Research Aerospace Engineer

University of Dayton; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Dayton's UDRI is seeking a Research Aerospace Engineer to join the Air Vehicle Optimization Group in Wright-Patterson collaboration. This full-time role supports design, analysis and testing across propulsion and airframe systems, using advanced numerical tools and software.

The candidate will apply finite-element analysis, CFD, and multidisciplinary optimization to ongoing programs and projects.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited Bachelors in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering.
• Masters in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering preferred.
• Experience with propulsion systems, aeroelasticity, CFD, and orbital dynamics.

Responsibilities

• Support conceptual vehicle design and propulsion integration for research programs.
• Perform finite-element sizing and CFD analyses for aerospace systems.
• Collaborate with AFRL and Wright-Patterson teams on experimental plans and data analysis.

Skills

Propulsion knowledge

Aerospace design

Finite element analysis

Aeroservoelastic analysis

System integration

Education

ABET accredited Bachelors in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering

Masters in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

LabVIEW

Python

SolidWorks

OpenVSP

XFOIL

Cradle CFD

C/C++/ANSYS

Job description

Job No: 503787

Work Type: Staff Full Time (1500 hours or greater)

Location: Dayton, OH

Category: Research Institute Staff

Department: Air Vehicle Optimization - 250571

Pay Grade: R1/R2 - Exempt

Advertised: August 07, 2026

Applications close: August 21, 2026

Position Summary:

UDRI is seeking qualified applicants to apply for a Research Aerospace Engineer position. This position will work for the Air Vehicle Optimization Group of the Structures & Materials Division and is a full-time benefit eligible position that offers health, dental and vision insurance, retirement, disability, tuition assistance, vacation/sick accrual and holiday pay.

The Air Vehicle Optimization Group at UDRI is a diverse team of skilled engineers and scientists who work closely with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to develop, prototype, and test numerical models, software, and hardware for the multidisciplinary design and analysis of aerospace vehicles. The group brings together specialties in Aerospace, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Physics to combine state-of-the-art engineering tools with innovative ideas to support future aircraft design methods from conceptual design through flight testing. A few of the projects the group currently supports include: Computational Aircraft Prototype Synthesis (CAPS), Missile Enhancement via Reconfigurable Interceptor Nose, Efficient Supersonic Aircraft Vehicle, X-56, XQ-58, Effectiveness Assessment of Concepts and Technologies, and Sensitivity Analysis for Multidisciplinary Systems.

The group is currently seeing an Aerospace Engineer to support ongoing research and development contracts at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in the Air Force Research Laboratory to provide support for airframe propulsion and power systems integration. Research Aerospace Engineers apply fundamental engineering principles to design, develop, document, maintain, and deploy software infrastructure and engineering analyses in the support of aerospace engineering research. Specifically providing support in the area of conceptual vehicle design in support of our Modular/Scalable UAS portfolio and perform finite-element-based structural sizing processes.

The successful candidate will bring to bear their skills and experience with one or more of the following: experience in aircraft design and propulsion and power system integration, finite element analysis for structural analysis, CFD for aerospace analysis, multidisciplinary analysis, sensitivity analysis, design optimization, aeroservoelastic design optimization, and aircraft trajectory optimization framework, and computer programming. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential and highly valued in this role.

Minimum Qualifications:

• - A Bachelors or equivalent degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related discipline from ABET accredited institution
• - Knowledge of: propulsion systems, aeroelasticity, experimental aerodynamics, numerical analysis, CFD, orbital dynamics
• - Basic experience with MATLAB, LabVIEW, Python, SolidWorks, OpenVSP, XFOIL, Cradle CFD, C++/Ansys or other similar programming languages
• - Experience with developing 3D printed parts
• - Due to requirements of our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be a US Citizen

R1 Level Requirements:

• Bachelors and no previous work experience

R2 Level Requirements:

• Bachelors and three years previous work experience, OR
• Masters and two years previous work experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• - A Masters or equivalent degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline from ABET accredited institution
• - Proficient using MATLAB, LabVIEW, Python, SolidWorks, OpenVSP, XFOIL, Cradle CFD, C++/Ansys or similar programming languages
• - Experience in designing and executing test procedures for parametric studies
• - Experience with analyzing experimental data and presenting results
• - Experience with mechanical design, experimental testing and validation, fluid mechanics, structural analysis, additive manufacturing, systems integration
• - Experience with CFD tools
• - Experience with designing and modifying propulsion test hardware
• - Research experience

Closing Statement:

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the dignity of every human being. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity in all of its forms, achieve fair outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. The University is committed to policies of affirmative action designed to increase the employment opportunities of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1973.

• Staff Full Time (1500 hours or greater) 1