{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"c05f5ea7fdb01d439be60dfc","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/c05f5ea7fdb01d439be60dfc","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/c05f5ea7fdb01d439be60dfc","title":"Aero Performance CFD Engineer","description":"General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars, as well as advanced high-resolution surveillance systems.\n\nWe have an exciting opportunity for an Aero Performance CFD Engineer in the San Diego (Poway, CA) area. In this role, you will contribute directly to the design and development of next-generation unmanned aircraft platforms. Responsibilities include leading high-fidelity CFD analyses to support conceptual sizing, preliminary and detailed design, aerodynamic database development, and performance modeling, as well as supporting wind tunnel test planning, execution, and data correlation. This position offers competitive benefits, including 9/80 work schedule, medical, dental, employer-matched 401(k), pension plan, employee referral program, and more.\n\nDUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:\n\n• Lead CFD studies across conceptual, preliminary, and detailed aircraft design phases\n• Define appropriate aerodynamic modeling strategies and fidelity levels across program maturity\n• Develop high-fidelity 6DOF aerodynamic databases, including force and moment coefficients, control effectiveness, hinge moments, and propulsion-airframe interaction effects\n• Perform unsteady and maneuver-based CFD simulations to evaluate flight risk and concept feasibility\n• Conduct aerodynamic trade studies and sensitivity analyses to inform configuration-level decisions\n• Support wind tunnel and flight test planning; correlate CFD predictions to experimental data\n• Mentor junior engineers in aerodynamic modeling best practices and engineering judgment\n• Contribute to internal toolchain development, workflow automation, and advanced modeling capability\n• Participate in internal and customer-facing design reviews, test readiness reviews, flight briefings, and technical meetings.\n• Contribute to a broad swath of novel aircraft platforms ranging from Small Unmanned Air Systems (SUAS) to Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).\n\nWe recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.\n\nJob Qualifications\n\nTypically requires a bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; twelve or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, ten or more years of experience with a masters degree, or seven or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.\nDemonstrated applied experience using high-fidelity Navier–Stokes CFD solvers for aircraft aerodynamics\nExperience running CFD simulations on high-performance computing (HPC) clusters\nStrong foundational understanding of turbulence modeling, numerical methods, solver limitations, and modeling assumptions\nDemonstrated ownership of complete CFD workflows, including CAD preparation, mesh generation, solver setup, convergence assessment, and force/moment extraction\nExperience developing aerodynamic databases for flight mechanics, stability & control, or performance analysis\nStrong programming proficiency in Python and MATLAB for scientific computing and workflow automation\nAbility to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance\nAbility to work on-site during normal business hours for indeterminate periods of time as dictated by program security requirements.\n\nPREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:\nExperience with gradient-based and gradient-free optimization applied to aerodynamic shape optimization problems\nExperience developing surrogate or reduced-order models for rapid aerodynamic performance estimation\nDemonstrated validation, verification, and uncertainty quantification (UQ) of aerodynamic models\nExperience with statistical methods for design space exploration and sensitivity analysis\nExperience using or developing lower-fidelity aerodynamic tools (e.g., AVL, XFOIL, MSES), including understanding of their appropriate use and limitations\nApplied experience running unsteady and multi-body CFD simulations.\nExperience with experimental aerodynamic data processing and CFD correlation\nExperience contributing to production-quality engineering software using modern development practices\nActive DoD Secret, or higher, security clearance.\n\nJob Category\n\nEngineering\n\nExperience Level\n\nSenior (8+ years)\n\nWorkstyle\n\nOnsite\n\nFull-Time/Part-Time\n\nFull-Time Salary\n\nPay Range Low\n\n118,500\n\nPay Range High\n\n207,750\n\nTravel Percentage Required\n\n0% - 25%\n\nRelocation Assistance Provided?\n\nYes\n\nUS Citizenship Required?\n\nYes\n\nClearance Required?\n\nDesired\n\nClearance Level\n\nSecret\n\nSearch Jobs at | General Atomics and Affiliated Companies","company":"Generalatomic","rawCompany":"generalatomic","city":"Poway","state":"CA","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-11-15T08:25:55.430Z","occupations":[{"code":"17-2011.00","title":"Aerospace Engineers","slug":"aerospace-engineers"},{"code":"17-2141.00","title":"Mechanical Engineers","slug":"mechanical-engineers"},{"code":"17-2199.00","title":"Engineers, All Other","slug":"engineers-all-other"}],"industries":[{"code":"336411","title":"Aircraft Manufacturing","slug":"aircraft-manufacturing"},{"code":"541330","title":"Engineering Services","slug":"engineering-services"},{"code":"336413","title":"Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing","slug":"other-aircraft-parts-and-auxiliary-equipment-manufacturing"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Aero Performance CFD Engineer","description":"General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars, as well as advanced high-resolution surveillance systems.