Research Engineer- Fluid-Structure Interaction Dynamics

AeroVironment, Inc.; Upper Valley Trailer Court (OH); On-site; USD 75,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. in Dayton, OH seeks an entry-level Research Engineer to study fluid-structure interaction dynamics in collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory.

The role focuses on computational design, analysis, and experimental validation of aeroelastic structures at Wright-Patterson AFB. The candidate will engage with reservoir computing, neural networks, bifurcation analysis, and topology optimization while demonstrating strong communication skills in a collaborative

Qualifications

• Proficiency in computational fluid dynamics, dynamical systems, data reduction techniques, or machine-learning surrogate modeling.
• Experience with Python, MATLAB, or C++.
• U.S. Citizenship and willingness to work in a government facility is required.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to computational design, analysis, and experimental validation of fluid-structure interaction dynamics on aeroelastic structures.
• Characterize and optimize fluid-structure interactions for intrinsic mathematical operations and state assessment.
• Collaborate with researchers from diverse technical backgrounds.

Skills

Computational fluid dynamics

Dynamical systems

Data reduction techniques

Machine-learning surrogate modeling

Python

MATLAB

C++

Oral and written communication

Education

Advanced degree in Aerospace Engineering/Mechanical Engineering/Physics/Applied Mathematics

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description Job Description AV, Inc. is seeking an entry level Research Engineer in fluid-structure interaction dynamics to work at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH. The position will be performed in collaboration with the Foundational Technologies Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory. Predicting and controlling the behavior of fluid-structure interaction dynamics on aerospace systems is a rich area of fundamental and applied research. The research performed in this position will focus on the computational design, analysis, and experimental validation of fluid-structure interaction dynamics on aeroelastic structures. This project involves reservoir computing, neural network design, bifurcation analysis, morphing structures, topology optimization methods, and data reduction techniques. Previous experience in one or more of these areas is preferred. Excellent oral and written communication skills are required. The successful candidate should be self-motivated, able to work independently on assigned tasks, receptive to technical guidance, and effective in collaborating with researchers from diverse technical backgrounds.

Position Responsibilities

• Contribute to research on the computational design, analysis, and experimental validation of fluid-structure interaction dynamics on aeroelastic structures
• Characterize and optimize the fluid-structure interaction dynamics to perform intrinsic mathematical operations, such as performing input/output classification and leveraging the local dynamics for state assessment
• Effectively collaborate with researchers from different technical backgrounds

Position Qualifications

• This position involves working within a government facility and requires U.S. Citizenship.
• An advanced degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or other related technical discipline is desired (recent Ph.D. or MS is preferred; graduate students with a defense schedule will also be considered).
• Demonstrated proficiency in one or more of the following areas: computational fluid dynamics, dynamical systems, data reduction techniques, machine-learning-based surrogate modeling.
• Prior experience with technical computing languages such as Python, Matlab, and/or C++.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills are a prerequisite for employment.

Location

Onsite in Dayton, OH

Desired Competencies

Experience with finite difference and finite element (FE) methods, FE software (i.e., COMSOL, Abaqus, etc), technical computing languages (ie. Python, Matlab, C++, etc) and/or parallel computing is desired.

Physical Demands

• Travel required to domestic US sites – up to 10%.
• Ability to work in an office and lab environment.

Clearance Level

No Clearance

The salary range for this role is:

$74,500 - $113,500

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits

AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.

For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans.

AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

About AV: AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

About AV: AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

Career at AeroVironment