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Aerodynamics Engineer III/IV

San Luis Obispo, California; United States

At Zone 5 Technologies, we're redefining what's possible in unmanned aircraft systems. Our team of engineers and innovators is developing cutting-edge autonomous solutions that push the boundaries of UAS technology - solving complex challenges that matter.

We're building the future of UAS capabilities, and we're looking for exceptional talent to join us. If you're driven by hard problems, energized by rapid innovation, and ready to make an impact on next-generation flight systems, you belong here.

At Zone 5 Technologies, we're redefining what's possible in unmanned aircraft systems. Our team of engineers and innovators is developing cutting-edge autonomous solutions that push the boundaries of UAS technology - solving complex challenges that matter.

 

We're building the future of UAS capabilities, and we're looking for exceptional talent to join us. If you're driven by hard problems, energized by rapid innovation, and ready to make an impact on next-generation flight systems, you belong here.

 

We are seeking an Aerodynamics Engineer to join our Flight Sciences team. Our ideal candidate will have demonstrable experiences within the field of aerodynamics and have a drive to work on the aerodynamic design, analysis, and optimization of advanced Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).  

 

We are looking for candidates that embody a solid understanding of fluid dynamics, aerodynamic design, mechanical integration, aircraft design, and flight mechanics. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated use of tools in their tool belt ranging from hand calculations, computational methods, wind tunnels, and/or flight testing of physical hardware in validating their designs and meeting their objectives. This individual avoids siloing and consciously balances priority and speed with scaling products, and they have a mission focused on supporting our customers. 

 

Key Responsibilities: 

Perform aerodynamic design and analysis of wide range of UAS systems. 

Conduct low, mid, or high fidelity CFD simulations to assess aerodynamic or mechanical designs, and/or predict aircraft aerodynamic performance and stability. 

Develop and validate aerodynamic models using combinations of CFD, wind tunnel testing, and/or flight test data. 

Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (structures, propulsion, controls, systems engineering) to integrate aerodynamic insights into the overall design. 

Assist in the development of flight test plans and post-flight data analysis.

Preparing technical reports and design documentation. 

Present findings to key stakeholders and our customers.

 

Qualifications:

U.S. Citizenship. Security clearance (or eligibility) is a strong plus. 

A Masters's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field is strongly preferred.  

3 - 5 years of professional work in aerodynamics for aircraft, UAVs, or a similar field. 

Working knowledge of lower or mid fidelity aerodynamic modeling tools: panel methods, vortex lattice, lifting line, particle methods, or equivalent. 

End-to-end experiences using any Navier-Stokes based CFD tools (e.g., ANSYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM, Cart3D, Chimera, Fun3D or Overflow), mesh generation, and visualization software for analysis, or equivalence. 

General experience working in data visualization tools, e.g. MATLAB & Python, Tecplot, ParaView , etc. for qualitative and quantitative conveyance of pertinent information.

Experience using a code reviewed environment, e.g. git, with object-oriented codes (Python, Java, etc.) and within integrated developer environments.

Working with industrial wind tunnel testing: model design, techniques, instrumentation, data reduction, discrepancies.

Shepherding applied designs in incompressible, compressible, and high-speed aerodynamics.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

Missile aerodynamics in lift/drag prediction, control authority, pitch/yaw/roll coupling. 

Applied stability & control theory, flight dynamics, and performance analysis.

Applied Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) tools for aircraft design and performance analysis.

Flight testing, telemetry analysis, SysID, and/ or real-time simulation environments. 

Aerodynamics loads generation, dynamics, and aeroelastic responses.

Familiarity with turbomachinery in aerodynamic and vehicle design.

Store separation analysis.

Certification processes, CFRs,  MIL-STDs.

Pay range for this role

$120,000 - $183,000 USD

What's in it for you:

Benefits: 

  • Competitive total compensation package 
  • Comprehensive benefit package options include medical, dental, vision, life, and more.
  • 401k with company-match 
  • 4 weeks of paid time off each year
  • 12 annual company holidays

Why Join Zone 5 Technologies?

  • Innovative Environment: Work on cutting-edge technology that is shaping the future of defense and aerospace.
  • Collaborative Culture: Join a team of passionate professionals dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
  • Career Growth: Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

If you are passionate about unmanned aircraft technology and want to be a part of a dynamic and growing company, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and join the Zone 5 Technologies team! 

Note about our Texas roles: we are in the process of opening a location on the mid-west side of the DFW metro region. Roles in Texas will initially work remotely and then be expected to be onsite when that location opens in 2026.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Zone 5 Technologies is a federal contractor and participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. As required by law, we will verify the identity and employment authorization of all new employees using the E-Verify system. Learn more about your rights and responsibilities under E-Verify: https://www.e-verify.gov.

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