Lead Aerodynamics Engineer – Precision Munitions & Flight Test

Cantos Ventures; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

Heaviside Industries seeks an experienced aerodynamics leader to own airframe design from concept to flight test, employing CFD (STAR-CCM+, Fluent, OpenFOAM) and low-order tools for rigorous analysis. You will plan wind tunnel tests, develop data-driven models, and mentor a skilled team in a fast-paced defense environment.

The role requires deep knowledge in flight mechanics, 6-DOF simulations, and defense program experience, with ITAR compliance as a must.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in aerodynamics or flight sciences for missiles, munitions, military UAS, or tactical aircraft with hardware that flew.
• Ownership of an air vehicle aerodynamic design from concept to flight test.
• Expert CFD and low-order aero-prediction tools with judgment on applicability.
• Strong flight mechanics foundations and aero databases for 6-DOF weapon simulation.
• Experience with wind tunnel planning, execution, and data reduction.
• Ability to analyze performance for small, fast, or long-endurance vehicles under real constraints.
• Bonus: high-subsonic/transonic munition aerodynamics or folding/tube-launched configurations.
• Bonus: correlating CFD and flight test data via parameter identification on defense programs.
• U.S. Person as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.62).

Responsibilities

• Own the aerodynamic design of Heaviside's airframes across configuration development and performance optimization.
• Lead aerodynamic analysis from conceptual sizing through design using CFD and wind-tunnel data.
• Develop and maintain vehicle performance models (range, endurance, speed) to drive trades.
• Generate stability and control derivatives and aero databases for 6-DOF weapon simulation.
• Lead propulsion-airframe integration for electric and compact propulsion.
• Plan and execute wind tunnel tests and instrumented flight tests at DoD ranges.
• Mentor engineers and set high standards for analysis quality.

Skills

Aero design ownership

CFD proficiency

Flight mechanics

Wind tunnel planning

Mentor/lead

6-DOF simulation

Defense program experience

ITAR / US person

Tools

STAR-CCM+

Fluent/OpenFOAM

Missile DATCOM

AVL

Job description

Heaviside Industries seeks an experienced aerodynamics leader to own airframe design from concept to flight test, employing CFD (STAR-CCM+, Fluent, OpenFOAM) and low-order tools for rigorous analysis. You will plan wind tunnel tests, develop data-driven models, and mentor a skilled team in a fast-paced defense environment.

The role requires deep knowledge in flight mechanics, 6-DOF simulations, and defense program experience, with ITAR compliance as a must.