\n\nWe have an exciting opportunity for an Aero Performance CFD Engineer in the San Diego (Poway, CA) area. In this role, you will contribute directly to the design and development of next-generation unmanned aircraft platforms. Responsibilities include leading high-fidelity CFD analyses to support conceptual sizing, preliminary and detailed design, aerodynamic database development, and performance modeling, as well as supporting wind tunnel test planning, execution, and data correlation. This position offers competitive benefits, including 9/80 work schedule, medical, dental, employer-matched 401(k), pension plan, employee referral program, and more.\n\nDUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:\n\n• Lead CFD studies across conceptual, preliminary, and detailed aircraft design phases\n• Define appropriate aerodynamic modeling strategies and fidelity levels across program maturity\n• Develop high-fidelity 6DOF aerodynamic databases, including force and moment coefficients, control effectiveness, hinge moments, and propulsion-airframe interaction effects\n• Perform unsteady and maneuver-based CFD simulations to evaluate flight risk and concept feasibility\n• Conduct aerodynamic trade studies and sensitivity analyses to inform configuration-level decisions\n• Support wind tunnel and flight test planning; correlate CFD predictions to experimental data\n• Mentor junior engineers in aerodynamic modeling best practices and engineering judgment\n• Contribute to internal toolchain development, workflow automation, and advanced modeling capability\n• Participate in internal and customer-facing design reviews, test readiness reviews, flight briefings, and technical meetings.\n• Contribute to a broad swath of novel aircraft platforms ranging from Small Unmanned Air Systems (SUAS) to Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).\n\nWe recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.\n\nJob Qualifications\n\nTypically requires a bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; twelve or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, ten or more years of experience with a masters degree, or seven or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.\nDemonstrated applied experience using high-fidelity Navier–Stokes CFD solvers for aircraft aerodynamics\nExperience running CFD simulations on high-performance computing (HPC) clusters\nStrong foundational understanding of turbulence modeling, numerical methods, solver limitations, and modeling assumptions\nDemonstrated ownership of complete CFD workflows, including CAD preparation, mesh generation, solver setup, convergence assessment, and force/moment extraction\nExperience developing aerodynamic databases for flight mechanics, stability & control, or performance analysis\nStrong programming proficiency in Python and MATLAB for scientific computing and workflow automation\nAbility to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance\nAbility to work on-site during normal business hours for indeterminate periods of time as dictated by program security requirements.\n\nPREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:\nExperience with gradient-based and gradient-free optimization applied to aerodynamic shape optimization problems\nExperience developing surrogate or reduced-order models for rapid aerodynamic performance estimation\nDemonstrated validation, verification, and uncertainty quantification (UQ) of aerodynamic models\nExperience with statistical methods for design space exploration and sensitivity analysis\nExperience using or developing lower-fidelity aerodynamic tools (e.g., AVL, XFOIL, MSES), including understanding of their appropriate use and limitations\nApplied experience running unsteady and multi-body CFD simulations.\nExperience with experimental aerodynamic data processing and CFD correlation\nExperience contributing to production-quality engineering software using modern development practices\nActive DoD Secret, or higher, security clearance.\n\nJob Category\n\nEngineering\n\nExperience Level\n\nSenior (8+ years)\n\nWorkstyle\n\nOnsite\n\nFull-Time/Part-Time\n\nFull-Time Salary\n\nPay Range Low\n\n118,500\n\nPay Range High\n\n207,750\n\nTravel Percentage Required\n\n0% - 25%\n\nRelocation Assistance Provided?\n\nYes\n\nUS Citizenship Required?\n\nYes\n\nClearance Required?\n\nDesired\n\nClearance Level\n\nSecret\n\nSearch Jobs at | General Atomics and Affiliated Companies","datePosted":"2026-11-15T08:25:55.430Z","dateModified":"2026-11-15T08:25:55.430Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Generalatomic","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Poway","addressRegion":"CA","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"c05f5ea7fdb01d439be60dfc"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/c05f5ea7fdb01d439be60dfc"}}