Senior UAV Airframe & Aerodynamics Designer

SkyCan Systems; Toronto; On-site; CAD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

SkyCan Systems is seeking a Senior UAV Airframe & Aerodynamics Designer to drive conceptual and preliminary aircraft configurations. You will size geometries, build aero models, and evaluate range, endurance, and payload tradeoffs, coordinating with multiple teams to optimize performance.

Join a fast-growing defence tech company with a Canadian manufacturing footprint and a focus on secure supply chains. A strong background in aircraft design and certification awareness is essential.

Qualifications

• 7–12 years in aircraft conceptual design, aerodynamics, or performance engineering.
• Experience taking a configuration from concept through preliminary design for downstream teams.
• CGP security assessment eligibility is required or asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead conceptual and preliminary UAV configuration design across SkyCan's programs.
• Generate aerodynamic models and aero databases; assess propulsion placement and sensor payloads.
• Model range, endurance, climb, cruise, and payload-range tradeoffs for multiple propulsion architectures.
• Own weight and balance, CG envelope definition, and mass budgeting.
• Provide aero and performance data to 6-DOF flight dynamics models; support GNC development.

Skills

UAV design

Aerodynamics

Performance modeling

Mass properties

Flight dynamics

Propulsion integration

Regulatory awareness

Education

MASc or BASc in aerospace/mechanical engineering

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

CFD tools

Panel/VLM methods

XFLR5 / AVL

Job description

Senior UAV Airframe & Aerodynamics Designer

Flight Sciences — Conceptual Design, Aerodynamics & Performance

REPORTS TO

Head of Systems

DIVISION

R&D Department

EMPLOYMENT TYPE

Full-time, permanent

WORK ARRANGEMENT

Onsite by default, with limited hybrid flexibility depending on program phase and lab needs.

SECURITY REQUIREMENT

Must be eligible for security assessment under the Controlled Goods Program (CGP).

ABOUT SKYCAN

SkyCan Systems Inc. is a Canadian defence technology company building sovereign unmanned systems capabilities to protect Canada and its allies. Drawing on platforms proven in frontline operations in Ukraine, SkyCan is establishing Canadian manufacturing capacity to deliver operationally relevant systems backed by Canadian and allied supply chains. The company’s focus is on combining combat-proven technology with domestic production, secure supply, and long-term support to strengthen Canada’s defence industrial base and serve allied defence requirements. Our manufacturing facility is in Central Ontario, supported by a satellite office in Toronto. We are scaling from a small engineering core to a full production organization.

THE ROLE

This role leads conceptual and preliminary UAV configuration design across SkyCan's platform programs, covering sizing, geometry definition, and configuration trade studies. You will generate aerodynamic models and aero databases, model range, endurance, climb, cruise, and payload-range tradeoffs, and own weight and balance, CG envelope definition, and mass budget tracking.

You will provide aero and performance data inputs to the 6-DOF flight dynamics model, evaluate propulsion system impacts on airframe geometry and mission capability across electric and combustion architectures, and coordinate with Airframe & Mechanical, Hardware, and Software & Perception.

WHAT YOU'LL OWN

• Conceptual design and configuration:Lead conceptual and preliminary UAV configuration design — sizing, geometry definition, and configuration trade studies — across SkyCan's platform programs. Evaluate mission-driven design options across range, endurance, payload, and propulsion architecture, and produce configuration drawings.
• Aerodynamics:Generate aerodynamic models — lift/drag polars, stability and control derivatives — and build aero databases using panel/VLM methods and CFD as required. Assess aero impacts of propulsion placement, sensor payloads, and structural constraints.
• Performance engineering:Model range, endurance, climb, cruise, and payload-range tradeoffs across multiple propulsion architectures. Produce performance budgets and mission analysis outputs for program reviews.
• Mass properties and configuration budgets:Own weight and balance calculations, CG envelope definition, and mass budget tracking, coordinated with Airframe & Mechanical and with the Head of Systems on the payload interface envelope.
• Flight dynamics model support:Provide aero and performance data inputs to the 6-DOF flight dynamics model and support GNC and control-law development with validated datasets.
• Propulsion-airframe integration:Evaluate propulsion system impacts on airframe geometry, aero performance, and mission capability, supporting both electric and combustion architectures as they apply program by program.
• Cross-branch coordination:Work with Airframe & Mechanical on structural and propulsion constraints, with Hardware on sensor placement and avionics impacts, and with Software & Perception on navigation and perception mass and placement considerations.

WHAT YOU BRING — TECHNICAL

Proficiency levels indicate the depth expected in each area. Items marked Asset are not required.

• UAV conceptual design and configuration tradesEXPERT:Sizing, geometry definition, and configuration trade studies for fixed-wing and non-conventional (e.g. tail-sitter) UAV configurations, with conceptual CAD tools for geometry definition.
• AerodynamicsEXPERT:Subsonic aerodynamic analysis, stability and control derivatives, and aero database generation and validation using panel/VLM methods (XFLR5, AVL, Tornado, OpenVSP or equivalent). CFD tools are an asset for higher-fidelity work.
• Performance engineeringDEEP:Range, endurance, climb, cruise, and payload-range modelling across multiple propulsion architectures, electric and combustion, program-dependent.
• Propulsion-airframe integrationDEEP:Architecture-agnostic assessment of propulsion impacts on airframe geometry, aero performance, and mission capability.
• Mass properties and weight budgetingPROFICIENT:Weight and balance, CG envelope management, and mass budget tracking across a multi-program portfolio.
• Flight dynamics and 6-DOF modellingPROFICIENT:Contributing aero and performance data to 6-DOF simulation models in MATLAB/Simulink.
• Regulatory and airworthiness awarenessWORKING KNOWLEDGE:Transport Canada RPAS and DND certification considerations (e.g. TA-2017) as they affect conceptual design decisions.

QUALIFICATIONS & BACKGROUND

• Experience:7–12 years in aircraft conceptual design, aerodynamics, or performance engineering. UAV experience strongly preferred.
• Verification:Experience taking a configuration from concept through preliminary design, including generation of aero and performance data packages used by downstream GNC, structures, and flight-test teams.
• Security:Eligible for CGP security assessment. Existing CGP registration or a federal security clearance is an asset.
• Education:MASc or BASc in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience. P.Eng is an asset.

CERTIFICATIONS (ASSETS)

• Existing federal security clearance, or eligibility to obtain one
• CFD software certification (ANSYS Fluent or equivalent)
• Transport Canada Advanced RPAS Certificate
• Transport Canada Level 1 Complex Operations
• ARP4754A / ARP4761 system safety awareness

WHY SKYCAN

• Ownership of a technical division at a company moving from prototype to volume production.
• Platforms that are fielded operationally, with direct feedback from operators.
• A purpose-built facility with dedicated lab, integration, and test infrastructure.
• Competitive base salary, employee benefits, and paid time off.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, ACCOMMODATION & ELIGIBILITY

SkyCan Systems Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and make hiring decisions on merit, without regard to race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital or family status, or disability.

Accommodation is available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

This position involves access to controlled goods and controlled technology. Successful candidates must be eligible for and complete a security assessment under the Controlled Goods Program, and may be required to obtain and maintain a Government of Canada security clearance. Eligibility is assessed under Canadian law and does not require Canadian work experience.

SkyCan uses artificial intelligence to screen, assess, or select applicants for this position.