Aerodynamics PhD - Engineering Expert

Obsidian; Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Obsidian is seeking a senior aerodynamics expert to build a benchmark of the hardest reasoning questions in the field. You will author original, free-response engineering problems grounded in real industry scenarios and write expert-level solutions for each.

You will validate difficulty by running tests against three frontier language models until at least one fails, contributing to state-of-the-art AI benchmarking in aerospace engineering.

Qualifications

• PhD in Aerospace Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering with a thermofluids/aerodynamics specialization, plus 5+ years of hands-on professional experience in external aerodynamics, CFD, wind tunnel testing, propulsion, or vehicle aerodynamics.
• Backgrounds in rocket/satellite propulsion, structural/aeroelastic FEM, or wind-loads-on-buildings do not map to the taxonomy needed for this role.
• Candidates from well-known/blue-chip employers preferred.

Responsibilities

• Author original, free-response engineering problems grounded in real industry scenarios.
• Write a complete expert-level solution for each problem.
• Validate difficulty by running it against three frontier language models until at least one fails.

Skills

External aerodynamics

CFD

Wind tunnel testing

Propulsion

Vehicle aerodynamics

Education

PhD in Aerospace Engineering

Job description

We're looking for a senior aerodynamics expert to help build a benchmark of the hardest reasoning questions in the field — questions specifically designed to be difficult enough that today's most capable AI models still get them wrong. You'll author original, free-response engineering problems grounded in real industry scenarios, write a complete expert-level solution for each, and validate difficulty by running it against three frontier language models until at least one fails.

Requirements: PhD in Aerospace Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering with a thermofluids/aerodynamics specialization, plus 5+ years of hands‑on professional/industry experience in external aerodynamics, CFD, wind tunnel testing, propulsion, or vehicle aerodynamics. Backgrounds in rocket/satellite propulsion, structural/aeroelastic FEM, or wind-loads-on-buildings do not map to the taxonomy needed for this role. Candidates from well‑known/blue‑chip employers preferred.