Physics Modeling Engineer

About The Company

Zenno develops the most powerful magnetic technologies for space. This is a new class of superconducting systems designed to power the next era of human expansion. Our belief is simple - stable and scalable infrastructure in space will rely on resources already present there.

Zenno is building that future by harnessing one of the fundamental forces of the universe, electromagnetism. Our superconducting technologies enable fuel-free spacecraft positioning, radiation shielding, and electromagnetic acceleration systems for defense, transportation, and industrial activity in space.

The Role

Zenno is seeking a sharp, motivated person to carry out physics modeling and simulation work supporting the development and application of our space technologies.

The work will include astrodynamics, orbital mechanics, spacecraft attitude dynamics and other physics-based modeling of spacecraft and the space environment.

This is a highly independent role. You will be given ownership of technical assignments and will be responsible for taking them from an initial objective through to a completed, defensible result. You will have significant freedom to determine the modeling approach, methods and tools used, while being accountable for the quality and on-time delivery of your work.

Your responsibilities will include

• Own physics modeling and simulation assignments from definition through to delivery.
• Build and run numerical simulations of spacecraft orbits, attitude dynamics and physical interactions in the space environment.
• Translate technical questions into appropriate models, assumptions, calculations and simulation approaches.
• Research unfamiliar areas of physics and engineering as required to solve assigned problems.
• Test assumptions, validate models and perform appropriate sensitivity and sanity checks on results.
• Analyze simulation outputs and draw clear, technically defensible conclusions.
• Clearly document modeling methods, assumptions, limitations and results so that work can be reviewed and reproduced.
• Present findings clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Manage your own technical work, priorities and deadlines, identifying risks or blockers early and taking responsibility for agreed deliverables.

You must have strong physics and mathematical reasoning, good computational skills and the ability to learn unfamiliar technical material quickly.

Experience with Python or another scientific computing language is preferred. You will not be required to use a particular software package or modeling environment and are expected to select tools appropriate to the problem.

Experience with control theory and control systems is required, including controller design, stability analysis, or simulation of feedback-controlled physical systems.

We are looking for someone who combines technical curiosity with strong execution. You should be comfortable working with limited supervision, making technical decisions independently and being accountable for delivering accurate work by agreed deadlines.

This is a full-time, fully onsite position in Torrance, CA. Remote and hybrid work arrangements are not available.

Annual salary: $90,000–$150,000 USD.

Benefits include health insurance and dental insurance.

Reports directly to the Co-founder and Chief Product Officer.

Desired start date: November 20, 2026.