Senior Aeronautical Engineer

The Arya Group; Centurion; On-site; ZAR 1,100,000 - 1,650,000; Full time

Job summary

Incomar Dynamics, a subsidiary of the Incomar Group, is seeking a Senior Aeronautical Engineer in Centurion. You will lead design, analysis, integration, and testing of aeronautical systems for unmanned platforms.

The role covers aerodynamics, propulsion, flight performance and certification support with emphasis on rigorous analysis, documentation and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of engineering design and development experience.
• Aeronautical design, analysis, and performance optimisation.
• Configuration and product lifecycle management.
• CFD analysis with ANSYS Fluent, MSC Cradle or Star-CCM.
• Knowledge of aerodynamics, propulsion, flight mechanics and aeroelasticity.

Responsibilities

• Perform aeronautical design, development and testing of unmanned aerial systems.
• Write and maintain specifications and documentation for aeronautical engineering tasks.
• Conduct verification, validation and qualification activities.
• Support prototype manufacturing and flight-testing activities.
• Analyse data and prepare technical reports.
• Ensure stakeholder requirements are met and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Aeronautical design

Aerodynamic analysis

CFD analysis

Flight mechanics

Propulsion

Aerospace standards

Team leadership

Matlab/Simulink

Education

Bachelor's or post graduate degree in Aeronautical or Mechanical Engineering with aeronautical subjects

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

SolidWorks

MSC Apex

MSC Nastran

Star-CCM

Job description

Position: Senior Aeronautical Engineer

Closing date: 6 November 2026

Incomar is an aerospace and defence company based in Centurion, South Africa. We are continuously expanding our specialised product development and flight operations capabilities. The group was established in South Africa in 1999, with its origins in military aircraft weapons and avionics integration and flight testing. The company is well established in the local and international industry, with a strong capability in several specialist areas, including:

• Systems Design, Development, and Integration.
• System Testing on a range of platforms / products.
• Product Development.
• Flight Test Execution and Support.

Incomar Dynamics, a subsidiary within the Incomar Group of companies is seeking a motivated individual to take up a role within the Aeronautical Department and support the activities of the company. A successful candidate will be involved in design, analysis, integration & testing and certification of systems related to aerodynamics, aerostructures, propulsion and flight performance applicable to the allocated project including:

• Aerodynamic design & analysis.
• Structural analysis.
• Flight performance.
• Prototyping & testing.
• Systems integration.
• Certification & flight test support.
• Manufacturing support.
• Ensuring design compliance against requirements and applicable standards.
• Designing and validating aerial platforms and systems that meet mission & flight reliability, safety, regulatory, operational and environmental requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or post graduate degree in Aeronautical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering with aeronautical subjects and or experience.
• Police clearance certificate (required prior to commencement of employment).

Required Skills and Experience

• Minimum of 8 years' engineering experience in a design and development environment.
• Aeronautical design, development & qualification skills, including aircraft concept design, aerodynamic analysis and performance optimisation.
• Configuration and product lifecycle management skills.
• Knowledge and experience in aeronautical simulation, modelling and calculations.
• Knowledge and experience in aerodynamics, propulsion, flight mechanics, flight dynamics and or aeroelasticity.
• Experience with CFD analysis (ANSYS Fluent, MSC Cradle or Star-CCM).
• Experience in technical report writing.
• Experience in conducting and contributing to design reviews.
• Experience in complying with system specifications.
• Experience in fault finding activities of aeronautical systems and solution proposals.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience in technical team management is preferable.
• Experience with modelling software tools (MATLAB and Simulink, Julia or Octave).
• Proficient in MCAD modelling, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (Solidworks preferred).
• Knowledge of applicable standards (e.g. MIL-STDs, RTCA and FAR/EASA standards).
• Experience with FEA analysis (MSC Apex or MSC Nastran & Patran) would be advantageous.
• Experience in composite structure and structural test methods.
• Experience within the defence sector is advantageous, but not mandatory.

Key Qualities

• Able to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Quality driven with good attention to detail.
• Problem-solving & solutions driven attitude.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and managecontinuous improvement activities.
• Team player.
• Good communicator.
• Agility & adaptability to changing environments.
• Self-motivated and output driven.
• Safety conscious.
• Integrity.
• Innovative.
• Proficient in MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Performing aeronautical engineering activities, including design, development, and testing of unmanned aerial systems.
• Writing and maintaining specifications and documentation related to aeronautical engineering development activities.
• Perform, execute and document aeronautical compliance, verification, validation and qualification activities.
• Supporting of prototype manufacturing and flight-testing activities.
• Simulation, data analysis and report writing applicable to allocated tasks.
• Ensuring that stakeholder requirements are met.
• Ensuring compliance to applicable regulatory and safety requirements.
• Assisting with cost and time estimates for engineering tasks/projects.
• Planning and executing tasks within agreed to budgets and timescales.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality and integrity when handling company and customer data and documentation.
• Work in accordance with engineering and other company processes applicable to your role.
• Contribute towards the continuous improvement of engineering and other company processes applicable to your role.
• Ensure all non-compliances on both safety and quality issues within your area of responsibility are identified and reported timeously.
• Guide & mentor more junior engineers.