasonable accommodation as required by law.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder).
See All 12 Aerodynamics Engineer Jobs in California
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Find Aerodynamics Engineer JobsAerodynamics Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Aerodynamics Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Aerospace & Defense
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in aerodynamics engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a closely related field
- Proficiency in computational fluid dynamics software such as ANSYS Fluent or OpenFOAM
- Experience with wind tunnel testing, data acquisition, and aerodynamic performance analysis
- Familiarity with aerospace industry standards and design tools including CATIA or SolidWorks
- Ability to obtain or maintain a U.S. security clearance for defense-sector roles
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional engineering collaboration
Aerodynamics Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a aerodynamics engineer in California?
Aerodynamics engineering in California does not require a state-issued license to work as an individual contributor, but earning a Professional Engineer license through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists strengthens long-term career prospects. Most California employers require at minimum a bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering. Candidates who pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and accumulate qualifying experience become eligible to pursue full PE licensure, which is valued for senior and lead roles.
Which companies hire aerodynamics engineers in California?
Employers hiring aerodynamics engineers in California right now include Wing, archer, and Northrop Grumman, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of defense primes, commercial aircraft suppliers, and electric aviation startups means hiring is spread across both large established contractors and well-funded emerging companies.
Which California cities have the most aerodynamics engineer jobs?
The cities with the most aerodynamics engineer openings in California are San Jose, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The Los Angeles metro drives the largest share of postings because of the dense cluster of aerospace primes and defense contractors headquartered or operating major facilities there, while the Bay Area adds openings tied to NASA Ames, electric aviation ventures, and autonomous systems companies in the region.
Are there remote aerodynamics engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Aerodynamics engineering relies heavily on physical testing, wind tunnel access, lab equipment, and classified facility work, which limits fully remote arrangements. About 50% of aerodynamics engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those tend to be analytical or simulation-heavy roles focused on computational fluid dynamics modeling rather than hands-on testing work.
How can I get hired as a aerodynamics engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an internship or co-op at a California aerospace prime or defense contractor while still completing a degree, as companies like Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin run structured early-career programs at their California sites. New graduates can also target associate aerodynamics engineer or stress analyst roles as lateral entry points. Building a portfolio of CFD simulation projects, contributing to university rocketry or SAE Aero Design teams, and passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam all give California candidates a measurable edge when competing for first roles.
Where can I find and apply to aerodynamics engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to aerodynamics engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find the roles that fit your experience and specialization and apply directly from each listing.
See All 12 Aerodynamics Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Aerodynamics Engineer Jobs