Senior Flight Dynamics Integration Engineer (Wayland) (All genders)

Skdse; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Stark Defence seeks a Senior AI & Flight Dynamics Integration Engineer to lead an AI-driven autonomous aircraft design workflow. You will integrate LLMs and AI agents with aerodynamics, CFD, flight dynamics, and multidisciplinary simulation tools to accelerate rapid prototyping and aircraft development.

You will automate complex engineering decisions, develop 6-DoF models, and contribute to automated optimization loops.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years in engineering automation, aerodynamics, or flight systems.
• Strong background in Flight Dynamics, Aerodynamics, and Stability & Control.
• Proficient in Python and automation of engineering workflows.
• Hands-on experience with OpenFOAM, VLM/Panel methods, or OpenMDAO.
• Degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical, Systems, or Computer Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Develop LLM and AI Agent-based workflows to interpret aircraft requirements and support iterative design decisions.
• Automate parametric aircraft geometry using OpenVSP, Python, and STEP-based CAD workflows.
• Integrate Flow5 (VLM / Panel Methods) and OpenFOAM CFD to build aerodynamic databases.
• Develop 6-DoF flight dynamics and flight mechanics models, including trim, stability, and control calculations.
• Integrate aircraft KPIs such as take-off/landing speed, range, endurance, and efficiency into an optimization loop.
• Drive multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) frameworks to evaluate trade-offs.
• Collaborate with systems and software teams to validate dynamic models against data.

Skills

Flight Dynamics

Aerodynamics

Stability & Control

Python

Automation

OpenFOAM

OpenMDAO

OpenVSP

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical, Systems, Computer Engineering, or related field

Tools

OpenFOAM

OpenMDAO

OpenVSP

VLM/Panel methods

Job description

Why Join Us?

• The software and systems you work on directly protect personnel and defend European and national sovereignty.
• You will work alongside industry-leading minds on autonomous systems, advanced propulsion, and secure cyber platforms.
• We foster a fast-paced, collaborative environment where bold ideas are supported by serious R&D backing.

About the Team

You will join our Open Source Aero Simulation team, dedicated to building and scaling next-generation autonomous flight systems. We focus on developing, validating, and implementing end-to-end aerodynamic and flight dynamics workflows built primarily on open-source tools and simulation frameworks. By integrating cutting-edge AI agents with open-source platforms, we accelerate rapid prototyping, multidisciplinary design optimization, and mission-critical aircraft analysis. We operate in an agile, hands-on environment where open engineering and cross-disciplinary innovation drive everything we build.

Your Mission

As a Senior AI & Flight Dynamics Integration Engineer, you will own and develop an AI-driven autonomous aircraft design and optimization workflow at STARK. You will integrate LLMs and AI agents with aerodynamics, CFD, flight dynamics, and multidisciplinary simulation tools to accelerate rapid prototyping and aircraft development. Your mission is to automate complex engineering decision-making loops and deliver highly performant, software-defined flight platforms.

What you will do at STARK

• Develop LLM and AI Agent-based engineering workflows to interpret aircraft requirements and support iterative design decisions.
• Automate parametric aircraft geometry using OpenVSP, Python, and STEP-based CAD workflows.
• Integrate Flow5 (VLM / Panel Methods) and OpenFOAM CFD to build aerodynamic databases including C_L, C_D, C_m, C_p, and stability derivatives.
• Develop 6-DoF flight dynamics and flight mechanics models, including trim, stability, control authority, propulsion, and aircraft performance calculations.
• Integrate aircraft KPIs such as take-off/landing speed and distance, range, endurance, rate of climb, and efficiency into an automated optimization loop.
• Drive multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) frameworks to rapidly evaluate aircraft trade-offs.
• Collaborate with systems and software teams to validate dynamic models against simulation and flight test data.

What you bring to the mission

• Minimum 5+ years of relevant professional experience in engineering automation, aerodynamics, or flight systems.
• Strong background in Flight Dynamics, Aerodynamics, and Stability & Control.
• Demonstrated experience with Python and engineering workflow automation.
• Hands-on experience with OpenFOAM, VLM/Panel methods, or OpenMDAO.
• Degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical, Systems, Computer Engineering, or a related field.

Nice to have

• Direct knowledge and experience with OpenVSP and Flow5.
• Hands-on experience integrating LLM APIs, AI Agents, and modern MDO tools.
• Experience in unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or rapid-prototyping defence environments.

Equal Opportunity

At Stark Defence, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing team.

We operate in an industry where women, as well as other minority groups, are systematically under-represented.

We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and identities.

If you are excited about this role, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the listed qualifications—ability and impact cannot be summarised in a few bullet points.

We value unique perspectives, adaptability, and a drive to solve high-stakes challenges.

Security Clearance

Due to the nature of our work in the defence sector, candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance required for this position. Details will be provided during the recruitment process.