Aerodynamic Engineer

Copello; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Copello partners with a leading defence company to recruit an Aerodynamics Engineer for Bristol. You will support the aerodynamic design and optimisation of fixed-wing UAV platforms, from concept through to production.

Apply CFD analysis and wind tunnel data to predict lift, drag and stability, and coordinate with Flight Performance, Structures and Propulsion teams to meet performance targets. This is a hybrid Bristol role requiring hands-on collaboration across disciplines to deliver robust

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field required.
• Experience in aerodynamic design and analysis for aircraft or UAVs.
• Strong CFD fundamentals for low-speed aerodynamics in UAV contexts.
• Hands-on CFD tools experience with ANSYS Fluent or STAR-CCM+.

Responsibilities

• Support aerodynamic design and shaping of airframes including wings, fuselages, control surfaces and propellers.
• Perform computational analysis to predict lift, drag, stability, and control characteristics.
• Develop and validate aerodynamic databases used in performance models.
• Conduct stability and control analyses, including margin sizing.
• Plan and support wind tunnel testing and correlate results with CFD.
• Support flight test campaigns with planning and data correlation.
• Coordinate with structures and propulsion teams to address aeroelastic effects.
• Produce aerodynamic design documentation and technical reports.

Skills

Aerodynamics design

CFD analysis

Wind tunnel testing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

ANSYS Fluent

STAR-CCM+

Job description

Aerodynamics Engineer- Bristol/Hybrid- Permanent- £40,000- £70,000 (doe)

Copello have partnered with one of the most exciting defence companies out there to recruit their next Aerodynamics Engineer.

We are very excited to provide the opportunity to work on some of the most exciting tech out there! You will support the aerodynamic design, analysis, and optimisation of fixed wing UAV platforms. You'll drive wing/propeller/airframe shaping, CFD analysis, and wind tunnel or flight test correlation, working closely with Flight Performance, Structures, and Propulsion teams to ensure performance and stability targets are met from concept through to production.

Key Responsibilities

• Support aerodynamic design and shaping of airframes: wings, fuselages, control surfaces and propellers
• Perform computational analysis to predict lift, drag, stability, and control characteristics
• Develop and validate aerodynamic databases used as inputs to performance and flight dynamics models
• Conduct stability and control analysis, including static/dynamic stability margins and control surface/rotor authority sizing
• Plan and support wind tunnel testing, and correlate results against CFD and analytical predictions
• Support flight test campaigns with planning and post-flight data correlation
• Work with structures and propulsion teams to address aeroelastic effects and integrate propulsion systems with the airframe
• Produce aerodynamic design documentation, technical reports, and design review materials

What we are looking for;

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field (Master's preferred)
• Experience in aerodynamic design and analysis, ideally on aircraft or UAV programmes
• Strong foundation in low-speed aerodynamics, including low Reynolds number effects relevant to small-to-medium size UAVs
• Hands-on experience with CFD tools (e.g., ANSYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+)