Aerodynamics EngineerLocation: [Ottawa Office / Montreal or Toronto - considered], On-Site
Reports to: Aircraft Configuration Lead
The RoleYou carry the aerodynamic performance and stability picture through the hardest part of the flight envelope: the high-subsonic to transonic transition, where compressibility effects, shock formation, and wave drag start deciding what the vehicle can actually deliver in the field. You carry out the CFD work and build the aero databases that feed flight dynamics and FCS models, then you go find out if the model was right - on the ramp, in the test trailer, against real telemetry.
When the data and the prediction disagree, you're the one who reconciles CFD, empirical, and wind tunnel models against flight test, and turns the gap into a design change for the next iteration, not a footnote in a report. You work the trade space with Structures, Propulsion, and GNC directly - aero doesn't get optimized in isolation.
What You'll Do- Run high-fidelity CFD across subsonic and transonic flight regimes to predict vehicle performance, stability, and control characteristics.
- Build and maintain linear and non-linear aero databases - lift, drag, pitching moment, control surface authority - that feed flight dynamics and FCS models.
- Diagnose and mitigate compressibility effects, shock wave formation, and wave drag through the high-subsonic to transonic transition.
- Deploy to ground test facilities and flight test sites to monitor real-time aero performance, instrumentation, and air data systems.
- Reduce flight test telemetry to validate and calibrate CFD, empirical, and wind tunnel models against real-world data.
- Work directly with rapid-prototyping teams to iterate outer mold line, control surface, and payload integration geometries off flight test findings.
- Partner with Structures, Propulsion, GNC, and Systems Engineering so aero trades get resolved across disciplines, not handed off cold.
What You Bring- Hands-on experience running CFD across subsonic through transonic regimes and turning it into aero databases that flight dynamics and FCS teams actually use.
- Working command of compressible aerodynamics - shock formation, wave drag, control surface authority - solid enough to explain why the vehicle behaves differently at Mach 0.85 than at Mach 0.6.
- Experience reducing flight test telemetry and using it to calibrate or correct CFD, empirical, and wind tunnel models.
- Willingness to deploy to ground test facilities and flight test sites - this isn't a desk-only aero role.
- Proficiency with industry-standard CFD solvers and grid generation tools.
- Advanced proficiency in programming or working with AI to produce data reduction, automation, and database generation.
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical, or Mechanical Engineering.
- 3+ years of direct experience in aerodynamic design, CFD, and flight testing within defense, UAV, or tactical aircraft programs.
Nice to Have- Wind tunnel test experience, including correlating physical test data against CFD predictions.
- Enough GNC or flight control systems background to work aero-controls trades directly with that team.
- Air data system or flight test instrumentation experience.
- Comfort iterating OML and control surface geometry directly with a rapid-prototyping or fast-build team.
No defence background required.
We've hired people who didn't tick every box. If this is the work you want to do, please apply anyway.
Compensation & Benefits- Competitive base salary and company equity*
- Comprehensive health benefits
- Additional equity granted based on impact*
*Equity awarded to full time employees only.
