Aerospace Engineer

Poseidon Aerospace; California; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Equity participation

Relocation support

Health benefits

6% retirement matching

Flexible PTO

Free lunches and snacks

AI tools and subscriptions

Job summary

Poseidon Aerospace is seeking an Aerospace Engineer to define aerodynamic performance for next-generation composite aircraft. You will perform CFD modeling, aerodynamic optimization, performance analysis, and test correlation across design and manufacturing teams.

The role combines analytical work with hands-on testing, flight test data interpretation, and collaboration with engineers to translate flight objectives into manufacturable solutions.

Qualifications

• Proficiency with CFD tools such as ANSYS Fluent, Star-CCM+, XFLR5.
• Experience using CAD software such as Fusion 360, SolidWorks, CATIA, or NX for geometry creation and surface preparation.
• Strong understanding of aerodynamics, stability and control, and aircraft performance.
• Familiarity with mesh design and refinement including fluent meshing.
• Working knowledge of structural analysis and load validation.
• Ability to interpret flight test data and create analytical performance models.
• Understanding of composite design and manufacturing methods for aerodynamic surfaces.
• Independent, practical engineer comfortable in a hands-on development environment.

Responsibilities

• Design and validate aerodynamic surfaces, configurations, and control geometries using CFD analysis and historical data.
• Support flight dynamics modeling and simulation for stability, control, and performance assessment.
• Provide input on propulsion integration, cooling airflow, and control surface sizing.
• Work with mechanical and manufacturing engineers to ensure aerodynamic designs are practical and efficient to produce.
• Conduct aerodynamic load analyses to ensure the airframe is supported.
• Create and maintain aerodynamic databases, performance models, and engineering documentation.
• Correlate CFD and analytical predictions with flight test data.
• Participate in flight testing and data review to compare measured results with predicted performance.
• Aid in the development of flight simulation models.

Skills

CFD tools

CAD software

Aerodynamics

Mesh design

Structural analysis

Flight test data

Composite design

Hands-on development

Tools

ANSYS Fluent

Star-CCM+

XFLR5

Fusion 360

SolidWorks

CATIA

NX

Job description

About Poseidon Aerospace:

Poseidon Aerospace is reimagining how the world moves goods. We build and operate full-size autonomous cargo aircraft - capable of carrying two tons of payload over a thousand nautical miles. From remote communities to contested logistics operations, our platforms unlock a new cost curve for air freight, making it faster, cheaper, and accessible anywhere it's needed. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area with locations in Washington DC, Oregon, and Maine; we're building something consequential.

As an Aerospace Engineer at Poseidon Aerospace, you will shape the aerodynamic and performance characteristics of our next-generation composite aircraft. Your work will include CFD modeling, aerodynamic optimization, performance analysis, and test correlation. You will help translate flight objectives such as speed, range, and efficiency into manufacturable aircraft. The role combines analytical work with hands-on testing and collaboration across design and manufacturing teams.

Responsibilities:

• Design and validate aerodynamic surfaces, configurations, and control geometries using CFD analysis and historical data

• Support flight dynamics modeling and simulation for stability, control, and performance assessment

• Provide input on propulsion integration, cooling airflow, and control surface sizing

• Work with mechanical and manufacturing engineers to ensure aerodynamic designs are practical and efficient to produce

• Conduct aerodynamic load analyses to ensure the airframe is supported

• Create and maintain aerodynamic databases, performance models, and engineering documentation

• Correlate CFD and analytical predictions with flight test data

• Participate in flight testing and data review to compare measured results with predicted performance

• Aid in the development of flight simulation models

Ideal Qualifications:

• Proficiency with CFD tools such as ANSYS Fluent, Star-CCM+, XFLR5

• Experience using CAD software such as Fusion 360, SolidWorks, CATIA, or NX for geometry creation and surface preparation

• Strong understanding of aerodynamics, stability and control, and aircraft performance

• Familiarity with mesh design and refinement including fluent meshing

• Working knowledge of structural analysis and load validation

• Ability to interpret flight test data and create analytical performance models

• Understanding of composite design and manufacturing methods for aerodynamic surfaces

• Independent, practical engineer comfortable in a hands-on development environment

Nice to Have:

• Experience with flight testing, data acquisition, or post-flight data analysis

• Experience with X-Plane aircraft design

• Background in seaplane design

• Experience with wind tunnel or scaled model testing

• Programming skills in Python or MATLAB for CFD and performance automation

• Basic experience with FEA for assessing load paths or aerodynamic-induced stresses

What you get from us

• Competitive salary and meaningful early-stage equity

• Relocation support if applicable

• Employee Health Benefit Plans

• 6% Retirement matching

• Flexible PTO

• Free lunches, snacks, and a stocked fridge at our offices

• AI tools and subscriptions