Aerodynamics Engineer

Ethereal Exploration Guild; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 1,500,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Ethereal Exploration Guild in Bengaluru seeks a highly skilled Unsteady Aerodynamics Engineer to tackle buffet, transonic shock oscillations, and aeroelastic challenges on a launch vehicle during ascent and re-entry.

You will model liftoff acoustics, plume interactions, validate CFD against wind tunnel and flight data, and collaborate with Structures, GNC, and Propulsion teams. On-site role with a focus on cutting-edge aeroelastic analysis and tool development.

Qualifications

• Degree in Aerospace/Mechanical or closely related computational field with emphasis on fluid dynamics.
• 2-3+ years in unsteady aerodynamics or aeroacoustics, preferably for launch vehicles/missiles/high-speed aircraft.
• CFD tools with time-accurate simulations.
• Knowledge of compressible flows, transonic/supersonic regimes, and signal processing.
• Programming in Python, MATLAB, Fortran, or C++ for data work.

Responsibilities

• Characterise aeroelastic phenomena, including flutter and buffet.
• Model liftoff acoustics, plume interactions, transonic phenomena.
• Correlate CFD predictions with Wind Tunnel and flight data.
• Collaborate with Structures, GNC, and Propulsion to provide time-dependent loads.
• Develop and automate in-house software and data post-processing pipelines.

Skills

CFD expertise

Aeroelasticity

Python/MATLAB/C/C++

Unsteady aerodynamics

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s/Ph.D. in Aerospace/Mechanical or related field

Tools

ANSYS Fluent

Star-CCM+

OpenFOAM

Job description

Founded in 2022, Ethereal Exploration Guild (The Guild) is building the World’s First Fully Reusable Medium-Lift Launch Vehicle/Rocket, Razor Crest Mk-1(RCM1).

Based in India, the team has a combined flight heritage of over 75 launches from the PSLV and GSLV fleets, and more than 300 years of collective experience in the space industry. The Guild is also developing a 700,000 sq ft facility dedicated to Upper Stage Engine Testing, which is going to be India’s largest privately developed Engine Testing Facility.

The Guild has also built and manufactured India’s First Reusable Rocket Engine.

We are looking for a self-motivated individual to join the Hands of the Guild as a Aerodynamics Engineer.

Please apply to the job using the link provided below:

Job-Type: On-site, Monday - Saturday

Role Summary: We are seeking a highly skilled Unsteady Aerodynamics Engineer to focus on the highly dynamic and transient phases of flight, specifically addressing buffet, transonic shock oscillations, acoustic loads, and fluid-structure interactions (FSI) problems occurring on a launch vehicle during its journey to space and back into the earth's atmosphere for re-entry.

Core Responsibilities:

• Characterise Aeroelastic Phenomena: Identify and mitigate risk factors associated with panel flutter, buffet environments, and dynamic aerodynamic instability.
• Model Launch Environments: Predict liftoff acoustics, rocket plume interactions, and transonic aerodynamic phenomena.
• Correlate Experimental Data: Match unsteady CFD predictions with Wind Tunnel Test (WTT) data and existing actual Flight Test data to validate physics-based models.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Work alongside Structures, GNC (Guidance, Navigation, & Control), and Propulsion teams to supply critical time-dependent aerodynamic loads.
• Tool Development: Enhance and automate in-house software, scripts, and data post-processing pipelines for efficient handling of massive transient datasets.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s or Master's degree or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related computational field with an emphasis on fluid dynamics.
• 2-3+ years of dedicated experience analyzing unsteady aerodynamics or aeroacoustics, ideally within the launch vehicle, missile, or high-speed aircraft sectors.
• CFD Expertise: Strong proficiency with commercial or open-source solvers (e.g., Ansys Fluent, Star-CCM+, OpenFOAM) tailored for time-accurate simulations.
• Domain Knowledge: Deep understanding of compressible fluid mechanics, transonic/supersonic flow structures, and signal processing techniques (e.g., PSD, FFT, modal decomposition).
• Programming Skills: Competency in Python, MATLAB, Fortran, or C++ for data extraction, manipulation, and analysis.

Required Skills:

• Strong experience in Computational Fluid Dynamics and Analytical Coding.
• Deep understanding of aerodynamics, aeroacoustics and aeroelasticity.
• Ability to translate mathematical formulations to working code.
• Proven ability to independently formulate complex aerodynamic problems and deliver actionable solutions within strict project timelines.
• Simulations and Testing: Hands-on experience with Simulating transient Aerodynamic cases and wind tunnel testing for unsteady aerodynamics