Aerodynamicist

Hypersonica GmbH; München; On-site; EUR 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Hypersonica is building Europe’s hypersonic capability from a compact, elite team in Munich. We seek an aerodynamicist who can take analyses from early concept through to flight testing, run CFD simulations, and develop robust aerodynamic models.

You will collaborate with Systems, Structures, and GNC and contribute to in-house toolchains. Ideal candidates have a degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering (or Physics), with CFD experience (Ansys Fluent, STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM, SU2) and programming

Qualifications

• A hands-on aerodynamicist taking analysis from concept through test or flight.
• Strong grounding in compressible aerodynamics and high-speed flow.
• Experience with CFD tools such as Ansys Fluent, STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM or SU2.

Responsibilities

• Own aerodynamic analysis of hypersonic vehicles from concept through flight tests.
• Conduct aerodynamic design and trade studies with Systems, Structures, and GNC teams.
• Run CFD simulations and fast methods to support rapid design decisions.
• Develop and maintain aerodynamic databases over the flight envelope.
• Provide aerodynamic and aerothermal loads to structural, thermal, and flight dynamics analyses.
• Plan and support wind tunnel test campaigns; validate predictions with results.
• Correlate predictions with ground/flight test data; feed lessons learned into tools.
• Contribute to in-house aerodynamic tools and simulation workflows.
• Document methods and results for traceability and configuration control.

Skills

CFD

Python

MATLAB

Education

Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Physics

Postgraduate in aerodynamics or fluid dynamics (a plus)

Tools

Ansys Fluent

STAR-CCM+

OpenFOAM

SU2

Job description

Help Build Europe's Hypersonic Capability

At Hypersonica, we’re redefining what’s possible in European defence technology. We exist to deliver speed, resilience, and technological independence at a pace that sets a new standard. We are a small, elite team working on problems that matter, and solving them fast.

By joining Hypersonica, you’re not stepping into a predefined role. You’re joining a talent dense environment where every individual shapes the direction of the company. Our philosophy is to hire a small number of exceptional people with broad, deep technical capability, strong judgement, and the ability to operate autonomously.

We hire for talent, not rigid boxes. This role represents a business need, but the way it evolves will be shaped by the individual. If you’ve achieved what others said was impossible, or you bring a unique combination of skills that doesn’t fit a traditional mould, we want to hear from you. The work you do here directly contributes to Europe’s technological independence.

What you'll do

• Own aerodynamic analysis of hypersonic vehicles, from early concept shaping through to flight test.
• Perform aerodynamic design and trade studies to shape vehicle configurations, working closely with the Systems, Structures, and Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) teams.
• Run computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations alongside fast engineering‑level methods to support rapid design decisions.
• Develop and maintain aerodynamic databases covering forces, moments, and control effectiveness across the flight envelope.
• Provide aerodynamic and aerothermal loads as inputs to structural, thermal, and flight dynamics analyses.
• Plan, specify, and support wind tunnel test campaigns, and use the results to validate and refine predictions.
• Correlate predictions with ground and flight test data, and feed lessons learned back into design and tools.
• Contribute to the development of in‑house aerodynamic tools and simulation workflows.
• Document methods, assumptions, and results to ensure traceability and configuration control.

Who you are

• A hands‑on Aerodynamicist with experience taking aerodynamic analysis from concept through to test or flight.
• Degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, Physics (or related discipline); a postgraduate qualification in aerodynamics or fluid dynamics is a plus.
• Strong grounding in compressible aerodynamics and high‑speed flow.
• Experience with CFD tools (e.g. Ansys Fluent, STAR‑CCM+, OpenFOAM, SU2), including meshing, setup, and critical assessment of results.
• Programming skills (e.g. Python or MATLAB) for automation, data processing, and building aerodynamic models.
• Experience with wind tunnel testing or flight test data analysis is a strong advantage.
• Comfortable making sound engineering judgements with incomplete data in fast‑moving, prototype‑heavy environments.

Hypersonica is an equal-opportunity employer and assesses candidates solely on merit, capability, and potential.