Aerodynamics Engineer

Apera; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Apera is seeking an experienced Aerodynamics Engineer to join their growing team in California as they push toward flight-test readiness for their first aircraft.

You will work across the entire aircraft using CFD to assess and optimize designs, support wind tunnel testing, and validate aerodynamic predictions with flight-test data. The role emphasizes design decisions, performance prediction, and development of analysis methods in a lean startup setting.

Qualifications

• 6+ years aerospace industry experience across applied aerodynamics and wind tunnel testing.
• BSc in Aerospace, Aeronautical, or Mechanical Engineering.
• Experience with CFD tools: Fun3D, OpenFOAM, Star CCM+, Ansys Fluent.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and document analyses, plan and support testing and optimization activities.
• Contribute to design decisions, performance prediction, aerodynamic optimization, and method/tool development.

Skills

Applied aerodynamics

Wind tunnel testing

Numerical methods

Education

BSc in Aerospace, Aeronautical, Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Fun3D

OpenFOAM

Star CCM+

ANSYS Fluent

Job description

Apera are supporting a next-gen aircraft development program off the back of their Series A funding round in their search for an experienced Aerodynamics Engineer.

This is a lean yet ambitious team with the knowledge, experience, and financial backing to develop a ground breaking aircraft. They are now entering a pivotal stage of their journey, beginning a significant hiring phase as they build towards flight-test readiness for their first aircraft over the next two years.

This role will see you working across the whole aircraft, using CFD to assess and optimize designs, support low and high speed wind tunnel testing, and validating the aerodynamic predictions against flight-test data.

You will contribute heavily to design decisions, performance prediction, aerodynamic optimization, and the development of analysis methods and tools.

The position requires a strong foundation in applied aerodynamics, computational fluid dynamics, and numerical methods, along with the ability to manage complex engineering projects with minimal supervision. Responsibilities will include conducting and documenting analyses, planning and supporting testing and optimization activities, and driving technical initiatives that are important to the wider organization.

• 6+ years aerospace industry experience across applied aerodynamics and wind tunnel testing
• BSc in Aerospace, Aeronautical, Mechanical Engineering
• Experience with CFD tools such as Fun3D, OpenFOAM, Star CCM+, Ansys Fluent
• Experience with planning and reducing data from high and low speed wind tunnel testing
• Experience with design trade studies
• Experience with whole aircraft configuration and/or integration ideally from an aircraft OEM

Preferred Requirements:

• Understanding of transonic flow theory
• Background in clean sheet development or experience from a start-up