Senior UAV Airframe & Aerodynamics Designer

REPORTS TO: Head of Systems

DIVISION: R&D Department

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-time, permanent

WORK ARRANGEMENT: Onsite by default, with limited hybrid flexibility depending on program phase and lab needs.

SECURITY REQUIREMENT: Must be eligible for security assessment under the Controlled Goods Program (CGP).

THE ROLE

This role leads conceptual and preliminary UAV configuration design across Sky Can's platform programs, covering sizing, geometry definition, and configuration trade studies. You will generate aerodynamic models and aero databases, model range, endurance, climb, cruise, and payload-range tradeoffs, and own weight and balance, CG envelope definition, and mass budget tracking.

You will provide aero and performance data inputs to the 6-DOF flight dynamics model, evaluate propulsion system impacts on airframe geometry and mission capability across electric and combustion architectures, and coordinate with Airframe & Mechanical, Hardware, and Software & Perception.

WHAT YOU'LL OWN

Conceptual design and configuration: Lead conceptual and preliminary UAV configuration design — sizing, geometry definition, and configuration trade studies — across Sky Can's platform programs. Evaluate mission-driven design options across range, endurance, payload, and propulsion architecture, and produce configuration drawings.

Aerodynamics: Generate aerodynamic models — lift/drag polars, stability and control derivatives — and build aero databases using panel/VLM methods and CFD as required. Assess aero impacts of propulsion placement, sensor payloads, and structural constraints.

Performance engineering: Model range, endurance, climb, cruise, and payload-range tradeoffs across multiple propulsion architectures. Produce performance budgets and mission analysis outputs for program reviews.

Mass properties and configuration budgets: Own weight and balance calculations, CG envelope definition, and mass budget tracking, coordinated with Airframe & Mechanical and with the Head of Systems on the payload interface envelope.

Flight dynamics model support: Provide aero and performance data inputs to the 6-DOF flight dynamics model and support GNC and control-law development with validated datasets.

Propulsion-airframe integration: Evaluate propulsion system impacts on airframe geometry, aero performance, and mission capability, supporting both electric and combustion architectures as they apply program by program.

Cross-branch coordination: Work with Airframe & Mechanical on structural and propulsion constraints, with Hardware on sensor placement and avionics impacts, and with Software & Perception on navigation and perception mass and placement considerations.

WHAT YOU BRING — TECHNICAL

Note:

bracketed proficiency levels indicate the depth expected in each area. Items marked Asset are not required.

UAV conceptual design and configuration trades ( EXPERT ):
Sizing, geometry definition, and configuration trade studies for fixed-wing and non-conventional (e.g. tail-sitter) UAV configurations, with conceptual CAD tools for geometry definition.

Aerodynamics ( EXPERT ):
Subsonic aerodynamic analysis, stability and control derivatives, and aero database generation and validation using panel/VLM methods (XFLR5, AVL, Tornado, OpenVSP or equivalent). CFD tools are an asset for higher-fidelity work.

Performance engineering ( DEEP ):
Range, endurance, climb, cruise, and payload-range modelling across multiple propulsion architectures, electric and combustion, program-dependent.

Propulsion-airframe integration ( DEEP ):
Architecture-agnostic assessment of propulsion impacts on airframe geometry, aero performance, and mission capability.

Mass properties and weight budgeting ( PROFICIENT ):
Weight…