Zone 5 Technologies · 7 hours ago
Aerodynamics CFD Engineer
San Luis Obispo, California
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$120K/yr - $190K/yr
5+ years expZone 5 Technologies is redefining unmanned aircraft systems with innovative solutions. They are seeking an Aerodynamics CFD Engineer to conduct high fidelity CFD simulations, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and develop automated CFD environments to enhance UAS performance.
AerospaceManufacturingMechanical Engineering
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Conduct high fidelity CFD simulations to assess aerodynamic, mechanical, thermal, and aircraft performance impact of designs
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (structures, propulsion, controls, systems engineering) to integrate aerodynamic insights into the overall design
Aerodynamic database generation involving high performance UAS systems
Validate CFD models using combinations of wind tunnel testing and flight test data
Develop, extend, and mature automated productionized CFD environments
Assist in the development of bench test, wind tunnel test, and flight test method, data reduction, and analysis
Preparing technical reports, presentations, and design documentation
Present findings to key stakeholders and internal/external customers
Qualification
Required
U.S. Citizenship or equivalent status required for defense-related work
A Masters's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field with experience is preferred. Bachelor's degree with substantial relevant experience is required
3+ (5+ years w/ BS) years of applied industrial CFD with a focus on aerodynamics, particularly around high-performance aircraft and / or UAVs. Experience in high performance based automotive external and internal aerodynamics may be considered with sufficient theoretical background and interest in flight dynamics
Demonstrable experience building and maintaining high fidelity aerodynamic modeling tools for performance, loads, and database generation
Experience with detailed geometry handling and simulation setup for coupled OML/IML simulations involving heat transfer and vehicle aerodynamics
Experience in a productionized environment using commercial Navier-Stokes based CFD tools (e.g., ANSYS Fluent / CFX, STAR-CCM+, etc.) including geometry preparation, mesh generation, and simulation debugging
Experience programming and developing packages in Python and Java
Experience with data visualization tools, e.g. MATLAB & Python, Tecplot, ParaView and working in a version control environment, e.g. git
Industrial wind tunnel testing: test matrix design, model design, techniques, instrumentation, and data reduction
Experience working with real hardware flying in subsonic, transonic, and high-speed aerodynamics
Preferred
Demonstrated aerodynamic surfacing capability in NX, Rhino, or equivalent
Optimization of aerodynamic surfaces in automated CFD simulation environment
Bookkeeping and design of aerodynamic heat transfer systems
Control and design of simulation datasets for intra-team access
Working knowledge of applicable MIL-STDs
Security clearance (or eligibility) is a plus
Benefits
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
Company
Zone 5 Technologies
Zone 5 Technologies is an aviation component manufacturing company that develops and tests unmanned aircraft systems.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
unknown2025-12-17Acquired
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