Propulsion Aerodynamics Engineer - UAV Propulsion & CFD

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems; Poway (CA); On-site; USD 116,000 - 209,000; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) seeks a Propulsion Aerodynamics Engineer in Poway, CA to lead propulsion analyses across subsonic and transonic regimes for military aircraft.

You will guide CFD/CFD tooling, wind tunnel studies, and engine sizing while collaborating with the Flight Technologies department and external teams. A security clearance and strong communication skills are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level degree (BS), Master’s, or PhD in engineering or a related field with progressive experience.
• Active security clearance is required.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively.
• Expertise in gas dynamics, engine secondary flow paths, and diffuser/nozzle design/sizing.
• Solid understanding of turboprop, turbofan, and hybrid propulsion performance and stability.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership in propulsion aerodynamics for subsonic UAVs and transonic UAVs.
• Stay current with industry developments and participate in events/workshops.
• Support design reviews and flight-test safety reviews.
• Establish/refine standards for inlet diffusers, nozzles, and secondary flow paths.
• Collaborate with external aerodynamics team to improve thrust-drag reporting.
• Develop methods to standardize aerodynamic databases and ROMs with uncertainty estimation.
• Conduct analyses for propulsion aerodynamics using wind tunnel tests and CFD.
• Assist engine sizing for conceptual designs and collaborate across teams.
• Present findings to internal stakeholders and external customers.

Skills

CFD

Aerodynamics

Python

C++

Fortran

MATLAB

Wind tunnel

Uncertainty estimation

High-performance computing

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

ANSA

CCM+

FLUENT

Kestrel

NPSS

XRotor

BladeGen

AxStream

MATLAB

Job description

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) seeks a Propulsion Aerodynamics Engineer in Poway, CA to lead propulsion analyses across subsonic and transonic regimes for military aircraft.

You will guide CFD/CFD tooling, wind tunnel studies, and engine sizing while collaborating with the Flight Technologies department and external teams. A security clearance and strong communication skills are required.