---
title: 'Simulation and Modeling Engineer at wardstone.space'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/simulation-and-modeling-engineer-wardstone-space-el-segundo-7j963gyyqhar'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-05'
---

# Simulation and Modeling Engineer at wardstone.space

- **Company:** wardstone.space
- **Location:** El Segundo, CA
- **Compensation:** $100k–$160k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-07-13
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-05
- **Apply:** https://jobs.gem.com/wardstone-space/am9icG9zdDrJN1k1eYKtn1AVx_8vbX0L

## Job description

## Overview

Wardstone is looking for a Simulation & Modeling Engineer who will build and own Wardstone’s end-to-end physics models: orbital mechanics, interceptor trajectories, guidance/dynamics, dispersion behavior, aerodynamic models, sensor models, thermal effects, and Monte Carlo analysis. This role is central to Wardstone’s entire engineering process. Your models will define vehicle design and intercept feasibility, ΔV budgets, terminal constraints, survival envelopes, effectiveness, and system-level design trades. You will work directly with the founders GNC, Propulsion, Sensor, and Avionics engineers to connect your models to real test data and ensure every design choice is grounded in physics.

## What You’ll Do

Interceptor Dynamics Modeling

- Build high-fidelity 6DOF models of interceptor trajectories and target maneuvers.
- Model aerodynamic forces, flight regimes (subsonic → hypersonic), and uncertainties.
- Implement full state propagation with drag, atmospheric effects, gravity, and actuator limits. Guidance, Control & Sensor Model Integration
- Integrate GNC algorithms into simulation environments.
- Model perception pipelines: IR signatures, SNR, glint, thermal clutter, and atmospheric attenuation.
- Build closed-loop simulations with perception → guidance → actuation → dynamics → intercept logic. Hailstorm Dispersal Modeling
- Model particle trajectories, dispersal cones, cloud expansion, and lethality envelopes.
- Model impulse delivery mechanisms: blast, thrust, or hybrid dispersal events.
- Work with energetics engineers on momentary high-G propagation and multi-body interactions. Monte Carlo & Probabilistic Analysis
- Run large-scale Monte Carlo simulations to evaluate hit probability, robustness, and margins.
- Develop parameter sweeps for timing, sensing errors, aerodynamic uncertainties, and ΔV constraints.
- Produce data-driven design recommendations for system architecture decisions. Simulation Infrastructure & Visualization
- Build clean, modular simulation tools in MATLAB/Python/C++ for internal engineering teams.
- Develop visualization tools (2D, 3D, orbital views) used for engineering and visual storytelling.
- Maintain code quality, performance, and model usability across the engineering org.

Required Qualifications

- B.S. or M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or similar.
- Strong experience with dynamic simulations (MATLAB, Simulink, Python, C++, Julia, or equivalent).
- Deep understanding of orbital mechanics, flight dynamics, or missile/rocket modeling.
- Experience with numerical methods, ODE/PDE solvers, filtering, integration stability, and optimization.
- Ability to validate simulated results against analytical solutions or experimental data.
- Strong intuition for physics and comfort working with incomplete or noisy data.
- US Person or Lawful Permanent Resident status required.

Nice to Haves

- Experience modeling hypersonic flow, ablation, or high-enthalpy environments.
- Experience with high-speed particle or fragment modeling.
- Experience connecting simulation to hardware-in-the-loop systems.
- Familiarity with CFD tools (OpenFOAM, SU2, ANSYS Fluent).
- Experience with sensor modeling: IR/EO tracking, radar, radiometric models, or synthetic scene generation.
- Experience building custom visualization pipelines or simulation frameworks.

## About wardstone.space

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Wardstone builds a modular, low-cost interceptor platform for air and missile defense, designed to counter threats from Group 4 UAS to medium-range ballistic missiles.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Seed stage; raised $5M)
- **Headquarters**: El Segundo, California, USA
- **Founded**: 2025
- **Founders**: Sebastian Fischer (CEO) and Tobias Fischer

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: Aerospace & Defense, Missile Defense, Space-Based Interceptors
- **Target customers**: U.S. Department of Defense (Space Force, Missile Defense Agency, Air Force Research Labs), allied nations
- **Mission or purpose**: To out-produce, out-innovate, and out-perform adversaries by building a modular interceptor platform that can be mass-produced, rapidly adapted, and fielded at the pace of evolving threats.

