Senior Propulsion CFD Engineer

We are working with a key player in robotics and automation that is transforming last-mile logistics. This team is building fast, efficient, and reliable aerial delivery systems, combining advanced robotics, aviation engineering, and operational innovation to bring autonomous drone delivery to market at scale.

We are partnering with a high-growth technology company on their search for Senior Electric Propulsion CFD Engine
er to lead the simulation, analysis, and optimization of propulsion systems for their drone delivery platform. You will play a critical role in developing high-fidelity aerodynamic and propulsion models that influence vehicle performance, efficiency, thermal management, and operational reliability. Working closely with propulsion, aerodynamics, flight sciences, and hardware teams, you will help drive the next generation of autonomous aerial delivery vehicles from concept through flight validation

• Develop and validate high-fidelity CFD models to predict propeller, rotor, and propulsion system performance across the flight envelope
• Conduct aerodynamic and propulsion trade studies evaluating propeller geometry, blade design, motor integration, ducting concepts, and installation effects
• Analyze complex flow phenomena including rotor wake interactions, propeller-airframe coupling, transition, separation, and unsteady aerodynamic effects
• Support the design and optimization of propulsion systems for efficiency, thrust production, endurance, and thermal performance
• Develop simulation methodologies and best practices for steady-state, transient, and rotating machinery CFD analyses
• Correlate CFD predictions with wind tunnel, bench, and flight test data to improve model fidelity and establish validation processes
• Collaborate with mechanical, propulsion, flight controls, and systems engineering teams to inform design decisions and vehicle architecture
• Automate simulation workflows, post-processing, and data analysis tools to improve engineering productivity and design iteration speed
• Present technical findings, recommendations, and performance trade-offs to engineering leadership and cross-functional stakeholders

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in CFD analysis focused on propulsion systems, rotating machinery, UAVs, rotorcraft, eVTOL aircraft, or aerospace applications
• Strong understanding of aerodynamics, rotorcraft aeromechanics, propeller performance, and fluid dynamics fundamentals
• Experience with CFD tools such as ANSYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM, CFX, or equivalent simulation platforms
• Expertise in mesh generation, turbulence modeling, rotating reference frames, sliding mesh techniques, and transient flow simulations
• Experience validating CFD results against experimental data, including wind tunnel, propulsion bench, or flight test measurements
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or similar scripting languages for automation, data analysis, and visualization
• Familiarity with multiphysics analyses involving thermal management, motor cooling, or aero-propulsive integration is highly desirable
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to balance simulation fidelity with engineering timelines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to multidisciplinary teams

• Experience working on drone, UAS, eVTOL, or advanced air mobility programs
• Knowledge of propeller design tools such as Blade Element Momentum Theory (BEMT), vortex methods, or rotor optimization frameworks
• Experience with HPC environments and large-scale CFD simulations
• Familiarity with certification, safety, and performance requirements for commercial UAS operations
• Experience supporting vehicle development from concept design through flight test and production.