Director of Aerodynamics & Aeroacoustics

Zipline; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 265,000; Full time

Job summary

Zipline, based in South San Francisco, seeks a senior engineering leader to deliver aerodynamic and acoustic performance for its autonomous delivery aircraft fleet. You will own aerodynamic tradeoffs, lead a 5–9 person team, and drive flight-test programs and design releases.

This role operates on-site, with travel for flight-tests. You will interface with propulsion, structures, flight software, certification, and manufacturing, ensuring safety, range, and efficiency targets are met.

Qualifications

• 6+ years in applied aerodynamics/aircraft design; 3+ years in a leadership role.
• CFD expertise with Fluent, Star-CCM+, OpenFOAM, or PowerFLOW.
• Proven wind-tunnel, pressure scanning, PIV/LDV and flight-test data skills.
• Advanced surfacing with CATIA or NX for release-quality geometry.
• Strong propeller/rotor aerodynamics and aeroacoustics knowledge.
• Able to work under pressure and coordinate cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Own aerodynamic targets for all vehicle programs and fleets.
• Lead a 5–9 person aerodynamics team; set roadmaps and reviews.
• Develop and maintain aerodynamic plant models used by flight controls.
• Design and oversee aero test assets and translate results into design fixes.
• Deliver release-quality surfacing for manufacturing with manufacturability in mind.
• Lead propeller aeroacoustic trade studies to balance noise, thrust, efficiency.
• Track fleet aerodynamic health metrics and report progress to leadership.
• Collaborate daily with propulsion, structures, flight software, manufacturing, and field ops.

Skills

Leadership

CFD

Wind tunnel testing

Aeroacoustics

Tools

CATIA

NX

Fluent

Star-CCM+

OpenFOAM

PowerFLOW

Job description

Zipline, based in South San Francisco, seeks a senior engineering leader to deliver aerodynamic and acoustic performance for its autonomous delivery aircraft fleet. You will own aerodynamic tradeoffs, lead a 5–9 person team, and drive flight-test programs and design releases.

This role operates on-site, with travel for flight-tests. You will interface with propulsion, structures, flight software, certification, and manufacturing, ensuring safety, range, and efficiency targets are met.