## Products & Services
- **Hailstorm (Ground-Based Interceptor)**: A right-sized, modular surface-based interceptor demonstrated in the Mojave (Mach 2.5, 40,000 ft). Uses a large particle cloud (1 km diameter) to kinetically neutralize hypersonic and ballistic missiles, reducing cost and sensing requirements.
- **Space-Based Interceptor Constellation**: Satellites equipped with kinetic interceptors designed to counter hypersonic and ballistic missiles from orbit. Part of the “Golden Dome” concept.
- **Modular Platform Architecture**: Interchangeable components allow mission-specific configuration, rapid upgrades, and parallel production across multiple suppliers.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total Funding — $5M seed round (raised from Nova Threshold, Liquid 2 Ventures, Bow Capital, B5 Capital, Allegis Capital)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Y Combinator (fall 2025 cohort), relationships with AFWERX, Space Systems Command, Air Force Research Labs, Navy Joint Special Operations Command
- **Growth Signals**: Accepted into Y Combinator; first prototype (Hailstorm-Ground) successfully flown; letters of support for a $3M SBIR grant; inbound requests for additional use cases; hiring multiple engineering roles.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Modularity**: Standardized, interchangeable components decouple production from single bottlenecks, enabling surge manufacturing and supply chain resilience.
- **Cost advantage**: Interceptors are designed to be “right-sized” to the threat, drastically reducing per-unit cost compared to traditional “exquisite” interceptors (e.g., THAAD, GMD).
- **Unique kill mechanism**: Large particle cloud increases probability of intercept without requiring precise hit-to-kill, reducing sensor and actuator costs.
- **Incremental path**: Starting with ground-based interceptors before scaling to space-based systems, allowing technology maturation and customer validation.

## Strategic Focus
- Near-term: Deliver ground-based interceptors to fill the “missing middle” threat band (Group 4 UAS to MRBMs) and secure SBIR/IRAD contracts.
- Medium-term: Deploy space-based interceptors as part of the U.S. “Golden Dome” missile defense architecture.
- Continuous improvement: Open architecture to integrate new technologies without redesigning the entire platform.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-driven**: Direct impact on national security and countering hypersonic threats.
- **Early-stage startup**: Opportunity to shape the company’s technology and culture from the ground up.
- **Engineering focus**: Roles span mechanical, electrical, avionics, propulsion, GNC, simulation, and sensing.
- **Compensation & equity**: Competitive salaries ($100k–$160k for engineers) plus equity grants.
- **Location**: El Segundo, CA — a growing aerospace startup hub near LA Air Force Base and Space Force facilities.
- **Work environment**: Likely on-site/hybrid (El Segundo office); YC alumni culture with fast iteration and hands-on testing (e.g., Mojave flight tests).

## Sources
1. [wardstone.space](https://wardstone.space/)
2. [wardstone.space/careers](https://wardstone.space/careers)
3. [wardstone.space/ourstory](https://wardstone.space/ourstory)
4. [spacenews.com](https://spacenews.com/startup-bets-on-new-approach-to-space-based-missile-defense/)
5. [ycombinator.com](https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/wardstone)

## Other roles at wardstone.space

- [RF Sensing Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/rf-sensing-engineer-wardstone-space-el-segundo-sn8m2hqgqmy2) — El Segundo, CA
- [Business Development Intern](https://feeny.ai/job/business-development-intern-wardstone-space-el-segundo-62ac1psa2yb8) — El Segundo, CA
- [Engineering Intern](https://feeny.ai/job/engineering-intern-wardstone-space-el-segundo-rdcvr3c95qf3) — El Segundo, CA
- [Electrical Engineer - Avionics](https://feeny.ai/job/electrical-engineer-avionics-wardstone-space-el-segundo-k8h27tze6sg3) — El Segundo, CA
- [Guidance, Navigation, and Controls Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/guidance-navigation-and-controls-engineer-wardstone-space-el-segundo-af4nyczss525) — El Segundo, CA
- [Propulsion Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/propulsion-engineer-wardstone-space-el-segundo-5ez4q6jh0mr1) — El Segundo, CA
- [Mechanical and Structural Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-and-structural-engineer-wardstone-space-el-segundo-wbe6s5wqvcn0) — El Segundo, CA