Rainmaker is pioneering a modern cloud seeding system to solve water scarcity and inclement weather problems. We develop and incorporate radar validation, weather-resistant UAS, numerical weather modeling, and sustainable cloud seeds into an effective precipitation enhancement solution.
The Engineering team at Rainmaker works on our UAS, dispersion payload, and in-situ/remote sensing systems. If you are interested in working in an extremely innovative and fast-paced environment, where your work directly makes an impact and difference in our operational system, this is a fantastic opportunity.
About the RoleWe are seeking a highly hands-on Mechanical/Aerospace Research Engineer with deep expertise in aerosol science, multiphase flow, and compressible fluid dynamics. In this role, you will bridge the gap between cloud physics and high-performance fluid systems, designing hardware that utilizes high-velocity gas dynamics to both fragment nanoparticle agglomerates and atomize liquid precursors into submicron aerosols. You will tackle complex mechanical challenges to efficiently disperse cohesive dry powders and ultra-fine droplets, managing complex mass-transfer and particle/droplet momentum while strictly adhering to aerospace SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) constraints.
Key ResponsibilitiesHigh-Velocity Nozzle Design: Design, machine, and test custom Convergent-Divergent (Laval) nozzles to achieve controlled gas expansion for both liquid filament breakup and high-shear solid deagglomeration.
Multiphase Dispersion: Develop and optimize systems for the simultaneous or alternating dispersion of complex liquid aerosols and dry-powder "seeds" using high-velocity gas streams.
Hardware Prototyping: Build mechanical dry-powder micro-feeders, liquid delivery architectures, and aerosol generators from the ground up, utilizing high-pressure gas supply systems.
Fluid/Mechanical Architecture: Develop the pneumatic and fluidic routing systems (valves, regulators, and micro-channels) required to maintain specific pressure ratios necessary for choked flow and stable supersonic jets.
UAS Integration: Adapt benchtop aerosol generation concepts into lightweight, battery-efficient payloads capable of surviving flight vibrations and high aerodynamic shear.
Rapid Iteration: Work collaboratively to evaluate hardware performance and rapidly iterate nozzle geometries based on empirical droplet-size and particle-size data.
Required QualificationsBS, MS, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
Approximately 5 years of hands-on experience in mechanical engineering, specifically focused on fluid dynamics, multiphase flow (gas-liquid/gas-solid), or atomization.
Proven experience in Mach number optimization, internal nozzle flow, and the physics of choked flow conditions.
Proven experience physically building and troubleshooting fluidic or pneumatic hardware (e.g., high-velocity gas jets, Laval nozzles, precision sprayers, or powder dispersers).
Understanding of droplet dynamics and breakup regimes (e.g., Weber number effects) and techniques for nanoparticle deagglomeration.
Strong CAD proficiency (SolidWorks, Fusion 360, etc.) and hands-on hardware prototyping experience, including CNC machining and general fabrication.
Preferred / Bonus QualificationsHigh-Speed Flow Characterization: Experience with the analysis of high-velocity particulate exhaust, liquid-jet disintegration, or supersonic multiphase flows.
Advanced Particle & Droplet Dispersion: Familiarity with kinetic aerosolization techniques where liquid or solid phases are accelerated to high velocities for fragmentation or dispersion.
Computational Modeling: Experience with CFD (e.g., ANSYS Fluent, COMSOL) to model droplet/particle trajectories, velocity lag, and shock-wave interactions in high-speed plumes.
Aerosol Instrumentation: Familiarity with standard analytical tools such as Malvern Spraytec, SMPS, or optical particle counters for characterizing both sub-micron liquid and solid aerosols.
Basic proficiency in electronics prototyping (Arduino, Raspberry Pi) and software/scripting (Python) for hardware control and data acquisition.
Rainmaker is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Rainmaker 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, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Rainmaker is pioneering a modern cloud seeding system to solve water scarcity and inclement weather problems. We develop and incorporate radar validation, weather-resistant UAS, numerical weather modeling, and sustainable cloud seeds into an effective precipitation enhancement solution.
The Engineering team at Rainmaker works on our UAS, dispersion payload, and in-situ/remote sensing systems. If you are interested in working in an extremely innovative and fast paced environment, where your work directly makes an impact and difference in our operational system, this is a fantastic opportunity.
In this role you will be reporting directly to the Lead Mechanical Engineer and will be working on mission critical subsystems for our UAS platform.
What You'll DoRapid Hardware Prototyping: Design and build functional prototypes for UAS subsystems, iterating quickly based on flight test feedback and mission requirements.
Test fixture design: Help conceptualize, design, build, and run test fixtures for prototype components.
FEA: Work with mechanical engineers to define loading and boundary conditions, set up FEA studies, run and validate results.
Documentation: Write technical documentation, prepare fabrication and assembly data for manufacturers.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams: Electrical engineers, software engineers, and manufacturing
Required QualificationsExperience with CAD (Solidworks required)
Solidworks FEA experience, Linear Static, Linear Dynamic, Nonlinear Dynamic, Thermal.
Experience with basic manufacturing/prototyping using 3D printers
Sheet metal design and manufacturing experience (preferred)
Past record of having taken a product from the conceptual to production stage (Preferred)
Cross functional ability to work with multiple teams (Electrical and Software)
Rainmaker is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Rainmaker 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, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Rainmaker is pioneering a modern cloud seeding system to solve water scarcity and inclement weather problems. We develop and incorporate radar validation, weather-resistant UAS, numerical weather modeling, and sustainable cloud seeds into an effective precipitation enhancement solution.
The Engineering team at Rainmaker works on our UAS, dispersion payload, and in-situ/remote sensing systems. If you are interested in working in an extremely innovative and fast paced environment, where your work directly makes an impact and difference in our operational system, this is a fantastic opportunity.
What You'll DoCollaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop and refine aerodynamic designs for aviation vehicles operating in extreme weather conditions
Conduct computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and analyses to assess aerodynamic performance and behavior
Design, optimize, and evaluate vehicle configurations for various deployment scenarios and endurance requirements
Contribute to wind tunnel testing and experimental data analysis to validate CFD predictions
Participate in the development and implementation of innovative aerodynamic solutions
Work closely with other engineering disciplines to ensure manufacturing viability of aerodynamic solutions and translate designs to working prototypes
Required QualificationsBachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related field (Or 4+ years of experience as a substitute)
2+ years of relevant experience in aerodynamics and aerospace engineering
Proficiency in computational fluid dynamics (CFD; Ansys Preferred) software and tools
Proficiency in CAD (Solidworks Preferred)
Experience in composite manufacturing techniques (Required)
Strong understanding of aerodynamics principles and concepts
Familiarity with aerodynamic design and analysis techniques for high loading and extreme weather applications
Solid programming skills (Python, MATLAB, etc.) for data analysis and modeling
Effective communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
Rainmaker is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Rainmaker 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, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
