Senior Aerodynamics Engineer - CFD & Wind Tunnel Expert

Apera; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Apera is seeking an experienced Aerodynamics Engineer to join their growing team in California as they push toward flight-test readiness for their first aircraft.

You will work across the entire aircraft using CFD to assess and optimize designs, support wind tunnel testing, and validate aerodynamic predictions with flight-test data. The role emphasizes design decisions, performance prediction, and development of analysis methods in a lean startup setting.

Qualifications

• 6+ years aerospace industry experience across applied aerodynamics and wind tunnel testing.
• BSc in Aerospace, Aeronautical, or Mechanical Engineering.
• Experience with CFD tools: Fun3D, OpenFOAM, Star CCM+, Ansys Fluent.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and document analyses, plan and support testing and optimization activities.
• Contribute to design decisions, performance prediction, aerodynamic optimization, and method/tool development.

Skills

Applied aerodynamics

Wind tunnel testing

Numerical methods

Education

BSc in Aerospace, Aeronautical, Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Fun3D

OpenFOAM

Star CCM+

ANSYS Fluent

Job description

Apera is seeking an experienced Aerodynamics Engineer to join their growing team in California as they push toward flight-test readiness for their first aircraft.

You will work across the entire aircraft using CFD to assess and optimize designs, support wind tunnel testing, and validate aerodynamic predictions with flight-test data. The role emphasizes design decisions, performance prediction, and development of analysis methods in a lean startup setting.