Flight Sciences Software Engineer

Department: Airframe

Location: San Francisco

Compensation: $185K – $215K

Employment Type: FullTime

ABOUT US:

Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company building a faster, more connected future. Our mission is to democratize high-speed flight by making supersonic travel flexible, accessible, and sustainable. We believe that rapid, on-demand, point-to-point global mobility will become the new standard for moving people and goods across the planet. To achieve this, we are integrating our advanced airframe and engine technologies—which include Duality™, our proprietary dual-use propulsion system—with a new flight operations model to make supersonic transport as efficient and economical as commercial air travel is today. In the near term, we are developing adaptable, high-speed systems to close aircraft performance gaps for the United States government.

WHO WE ARE:

We’re a team of passionate engineers dedicated to advancing aerospace. We’re generalists with specialist depth, united by a flat structure and a shared obsession with building things that work well. We move fast, stay pragmatic, and let engineering excellence speak louder than hierarchy.

WHO YOU ARE:

You are a software engineer who enjoys building robust engineering tools that directly impact hardware design. You thrive at the intersection of software and mechanical engineering, and you’re comfortable collaborating with structural, loads, and aero teams to translate physics into scalable, reliable code.

You think in systems, care deeply about performance and usability, and take pride in writing clean, well-structured Python that engineers trust for critical design decisions.

You’re motivated by hard technical problems—whether that’s implementing aeroelastic solution sequences, building composite stress analysis tools, or architecting databases that make complex loads data accessible and actionable.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

You will work closely with system owners across loads, flight dynamics, and structures to design and build the internal software backbone that enables multidisciplinary design optimization across the aircraft. Your tools will directly shape how we analyze, iterate, and converge on flight-ready hardware.

• Develop and maintain Python-based stress analysis templates, including composite plate buckling, classical laminate theory (CLT), and composite failure theory implementations

• Create and own a scalable loads database system that makes loads analysis data readily accessible to stress analysts and design teams

• Implement aeroelastic solution sequences as part of a custom-built loads analysis tool

• Build reusable, well-documented libraries that enable multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) workflows

• Partner closely with mechanical and aerospace engineers to translate analysis methods into production-quality software

• Continuously improve performance, reliability, and automation of internal engineering toolchains

• Build flight dynamics simulation tools and develop interfaces for analysts across GNC, loads, and flight dynamics

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

• 5+ years of experience in software engineering, development, or related field

• Substantial experience in Python, including building engineering or scientific computing tools. Familiarity with Fortran is a plus

• Background or familiarity in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical discipline

• Ambition to work in a fast-paced environment

PERKS & BENEFITS:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

• 401(k) program and transparent stock option plan

• Self-managed and flexible time-off policy, including PTO, paid holidays, and sick time

• Flexible work environment

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

At Astro Mechanica, we highly value in-office work to foster collaboration and strengthen our company culture. We consider working in the office five days a week an essential part of the employee's role.

Astro Mechanica is an equal opportunity employer. We proudly recruit and hire a diverse workforce and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.