Lead CFD Engineer — Missile Aerodynamics & Performance

Zone 5 Technologies; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 149,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401k match

Paid time off: 3 weeks

Sick time: 40 hours

12 company holidays

Job summary

Zone 5 Technologies is seeking an experienced CFD Lead to drive high‑fidelity aerodynamics analyses for air‑launched effects and next‑generation munitions. You will guide CFD strategies, mentor engineers, and collaborate with design, propulsion, GNC, and flight test teams to ensure reliable performance under demanding launch and flight conditions.

Ideal candidates have 8+ years in CFD within defense/ aerospace, strong scripting and HPC experience, and a DoD security clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in aerospace/mechanical engineering or related field.
• 8+ years leading CFD analysis in product-driven programs.
• Proficiency with aerospace CFD solvers and meshing tools.
• Experience validating CFD with wind tunnel or flight data.
• Ability to mentor engineers and set CFD standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-fidelity CFD analyses (RANS/URANS/DES) for missiles and air-launched systems.
• Develop standards for CFD-based aero databases and support GNC/design teams.
• Manage program-level resources, timelines, and deliverables.
• Validate CFD with wind tunnel/flight data and investigate discrepancies.
• Develop mesh techniques and integrate aero data into vehicle models.
• Present findings at design reviews and mentor junior engineers.
• Create automated workflows for HPC jobs and data reduction.

Skills

CFD leadership

Python scripting

MATLAB

Linux HPC

Version control

Clear communication

DoD security clearance

CFD validation

Mentoring

CFD workflow automation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Eng

Master's degree preferred

Tools

CFD++

OVERFLOW

FUN3D

STAR-CCM+

ANSYS Fluent

Pointwise

ANSA

Chimera Grid Tools

ParaView

Job description

Zone 5 Technologies is seeking an experienced CFD Lead to drive high‑fidelity aerodynamics analyses for air‑launched effects and next‑generation munitions. You will guide CFD strategies, mentor engineers, and collaborate with design, propulsion, GNC, and flight test teams to ensure reliable performance under demanding launch and flight conditions.

Ideal candidates have 8+ years in CFD within defense/ aerospace, strong scripting and HPC experience, and a DoD security clearance.