Head of Aerodynamics

The role

You will lead the aerodynamics discipline for autonomous delivery aircraft. You will manage a 5–9 person team and own aerodynamic and acoustic performance targets for vehicle programs.

What you will do

• Own aerodynamic performance and aeroacoustic targets for all active vehicle programs and fleet upgrades
• Lead and grow a 5–9 person aerodynamics team
• Build, validate, and maintain aerodynamic plant models
• Design, specify, and oversee execution of aero test assets
• Deliver advanced surfacing as release-quality inputs to mechanical design and manufacturing
• Lead propeller aerodynamic and acoustic trade studies
• Establish and track measurable metrics for aerodynamic health of the fleet
• Interface with propulsion, structures, flight software, certification/safety, manufacturing, and field operations teams

Required qualifications

• Minimum 6+ years industry experience in applied aerodynamics/aircraft design
• At least 3 years in a leadership role or clear readiness to lead a 5–9 person team
• Hands-on contributor background
• Deep expertise in CFD (experience with Fluent, Star-CCM+, OpenFOAM, powerFLOW, or equivalent)
• Proven experimental aerodynamics skills including wind tunnel program design, pressure scanning, PIV/LDV, tufting/surface oil flow visualization, load measurement, flight-test instrumentation and data
• Advanced surfacing and geometry skills with tools such as CATIA or NX
• Experience producing release-quality geometry for mass produced products
• Strong understanding of propeller/rotor aerodynamics and aeroacoustics
• Ability to be on-site 5 days/week
• Ability to travel domestically ~10–20% for flight tests
• Must be eligible to work in the US

About the company

Zipline is the world’s largest and most experienced drone delivery service. They design, build, and operate an autonomous logistics system to deliver food, medicine and essential goods.