Senior Aerodynamics CFD Engineer

Executive Recruiting Group•Boulder, CO

20h•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a Senior Aerodynamics/CFD Engineer for our Boulder, Colorado location. This role can be remote with travel. The engineer will be responsible for designing, lofting, and optimizing components that affect aircraft aerodynamics and outer mold line (OML). This includes building models, cleaning CAD geometry, and generating computational meshes for CFD simulations to inform aircraft trade studies and configuration design decisions. The role supports aerodynamic design from concept development through certification, develops and maintains high-fidelity aerodynamic databases, and correlates/validates CFD results against various simulations and test data. The engineer will also post-process and analyze data, collaborate with cross-functional teams, develop and improve software methods and workflows, support verification and validation activities, and train/mentor junior engineers.

Requirements

B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in aeronautical engineering or a related field
15+ years of experience with a B.S., 10+ years with an M.S., or 8+ years with a Ph.D. modeling subsonic, fixed-wing aerodynamics using CFD and validating results with wind-tunnel experiments
Expert-level knowledge of subsonic, fixed-wing aerodynamics; strong theoretical background in fluid mechanics and CFD
Experience with surface parameterization and aerodynamic shape optimization
Experience in turbulence modeling, boundary-layer transition, unsteady aerodynamics, and interference aerodynamics
Strong competence running NASA OVERFLOW and/or FUN3D CFD software (RANS flow solvers)
Proficiency in 3D surface and volume meshing using structured overset meshes and/or unstructured tetrahedral/hexahedral meshes
Proficiency in lofting aircraft in 3D CAD software (e.g., CATIA, NX) and applying CAD cleanup tools
Proficiency in Python and/or MATLAB scripting
Experience working with external partners and suppliers on development projects
Familiarity with software development best practices and version control (Git)
Good knowledge of high-performance computing (HPC) hardware and software
Strong technical, written, and verbal communication skills
Ability to work well both collaboratively and independently
Experience in a fast-paced design environment

Nice To Haves

Aerodynamics design experience on a large transport/freighter/cargo category aircraft
Familiarity with aircraft certification standards (14 CFR Part 25 or Part 23), preferably having been through an airplane development and certification program
Familiarity with cloud computing platforms
Experience planning and executing wind-tunnel test campaigns to validate CFD and aerodynamic predictions
Proficiency in MATLAB
Experience mentoring junior aerodynamics engineers in CFD

Responsibilities

Design, loft and optimize components that affect the aircraft aerodynamics and outer mold line (OML).
Build models, clean CAD geometry, and generate computational meshes to run CFD simulations that inform aircraft trade studies and configuration design decisions using appropriately fidelity levels.
Support aerodynamic design across all phases, from concept development through certification.
Develop and maintain high-fidelity aerodynamic databases for performance prediction, external-loads analysis, and real-time six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) simulations.
Correlate and validate CFD results against simulations of varying fidelity (e.g. cross-code comparisons, wind-tunnel testing, and flight-test data). Iterate models as new data becomes available.
Post-process and analyze simulation and test data. Summarize results in reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders, as needed.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams (performance, acoustics, loads, stability and control, control laws, systems, and instrumentation) to define simulation parameters and requirements, ensure model accuracy, and provide CFD expertise to guide design decisions.
Develop and improve the software methods, tools, and workflows that support aerodynamic modeling.
Support verification and validation activities that rely on model outputs (e.g., failure hazard assessments (FHAs)).
Train and mentor junior aerodynamics engineers.